VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

Virginia Commonwealth University and the Army Logistics University, Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM), at Fort Lee this week finalized an agreement to develop a Master of Supply Chain Management program emphasizing innovation, critical thinking and logistics management.

The degree agreement was formally approved on Dec. 4 in a signing ceremony at the VCU School of Business. Michael Rao, Ph.D., president of VCU, and MG Larry D. Wyche, Commanding General of the Combined Arms Support Command, signed the documents cementing the agreement.

“I am proud to inaugurate an academic program that will be critically important for Central Virginia,” Rao said. “Central Virginia — led by VCU and Fort Lee — needs to be a national model for innovative logistics and supply chain management. At VCU, we understand this, and I’m so proud that my colleagues in the School of Business have become national leaders in this area.”

The 12-month Master of Supply Chain Management program, slated to begin in fall 2014 in the VCU School of Business, places special emphasis on innovation and creative thinking and the use and application of SAP enterprise software. Students will learn how to manage the complexities of global supply chains by using applied research programs, analyzing real-world problems and working with local firms and government agencies. The program will draw students from the corporate sector as well from the military, providing both the unique opportunity to learn from each other.

“One of the most important things we do in our Army is develop leaders,” Wyche said. “Develop
leaders who are going to lead our great Army and this nation one day. We’re in the logistics
business, and this course we truly believe will set our logisticians apart.”

The program still requires approval from the VCU Board of Visitors and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

“This is a great collaboration,” said Ed Grier, dean of the VCU School of Business. “Today is ceremonial but it’s only the beginning. We’re looking forward to a long, long relationship with our partners just down the road.”

CASCOM, a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, is responsible for training more than 185,000 students annually through more than 540 courses taught by the Ordnance, Quartermaster and Transportation schools, Soldier Support Institute and the Army Logistics University. The mission for the command is to train, educate and grow the sustainment community as well as develop and integrate innovative Army and joint sustainment capabilities, concepts and doctrine to enable Unified Land Operations.