As I prepare to embark on a journey to earn a graduate degree in DeVry's Global Supply Chain Management, I find myself both excited and determined to deepen my understanding of supply chain dynamics and their transformative potential. My passion lies in using the Community On Demand™ Game-Based Learning Management System to help communities recognize the value of their skills, build small, localized food supply chain systems, and transform food desert communities into thriving creative economies. This degree will empower me to create a more robust, effective, and scalable solution for community engagement and development.
The Problem: Food Deserts and Skill Underutilization
In many low-income areas, food deserts represent a significant barrier to health, economic stability, and community cohesion. These regions lack access to fresh, affordable produce within a one-mile radius, leaving residents reliant on processed foods and external aid. However, the true potential of these communities lies in their untapped skills and resources. Community On Demand provides a framework for residents to identify, develop, and apply their skills to create sustainable local food systems and agritourism networks. To elevate this framework, I need a deeper understanding of the mechanics of supply chain management.
The Courses That Will Guide My Journey
The graduate program in DeVry's Global Supply Chain Management offers a diverse and practical curriculum designed to address real-world challenges. Here are some key courses I will take and how I envision applying them:
- Supply Chain Design and Analysis:
- Goal: Understand how to design efficient, resilient supply chains.
- Application: Optimize the Community On Demand framework to integrate local food producers, agritourism hubs, and distribution points in a streamlined, just-in-time supply chain system.
- Global Operations Strategy:
- Goal: Learn strategies for managing operations across diverse, interconnected networks.
- Application: Develop operational strategies that align with federal and state programs, such as HUD and DOL, to create scalable solutions for community-based economic development.
- Logistics and Distribution:
- Goal: Master logistics planning and efficient product movement.
- Application: Improve the logistics of delivering produce and value-added goods from anchor urban farms to local markets, Farm-To-Fork civic dinners, and agritourism events.
- Sustainable Supply Chain Management:
- Goal: Explore sustainability practices and green sourcing.
- Application: Embed sustainability into every level of the Community On Demand supply chain, from farm operations to packaging and delivery.
- Data Analytics for Decision Making:
- Goal: Use data analytics to drive informed decisions and forecast demand.
- Application: Integrate analytics into the Community On Demand Digital Media Network, enabling communities to visualize their contributions and outcomes in real-time.
What I Hope to Achieve
At the end of this program, I aim to emerge with more than just a degree. My vision is to enhance Community On Demand into a fully integrated community engagement platform that:
- Helps government agencies like HUD and DOL identify skill gaps in underserved areas.
- Enables state economic and workforce development agencies to support community-based initiatives with precision and efficiency.
- Empowers residents to actively participate in their local economies by contributing their skills and talents.
With the knowledge and tools gained through this program, I can refine Community On Demand into a last-mile operating supply chain management platform that provides communities with the resources and strategies to sustain themselves. The focus will remain on turning the unique contributions of residents into measurable social and economic impact, creating systems of success that are self-reliant and scalable.
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Why This Matters
Pursuing a graduate degree in Global Supply Chain Management is not just a professional goal—it’s a step toward solving systemic issues. By learning how to design and implement efficient, sustainable supply chains, I can empower communities to take control of their destinies, one skill and one meal at a time. With the Community On Demand platform, I believe we can transform food deserts into flourishing creative economies rooted in the contributions of their residents.
This journey is as much about education as it is about purpose. I look forward to integrating advanced supply chain strategies with the heart and vision of Community On Demand, creating a lasting impact in communities that need it the most.