June 22, 2020 — The Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics Master’s degree program is proud to announce that the inaugural recipient of our 2020-22 SCTL Scholarship is incoming student Valerie Cawby (MSCTL ’22). Cawby was selected from this year’s applicants to receive a $20,000 award to cover tuition expenses for the next two years, recognized for her outstanding experience designing and executing inventive solutions to supply chain challenges across multiple supply chain disciplines — including warehousing, distribution, and logistics.
“This year we received an exceptionally robust set of applicants,” said Bill Keough, Managing Director and Affiliate Professor. “We look forward to the contribution Valerie’s unique skills and experiences will make to her cohort and the program as a whole.”
Cawby, a Puyallup resident, works as a Senior Logistics and Traffic Analyst for Builders First Source, after previously managing the Traffic team for IKEA Distribution Center. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and Administrative Management from Central Washington University and Associate’s from Tacoma Community College.
We sat down with Valerie to discuss the award and how she plans to her degree to advance in her career.
SCTL: Congratulations on this award!
Valerie: Thank you so much! I’m ecstatic!
SCTL: How did you learn about our degree program and what in particular caught your attention?
Valerie: When my daughter was born in 2013 I was working as a Flow Planner, with no real goals or plans for the future. I realized very quickly that if I intended to support her in the way she deserved I would need to start going to school and developing my career. I have been working on my bachelors for the past six years with the goal of being accepted into this program. I have essentially been working towards this program since early 2014 when I started my AA at Tacoma Community College. I was very excited when I was researching degree programs and found that UW had an online Master’s degree in this field, which would allow me to continue working and caring for my children. I prefer online/distance learning and I am very grateful this program exists for my lifestyle.
SCTL: What made you interested in the field of supply chain transportation and logistics?
Valerie: I fell into logistics and distribution after high school and grew my career from there. I LOVE learning new things and this industry allows that a it is constantly changing and adapting.
SCTL: What aspect of the degree program are you most looking forward to?
Valerie: I am looking forward to learning. There is so much information out there that I don’t even know exists. I’m very excited to collaborate with other people in the industry and grow my knowledge in the supply chain field. I hope to learn and apply information to my current job with each course.
SCTL: What are you hoping to do after completing your degree?
Valerie: My goal is to become the director of transportation/logistics at my current company. After that (five years is my plan) I want to work with the Port of Tacoma.
I have essentially been working towards this program since early 2014 when I started my AA at Tacoma Community College. I was very excited when I was researching degree programs and found that UW had an online Master’s degree in this field, which would allow me to continue working and caring for my children.
Learn more:
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About the Master of Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics degree program: A work-compatible hybrid online program, the Master of Supply Chain Transportation & Logistics (MSCTL) degree is designed to enable early- and mid-career professionals to advance in their careers. Our innovative curriculum provides students with a 360-degree view of all aspects of supply chain and logistics — facility design, inventory management, data analysis, risk, IT systems, business strategy, freight transport, and performance management — so students graduate ready to make evidence-based decisions and navigate complex real-world problems.