Each year, the R. Gene Richter Scholarship Program identifies the future leaders of supply management and strives to further prepare those individuals through tuition assistance, unique executive mentoring and networking. Since the program’s inception in 2004, an outstanding total of 26 MSU students have become Richter scholars, and this year, a Broad Spartan is yet again recognized among the nation’s best.
Julia Lower, rising supply chain management senior
Rising senior Julia Lower has been selected by the R. Gene and Nancy D. Richter Foundation and the Institute for Supply Management as one of four students nationwide to receive the 2021 scholarship. With this award, Lower will receive $10,000 to apply toward her senior year tuition in 2021–22.
“Being a Richter Scholar means I have a community of support that believes in me as a leader in the supply chain field,” Lower said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime recognition that I am humbled to receive and even more excited to explore my opportunities ahead. Having an amazing network of supply chain leaders is inspiring and makes me very hopeful for the future of supply chain management.”
Through the Richter Program, Lower will be invited to attend special networking events such as the annual International Supply Chain Management Conference, sponsored by ISM, which will be held virtually this year in May. All four of the selected recipients will also be enrolled into executive and junior mentoring programs to gain personalized mentorship from an established executive and a former Richter scholar.
The Broad College’s Department of Supply Chain Management actively promotes this opportunity to its students and invites alumni who have won this prestigious scholarship to return to campus to share personal experiences with current recipients. Not only are the financial benefits helpful to students, but the mentoring and lifelong networking opportunities that recipients receive make this scholarship unlike anything else.
“I look forward to building a supportive, diverse network of professionals, learning from them and sharing my wisdom with those around me,” Lower said. “As supply chain becomes more global, technological and sustainable, I plan on utilizing my network to explore international business and research sustainable solutions that will have a positive impact on value chains and the environment.”
Beyond pursuing a degree in supply chain management, Lower is working towards a minor in entrepreneurship and innovation. She has been involved on campus through leadership roles such as senior vice president in the Broad Student Senate. In the upcoming 2021–22 school year, Lower looks forward to taking on new roles as the president of Spectrum Consulting Group and a management consulting peer coach for the Russell Palmer Career Center.
“She is a very impressive person and a great ambassador of MSU, the Broad College of Business and the Department of Supply Chain Management,” Kelly Lynch, director of corporate and student relations for the department, said. “Julia makes herself available to help all Broad students find the college to be an institution that is dedicated to helping them achieve their aspirations.”
Lower also has gained a variety of experience through internships with PepsiCo, Ingersoll Rand and DTE Energy, and she is excited to take on an internship at Kearney this summer.
“I have gained so much perspective through my academic career and past internship experience. Consistently, I am challenged to learn new concepts, work in different team environments and think differently about what it means to be successful,” she said. “My relationships with my peers, mentors and colleagues have been incredibly valuable during this learning experience.
“In the future, I plan on entering the consulting field and specialize in supply chain projects. The pandemic has proven the world of supply chain is changing,” she continued. “I want to be part of the community that solves our world’s most pressing supply chain issues and shapes the future of business.”
