Meet Judith Whipple, the Broad College’s interim dean

Editor’s note: The title of this article was updated on September 9, 2022 to reflect the Board of Trustees approval of Judith Whipple as interim dean.

Judith Whipple, Donald J. Bowersox and Robert W. Thull Professor in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, has been selected to serve as interim dean designee for Michigan State University’s Broad College of Business. In addition, Provost Teresa K. Woodruff has recommended Whipple as interim dean, pending approval by the MSU Board of Trustees at their meeting on Sept. 9.

Judith Whipple

“I am honored to serve the Broad College of Business in this capacity at a time of great momentum and growth for the college,” Whipple said. “The college is well positioned to advance the aspirations of our Broad 2030 strategic plan, focusing on key initiatives that will empower us to fulfill our mission of creating and disseminating knowledge through collaboration while also developing transformational leaders who make positive impacts around the globe.”

Whipple, an award-winning scholar and teacher, has been a faculty member at MSU since 1998 and with the Broad College specifically since 2006. Her extensive experience in the classroom has led her to teach at every level, from undergraduate students to Full-Time and Executive MBA students to doctoral candidates. In addition, Whipple has served as the faculty director of the college’s M.S. in Supply Chain Management program since 2018.

Beyond academia, Whipple is well reputed among business professionals and supply chain industry practitioners. She has given hundreds of presentations and trainings at international and national meetings and conferences and for companies like Proctor & Gamble, Meijer, Steelcase, General Dynamics and Parker Hannifin.

Whipple truly is a Spartan for life, having grown up in the Lansing area and becoming a proud Broad alumna in 1994, when she earned her Ph.D. in marketing and logistics. “As an alumna, one of the highlights of my career has been returning to the Broad College as faculty and being able to join the No. 1 supply chain management programs,” she said. “Helping to lead the programs that were instrumental in my own career has certainly been special.”

She brings a comprehensive perspective to the interim dean role, not only knowing the ins and outs of the Broad College experience as a student and faculty member but also as a parent. Whipple has three children who have followed in her footsteps to become Spartans, including her daughter, Lydia, who graduated with a degree in supply chain management in 2021. Whipple had the unique honor of introducing Lydia on stage as a student commencement speaker, which she describes as an incredibly proud and special moment.

Today, Whipple’s research interests include supply chain integration and collaboration. She currently serves on the board of directors of the Institute for Supply Management, and she previously served on the board of directors of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals, chaired its Research Strategies Committee and co-chaired its Supply Chain Innovation Award.

As interim dean designee, Whipple is eager to build upon the college’s successes and accomplishments to continue fostering a connected and engaged community.

“I believe in our mission and know that our research, teaching and outreach across our college comprise a strong core for the work we do to support the Broad Spartan community,” Whipple said. “Our faculty are conducting relevant research that solves real industry problems, and through partnerships and collaboration, we bring that knowledge and expertise into our classrooms to ensure students are career ready. I am excited about being able to re-engage with the entire community as our faculty, staff and students return to campus for the upcoming fall semester.”

For more information about Provost Teresa K. Woodruff’s recommendation of Judith Whipple for interim dean, visit msutoday.msu.edu.