University of Washington Industry Advocacy a Boost to New Online Master’s Degree

CEE’s new online master’s degree in Supply Chain Transportation and Logistics (SCTL) will launch this fall. This fee-based program is a cooperative initiative with Professional and Continuing Education.

Anne Goodchild, SCTL director of academic operations and CEE associate professor, and Bill Keough, director of program operations and affiliate associate professor, worked for the past two years to get this program funded, approved, and staffed. The Board of Regents gave it the green light in late 2012.

Local support from within the profession was critical for success. Goodchild and Keough recruited a board of advisors composed of VP-level executives at Boeing, Costco, Starbucks, Paccar, REI, the Port of Seattle, WSDOT, and other firms.

The board has been instrumental in helping shape the program’s content to meet the skill gaps they see in the workforce, and in getting the word out to employees who could benefit from enrolling.

The program is aiming for an initial cohort of 25 students, and begins with a one-week residency at the UW in September. During this session students will meet the instructors and the advisory board, and get to know members of their cohort while completing the first course in the program, Logistics and Analysis.