Kenneth Wells, MS in Supply Chain Management: Leveraging Online Education to Continue a Family Legacy

Last Updated October 24, 2024

When it comes to quintessential case studies about individuals seeking education to further their career, look no further than Kenneth Wells. Leveraging the digital age to pursue advancement through higher education has led Kenneth to achieve positive results in his personal and professional life, even carrying on a family legacy with a formidable career move.

“My dedication to furthering my career is paramount,” he says. “[But] I initially thought I was not ready, and that I needed more experience before I began exploring graduate opportunities. With Covid-19 being introduced a couple of years ago, I took the opportunity to further my education as things transitioned to a more remote environment allowing for a flexible schedule to be taken advantage of.”

After learning about Michigan State University’s world-renowned and #1 ranked Supply Chain Management degree program, Kenneth decided it best fit his needs for earning a quality education to help achieve his goals in the supply chain field.

A Story of Family

Kenneth’s story is also one of family. His father worked in logistics for most of Kenneth’s life and imparted on him the importance of what delivering essential goods nationwide means for the economy, as well as its impact to the customers or consumers that need them. This inspired Kenneth to pursue the supply chain field and be a part of the orchestration of this industry.

Kenneth’s experience in the MSU supply chain graduate program has helped him take the next step in his career. He credits his Strategic Sourcing course with further developing his sourcing decision making skills and expanding upon his purchasing background. He leveraged this development towards becoming a resiliency senior buyer for General Motors. Earning a senior-level position is a singular accomplishment as a growing professional, but this career achievement comes with a strong touch of sentimentality to it as well.

“My grandmother began her journey with GM working at Chevrolet Gear and Axle in Detroit many years ago,” Kenneth says. “The concept of hard work and perseverance was introduced to me through her, and this position at GM, is essentially a dream come true. To be offered a senior level purchasing position this early in my career is an incredible honor considering GM is one of the top corporations globally revered, and where my grandmother began.”

Learning in More Ways than One

Notable for Kenneth during the online MS in Supply Chain Management program was the practicality of the material – what he learned and the environment in which he learned – and together how it complemented his skill set and prepared him for his future role.  

“To be able to converse with my cohort, which had a vast knowledge and experience base, allowed me the opportunity to assess supply chain management from a multitude of different angles,” he says. “I began to develop strategies in my professionalism influenced by my cohort members and professors that provided a wealth of knowledge.”

“My most valuable takeaway was that I acquired a newfound level of patience. There were many different concepts that I was introduced to, and it took time to grasp them all. With a positive attitude and resilience, I was able to overcome the obstacle of the unknown and add several different strategies of supply chain to my knowledge base.”

He also developed professionally and personally by understanding the value of teamwork and networking in the supply chain industry.  

“An aspect I learned within the program is the ability to work with others to reach a common objective,” he says. “A large portion of supply chain management is learning to work and listen to others within a team-based environment and this program taught me that. Everyone collectively has different viewpoints and experiences, and when we are able to combine these elements, we can reach the results we seek.”

Collaborating with his classmates and professors continued to help Kenneth gain the essential supply chain knowledge that he expects to continue to draw on in his career.

“Overall, the support I received from the new friends I acquired, as well as from the Director of the [MS in Supply Chain Management] program, Elizabeth Fisher, provided me with the confidence needed to continue pursuing my dream career path,” he says. “Ultimately, the decision to select MSU was the greatest choice I have ever made regarding my academics as it related to my profession.”

Today’s Actions, Tomorrow’s Results

Kenneth credits the supply chain program for helping him develop and unlock skills that will help him navigate the supply chain field today and in the future.

“It was literally the best decision I made regarding my education and career, and I plan to bear witness to the positive effects it will have on me and my legacy for the remainder of my life,” he says.  

The program also helped Kenneth become even more informed and knowledgeable of specialized areas of expertise, boosting his development a great deal. “My favorite instructor was Dr. Yemisi A. Bolumole. She is a phenomenal instructor whose course specializes in logistics operations,” he says. “Logistics was always an area of supply chain that fascinated me, and it was rewarding learning more about the strategic applications that apply to logistics overall.”

Kenneth also acknowledged his student success coach at Bisk – the online learning management partner with Michigan State. “My most memorable experience was when my representative informed me that I was accepted into the program, which made me the happiest person on the face of the planet at the time,” he says. “The overall experience was instrumental to my success. Especially in a primarily remote learning environment it was imperative that I had guidance, and Bisk offered that.”

Kenneth’s story is one of experiencing the possibilities of career advancement through advanced education. Developing the skills needed to succeed in the supply chain field has helped him make achievements that truly matter beyond his professional life, like carrying on a family story and legacy. When asked what practical advice he would give other students who are considering applying to this degree program, he said, “Go for it, and don’t hesitate.”

“My mother’s words to me were always ‘what you do today reflects on your life tomorrow’ and I am incredibly happy with the reflection of the future based on the decisions I made in my past.”