NASPO Scholarship Awarded to Two SCIS Students
In recognition of their academic achievement and professional aspirations, two students from the Penn State Smeal College of Business have been selected as the 2021 National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) Scholarship recipients.
NASPO is dedicated to advancing public procurement through leadership, excellence, and integrity. The organization is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the territories of the United States. NASPO helps its members achieve success as public procurement leaders through the promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies.
Jacob Suchar and Lauren Mitchell have been awarded the distinguished scholarship. The NASPO-sponsored opportunity provides funding for students interested in a career in public procurement. Each year, the non-profit association provides the Center for Supply Chain Research® with $5,000 in funding to be awarded to eligible recipients. This year’s awardees each received $2,500 in scholarship monies.
Jacob Suchar
Suchar, a junior in the supply chain and information systems program, decided to apply for the NASPO scholarship because of his regard for the distinctions between public and private procurement.
“I enjoy how procurement is very broad and it allows me to follow the entire process of a company, all the way from requesting quotes on new products to routing customer orders for those products,” Suchar said.
As a student balancing both a supply chain course-load and a minor in corporate innovation and entrepreneurship, Suchar was able to ease some financial burdens with the funding. He added, “By lowering my debt, the scholarship has already allowed me to get a head start on my professional career.”
Lauren Mitchell
Similarly, Mitchell notes receiving the scholarship has been, “extremely helpful in assisting me with my academic pursuits.” The Maryland native, majoring in supply chain and information systems and minoring in international business and Jewish studies, is now able to focus more on her career goals and less on financial stressors.
Why a procurement-focused scholarship for this awardee? Mitchell recognized the opportunity paired her academic interests with her preferred career placement.
“I am interested in procurement because it connects supply chain with government projects and initiatives, which are two fields I have always wanted to explore,” Mitchell said. “My mom has worked for the government for over 30 years, allowing me to see the benefits and experiences she has had throughout her career.”
Both scholarship recipients look to graduate in spring 2023 and pursue their respective interests in procurement. Learn more about NASPO here.
