Academics

Huff named director of online supply chain graduate programs at Penn State Smeal

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — David Huff, clinical professor of supply chain management at the Penn State Smeal College of Business, has been named director of online graduate programs in supply chain management.

The director helps set the strategic direction and vision for the college’s master of professional studies in supply chain management and the graduate certificate in supply chain management, programs offered online in partnership with Penn State World Campus.

Huff, who will also work to identify and cultivate relationships with corporate partners in his role as director, joined Smeal in 2004. He holds a doctorate in operations management and a master’s in management science methods, both from the University of Rochester. He also earned a master’s in mathematics from Brigham Young University and a bachelor’s in mathematics from Utah State University.

Smeal is a leader in supply chain education. The college recently was again ranked No. 1 in both graduate and undergraduate education by Gartner Inc., rankings Smeal has held continuously since Gartner started producing them in 2009.

More than 400 students are enrolled across Smeal’s master’s and certificate programs, which were recently updated as the result of a curricular review led by former director Gary Gittings in collaboration with Smeal faculty and corporate partners affiliated with the college’s Center for Supply Chain Research.

“We examined the current state of practice in supply chain management as well as what’s coming on the horizon and introduced enhancements to our programs. This is to ensure we stay on the front edge as the industry continues to evolve,” Huff said.

Among the changes to the curriculum are a greater emphasis on the financial aspects of supply chains and a focus on the ethics of supply chain decision-making.

“Smeal has demonstrated a clear commitment to developing ethics curriculum,” Huff said. “We are leading in this area.”

And, Huff said, the online programs have been restructured so that students can take five credits each semester. Because of that, students are eligible to apply for federal financial aid throughout the two-year program.

More information on both programs can be found online.

About supply chain education at Smeal
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 MBA 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 October 3, 2016

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