Academics

Alumnus springboards supply chain career with master of professional studies

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Humberto Coronado was the manager of corporate and strategic relations for the transportation and logistics markets at American Public University when he decided to pursue a master of professional studies degree in supply chain management through the Penn State Smeal College of Business.

Today, he’s the associate director for the master’s program in supply chain management at the University of Maryland Robert H. Smith School of Business.

“Prior to the program, I had accrued some experience in logistics and supply chain management, and I believed I could enhance my competitive profile in the marketplace by complementing my job experience with a specialized degree,” said Coronado. “After researching different programs available, I found out that Penn State was not only ranked No. 1 in supply chain education, but it also offered an amazing value for my investment.”

Coronado said that the supply chain management master’s program, which is offered online in conjunction with Penn State’s World Campus, provided the education and credentials he needed to move into a position with greater responsibility and growth potential.

“In my current position as associate director for the master’s in supply chain management program at UM, I also serve as an adjunct professor,” he said. “While I had some teaching experience before, I had never taught supply chain-related topics. The degree provided me with the credibility I needed to break into a new and very rewarding field.”

The online delivery of the Penn State Smeal master of professional studies in supply chain management degree allows its students to pursue an advanced, specialized degree without disrupting the trajectory of their careers.

“Pursuing my degree online offered an opportunity for me to find balance in my life,” said Coronado. “As students, we interacted with each other in every class through different group projects and learned new ways to leverage available technologies to integrate collaboration into geographically dispersed groups.”

Supply chain management is a growing field, and the value that supply chain management professionals bring to their organizations is becoming more apparent, Coronado said.

“Organizations are realizing more and more that their success comes as a function of the success of the entire network, and that collaboration and alignment across the network can bring about a great impact on their bottom line.”

The Smeal College of Business master of professional studies in supply chain management program enables students to accelerate their careers with the institution ranked No. 1 for supply chain education. The 30-credit, two-year degree program is delivered online in partnership with Penn State World Campus and is designed to fit the schedules of working professionals. Smeal also offers a 12-credit graduate certificate in supply chain management. Learn more at www.smeal.psu.edu/mps.

Smeal’s No. 1 supply chain program offers a comprehensive suite of supply chain education, beginning at the undergraduate level with a bachelor’s degree in supply chain and information systems. In conjunction with Penn State's World Campus, students can earn a master of professional studies in supply chain management. The Penn State Smeal master of business administration program offers a concentration in supply chain management, and the college also offers a doctorate in supply chain. Smeal’s Center for Supply Chain Research and Penn State Executive Programs offer certificate programs in supply chain management and supply chain leadership.

Last Updated January 17, 2014

Contacts