What Is It Really Like to Earn MSU’s Supply Chain Management Graduate Degree?

Last Updated September 10, 2026

Four graduates of Michigan State University’s Supply Chain Management online graduate program — spanning 2014 to 2024 — recently sat down for an alumni panel to share what the experience looked like: not admissions marketing, but real accounts of balancing full-time careers, choosing the program over competitors, and what happened to their careers afterward. Their stories, and what they reveal about the program, are below.

The panelists:

• Rand Still (2014 graduate) — President of Artiflex, an automotive tooling and manufacturing firm; previously COO of the nation’s largest fabrication company
• RoxAnne Thomas (2021 graduate) — Frozen Execution & Transportation Manager at Nestlé
• Kasey Harling (2024 graduate) — Senior Manager of Strategic Sourcing & Commodity Management at RTX (Raytheon), a military veteran
• David Goro (2023 graduate) — Senior Manager of Planning & Operations at Carter’s, overseeing its Amazon business

Why Did These Professionals Choose MSU Over Other Programs?

Every panelist compared MSU directly against other well-known programs — Northwestern, Penn State, and others — before choosing MSU, and the deciding factors were remarkably consistent: flexibility around full-time work, the program’s top ranking, and how responsive the school was during the admissions process itself.

RoxAnne Thomas considered Northwestern and Elmhurst College but ruled out programs requiring every weekend on campus, since she was working full-time with two children at home. Kasey Harling, who compared MSU against Penn State and other large-name schools, pointed to how easily the program worked with his military benefits and unconventional schedule as a former railroad conductor, something he says he didn’t experience elsewhere.

Can You Balance This Program With a Full-Time Job and Family?

Yes, but every panelist was direct that it requires real structure, not just good intentions. RoxAnne Thomas, who went through the program during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic while working in international transportation and raising two children, created two physically separate workspaces in her home: one for work, one for school, so her brain could clearly switch contexts.

Common strategies panelists described for making the balance work:

1. Physically separate your “modes” — a different room, computer, or workspace for coursework versus work or family time
2. Lean on employer support — several panelists described employers who accommodated schedules once they saw the value of what was being learned
3. Use your cohort and professors as real support, not just contacts — panelists described faculty making themselves available outside normal hours when needed
4. Apply your capstone project to real work challenges you’re already facing, so coursework and your job reinforce each other rather than competing for separate time

What Happens If You Don’t Have a Traditional Supply Chain or Math Background?

You’re not automatically disqualified, the program’s admissions process is described as a genuine, individualized conversation rather than a rigid checklist. Kasey Harling had no supervisory title going in; RoxAnne Thomas held a communications and French degree with no math coursework since high school and was concerned about the program’s required statistics course.

What happened: Rather than a form rejection, RoxAnne received a direct phone call from the program discussing the specific gap and whether it would be a problem, followed by targeted resources (readings, practice materials) to help her prepare before the term even started. That statistics course ended up being her hardest class, but she credits the early, honest conversation and the resources provided beforehand with making it possible to close the gap.

What Is the Capstone Project, and Does It Apply to Real Work?

The capstone is an independent research project driven by the student’s own professional context, not a generic academic exercise. Multiple panelists used it to solve a real, active problem at their employer:

Alumnus	Capstone Focus	Real-World Application
Rand Still	Porter’s Five Forces market analysis	Later reused directly in a leadership strategy discussion; the project was ultimately published
David Goro	TMS (transportation management system) implementation and change management	Documented the cross-functional resourcing gaps his organization needed to plan for in future system changes
RoxAnne Thomas	Packaging optimization and RFID implementation	Applied directly to an active packaging cost-reduction and inventory-tracking initiative at her employer
Kasey Harling	Railroad infrastructure modernization and autonomy	Researched global rail automation trends; some concepts have since been adopted industry-wide

How Strong Is the Alumni Network After Graduation?

Notably strong and self-sustaining, according to every panelist. Rand Still still talks regularly, a decade later, with a classmate he co-authored a published paper with. RoxAnne Thomas described an active group chat among her cohort that lit up when a classmate landed a job at SpaceX, and noted that at least four members of her cohort alone have moved through Amazon’s doors since graduating.

The “Go Green, Go White” identity extends well beyond the classroom. Panelists described spontaneous exchanges with strangers wearing MSU gear in airports, on vacation, even on an international surfing trip, along with LinkedIn engagement where entire cohorts show up to support each other’s career updates and milestones.

What Careers Have Graduates Actually Gone On To?

Based on this panel alone, graduates have moved into senior leadership roles across a range of industries — automotive manufacturing, consumer goods, aerospace/defense, and food and beverage:

• Rand Still advanced to COO of a major fabrication company, then President of an automotive manufacturing firm
• RoxAnne Thomas moved into a transportation leadership role at Nestlé, one of the world’s largest food companies
• Kasey Harling was hired by Collins Aerospace mid-program and now leads strategic sourcing for RTX’s missile programs business unit
• David Goro leads planning and operations for a major children’s retail brand’s Amazon business, and is transitioning into a more AI-focused supply chain role

Frequently Asked Questions

Is MSU’s Supply Chain Management graduate program flexible enough for working professionals?

Yes. All four panelists worked full-time throughout the program, and several also managed family responsibilities, extensive travel, or global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic during their studies.

Do I need a traditional supply chain or quantitative background to be admitted?

Not necessarily. Admissions reviews are described as individualized conversations rather than rigid checklists. One panelist with no math coursework since high school was accepted after a direct conversation about the gap and given preparatory resources.

What is the capstone/research project?

It’s an independent research project shaped around the student’s own professional context, allowing many students to apply their coursework directly to a real, active challenge at their employer.

Is there real support if I’m struggling to balance work, school, and life?

Panelists described consistent faculty availability outside normal hours, proactive program administration support (including direct coordination with military benefits offices for veteran students), and strong peer support within cohorts.

Does the alumni network provide real value after graduation?

Yes, according to every panelist. Alumni described ongoing personal friendships, active group chats, direct hiring referrals between classmates, and instant recognition and camaraderie with fellow alumni encountered anywhere in the world.

Hear Their Full Conversation

These are just the highlights, the full alumni panel conversation covers additional detail on each graduate’s experience, career trajectory, and advice for prospective students considering the program. If you’re weighing whether this program fits your own career goals and schedule, hearing directly from people who’ve done it is one of the most useful ways to find out.

To learn more about the online M.S. in Supply Chain Management program at Michigan State University, read here.