Truckee Meadows Community College is launching a new Bachelor of Applied Science degree program in Logistics Operations Management, starting Fall 2016.
Local industry leaders and program advisory board members drove the structure of the degree, emphasizing certain areas that are important to companies in Northern Nevada such as decision modeling for logistics, environmental and financial sustainability, legal concepts, purchasing and global sourcing, and production and logistics information systems.
“An educated logistics workforce is absolutely critical to the continued growth of business in this area, and the Logistics Operations Management BAS degree at TMCC is set up to help fill this need,” said Darryl Bader, Chief Operating Officer of ITS Logistics. “The program can lead to a career path in logistics management and will open career growth opportunities for individuals in this field, as well as benefit existing and new businesses like us as we grow our workforce and promote from within.”
The Logistics Management and Production Systems Associate of Applied Science degrees are feeder degrees to the bachelor’s degree, providing for a cross-disciplinary program combining business and production practices necessary for logistics managers.
Reno-Sparks, a Major Logistics Hub
“Modern distribution centers are highly automated, just like advanced manufacturing centers,” said Jim New, Interim Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services. “Operating and maintaining the systems require highly skilled workers. That's the workforce we are preparing.”
Bader said that the number of jobs in logistics management are increasing, especially in the region.
“At ITS Logistics, we run a very robust logistics company specializing in dedicated transportation, warehouse and distribution and freight brokerage—and all of our divisions are really growing right now as our local economy heads in the right direction,” said Bader. “Part of the reason why is that Northern Nevada is a major logistics hub, offering next-day ground service to nearly every major U.S. city in the West. Big companies like Amazon, Zulily, Tesla, Starbucks, Urban Outfitters and Walmart are all currently operating in the area, with more coming all the time.”
Marie Murgolo-Poore, PhD, Business Division Dean, agrees that workforce needs in the field of logistics are increasing.
“For more than six years, students have not had the opportunity to stay in Nevada and earn a four-year degree in Logistics," she said. "This BAS degree allows us to keep our best and brightest. As the region grows and more and more companies move here, the demand for a well-educated workforce that can assume management positions grows as well. Our BAS Logistics Operations Management students will be ready to meet this demand.”
The degree description, learning outcomes, and courses are listed in the TMCC College Catalog.
For more information about the new Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Logistics Operations Management or how to enroll, please contact the Business Division at 775-673-7132.