Charles Zhou (B.A. Supply Chain Management ’21)
Each year since 2004, the R. Gene Richter Scholarship Program identifies the nation’s top supply chain management students. Broad Spartans have been recognized with this scholarship nearly every year since its inception, and 2020 is no different.
Rising senior Charles Zhou has been selected by the R. Gene and Nancy D. Richter Foundation and the Institute for Supply Management as one of six students nationwide to receive the scholarship. With this award, Zhou will receive $10,000 to apply toward his senior year tuition in 2020–2021.
“Personally, it has been an honor to have been acknowledged as one of the nation’s future leaders in supply chain,” Zhou said. “Being selected as a Richter Scholar is one of my top accomplishments in my career thus far. As I am very excited about this distinction, I could not have done it without the support of the faculty, family and friends. I am extremely proud to represent Michigan State University among this talented group.”
As a Richter scholar, Zhou has gained a standing invitation to ISM 2020, a leading global conference for the supply management profession, held in Boston. Despite the cancellation of this year’s conference due to the novel coronavirus, Zhou will be able to attend all future ISM conferences, alongside past Richter scholars, for special networking and mentoring programs.
“As a Richter Scholar, I have access to a vast, growing network of supply chain professionals working in diverse industries, as well as a mentorship program,” Zhou said. “With the support and guidance of this network, I will be able to grow as an individual and be well prepared to enter a full-time role.
“Being a recipient of this prestigious scholarship has further motivated me to increase my involvement within the business world,” he continued. “Over the last year, I have been extremely passionate about mentorship. The Richter experience has furthered my communication skills and knowledge, which will allow me to be a better mentor for the SCM community.”
Beyond pursuing a degree in supply chain management, Zhou is also working on minors in information technology and international business. He is actively involved on campus with MSU Supply Chain Management Association, professional business fraternity Phi Gamma Nu and the Eli Broad College of Business Mentorship Program.
Zhou has gained a lot from internship experiences with Lenovo and Microsoft and is eager to join the fast-growing and ever-changing technology industry upon graduation next year. “This is an area I enjoy and work well in, which has led me to plan on starting off my supply chain career in the technology industry,” he said. “As a future Spartan alumnus, I will look forward to staying connected with MSU students and recruiting Spartans for the organization I am with.”
