Skylar W
- Research Program Mentor
MBA candidate at University of Tennessee
Expertise
Business
Bio
I’m currently an MBA student at the University of Tennessee’s Haslam College of Business, focusing on Supply Chain Management. I’m passionate about building supply chains that are not only efficient but also sustainable and resilient. Over the past six years, I’ve worked in aviation supply, diplomatic security, and global sourcing, and along the way I’ve discovered how much I enjoy mentoring and helping others grow while tackling tough challenges as a team. Outside of my academic and professional work, I enjoy staying active and engaged in my community. As a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, I value teamwork, leadership, and service, which I continue to foster through involvement in volunteer projects and as President of the Association of Graduate Business Veterans. I also enjoy fitness, outdoor activities, and exploring new cultures through travel.Project ideas
Optimizing Last-Mile Delivery Routes for Campus Dining Services
One possible project could focus on improving the efficiency and sustainability of last-mile deliveries for a university’s dining services. The student could collect data on current delivery routes, frequency of shipments, and product demand across different dining halls or cafes on campus. Using tools such as Excel, Tableau, or basic optimization models, the project would analyze inefficiencies and propose alternative routing or scheduling strategies. The outcome could highlight potential cost savings, reduced delivery times, and environmental benefits. This type of project is manageable in scope for a semester, teaches practical data collection and analysis skills, and demonstrates how supply chain concepts directly impact everyday operations in a familiar setting.