LEXINGTON, Ky. (November 3, 2026) —The University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics has launched a new Undergraduate Certificate in Supply Chain Management, giving students across UK an opportunity to develop skills in one of the most essential and rapidly evolving areas of business.
The 12-credit-hour certificate is designed to complement students' primary fields of study while introducing them to the processes and decisions that keep goods and services moving through the global economy.
For Gatton College, the certificate is an important expansion of its supply chain education offerings, creating a new undergraduate pathway in a field closely connected to Kentucky's economy.
"There are significant manufacturing and supply chain companies and operations throughout Kentucky," said Tom Groleau, director of Gatton's supply chain management programs. "It's not just Toyota and bourbon."
While Gatton has an established Master of Science in Supply Chain Management program and longstanding industry relationships, students previously had no dedicated undergraduate credential in the field.
The new certificate introduces students to key areas of supply chain management, including logistics, sourcing, operations and analytics. Through coursework and real-world case studies, students will explore how organizations manage complex networks of suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and customers.
Although the certificate was initially envisioned as a natural complement for marketing majors, Groleau sees its potential extending well beyond Gatton College.
"It could be a great option for any student who likes to solve problems," he said. "It's also a natural global business topic. Raw materials travel all over the world before finished goods end up in our stores."
That broad applicability is central to the certificate's design. Students pursuing careers in engineering, health care, agriculture, technology and other disciplines can benefit from understanding the supply chains that support their industries.
"Supply chain decisions aren't made only by business majors," said Dan Sheehan, chair of Gatton's Department of Marketing and Supply Chain. "Opening the certificate across campus lets students pair their technical expertise with that supply chain perspective, which makes them more valuable to employers."
The launch comes at a time when global events have brought greater attention to the complexity and importance of supply chains.
From pandemic-related shortages to shipping disruptions and geopolitical uncertainty, businesses must continually adapt to challenges affecting the movement of goods and availability of materials.
"Those sorts of disruptions are partly why there are good job opportunities," Groleau said. "There are constant changes in weather, politics, commodity prices ... Therefore, there are always new challenges in supply chain management."
Those challenges are particularly relevant in Kentucky, where manufacturing, transportation and distribution are major components of the state's economy.
Located within a day's drive of roughly two-thirds of the U.S. population, Kentucky is home to significant logistics infrastructure, including UPS Worldport in Louisville and the Amazon Air and DHL hubs at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.
For Sheehan, that geographic advantage creates a compelling opportunity to prepare students for careers in an industry with a substantial regional presence.
"Employers consistently tell us they need graduates who can think across functions, work comfortably with data, and manage complexity and disruption," Sheehan said. "This certificate isn't only about filling a gap in Gatton's offerings. It's about building the supply chain expertise that Kentucky's workforce, and the broader region's, depends on."
The certificate also builds on Gatton's existing supply chain resources, including its graduate program and the Supply Chain Forum, which connects students, faculty and industry professionals.
Students who complete the certificate may use it to pursue entry-level opportunities in supply chain management or as an introduction to the field before considering graduate study.
Groleau hopes the certificate will also serve as a foundation for continued growth in undergraduate supply chain education.
"If the certificate can attract the attention of our students, then I think more could be possible in a few years," he said.
For Sheehan, the launch is part of a longer-term vision to make Gatton College a regional destination for supply chain education at every stage of a professional's career.
"Our long-term goal is for Gatton to be the region's home for supply chain education at every level, from a student's first course to working professionals advancing their careers, backed by strong faculty expertise and close partnerships with industry."
Students interested in the certificate can learn more about its requirements and curriculum through UK's academic program website.
