Supply chain management professionals manage materials throughout the manufacturing and distribution process to make sure that the right products hit the right stores at the right time. Many of these professionals decide to level up their career by pursuing a Master of Supply Chain Management (MSCM) degree at the Sam M. Walton College of Business.
Professionals like Jace Heck, a buyer for Leonardo DRS in West Plains, Missouri, was ready to do just that. She earned her bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from Walton College in 2024. She then turned her sights toward a graduate degree.
Walton College offers two choices for the MSCM degree:
- 100% Online Option
- Dallas On-Site Experiences Option
Jace considered both options, but her friend and fellow classmate, Kroopa Gandhi, tipped the scales for the in-person experience in Dallas.
“My friend Kroopa, who I met when we lived together during our international internship in Mauritius (east of Madagascar), told me that she was doing the Dallas program,” Jace said. “I knew that I needed social interaction with my peers to truly grasp the concepts, and I am so grateful for that decision.”
With its online delivery method, both options are flexible for Jace and Kroopa, but the Dallas option includes two weekend immersion sessions per semester. The weekend events incorporate company visits, hands-on problem solving and face-to-face instruction with faculty and industry leaders.
To participate in class, Jace travels from her home in Missouri to Dallas – an 8-hour trip by car – for two weekends each semester.
“Let's be real, I am a terrible driver, so I have no business driving in Dallas (ha!),” Jace said. “I drive to the nearest airport, which is two hours away, and fly down to Dallas. The networking and exposure are absolutely worth it.”
For Kroopa, who lives in Fayetteville, the drive is easier.
“It is not bad at all! It is about a 5-6 hour drive,” she said. “I have family there, so I’m used to making the trip. It’s even better now that I can go for the SCM program and catch up with them while I’m there.”
The Dallas option supplements their online class experience with in-person networking, tours and more.
“My experience in the Dallas program has been wonderful,” Jace shared. “We toured Alcon's distribution center. We heard from Chika Chukwuogo, their Global Head of Warehouse Distribution. Chika then came to our class the next day and gave us a case study on global distribution that was SO hard! It feels great to have someone like Chika in our corner.”
The classes have been valuable and relatable for Jace.
“Dr. (David) Dobrzykowski asked multiple times over the course of our weekend if we learned something. I have found that there is no right or wrong answer when you truly are trying to learn,” she said. “We all have different experiences and perspectives! I also love having a career now so that I can truly comprehend and apply what we are learning. Concepts read in a book are great, but true understanding from past experiences is irreplaceable.”
Kroopa agrees.
“The immersive weekends in DFW area have been especially valuable,” Kroopa said. “On our most recent trip we toured a distribution center, heard career stories directly from professionals, and connected with my cohort face to face. Academically, I’m deepening skills in demand forecasting, inventory management, distribution, customer service, supply chain strategy, and building on my undergraduate foundation. The professors are another reason I chose this program. They are deeply passionate about supply chain and push us to think critically through real cases and data-driven discussions. I’m excited for this next phase, where coursework and industry exposure come together to launch my career.”
Jace and Kroopa hope to graduate in December 2026 with their Master of Supply Chain Management. In addition to their degree, they will leave with new connections, skill sets and concepts.
