#1284: June 13, 2012
New Partnership Supports Workforce Development for Logistics
Savannah Technical College and Georgia Southern University sign articulation agreement for Logistics Management programs
SAVANNAH – Savannah Technical College President Kathy Love, Ed.D. and Georgia Southern University President Brooks Keel, Ph.D. signed an articulation agreement today for Logistics Management between the two institutions of higher education.
“We are pleased to announce the beginning of an important partnership for workforce development in our region,” said Love. “This agreement makes this critically important program accessible not only for Savannah, but for all of Coastal Georgia.”
The articulation agreement lays the foundation for students to complete a new 74-credit hour associate of science degree in Logistics Management at Savannah Tech. Students will then be able to articulate or transfer their coursework in its entirety to Georgia Southern University toward the bachelor’s degree in business administration, logistics and intermodal transportation.
“This new partnership is great for students, great for the state of Georgia and great for both area and international business,” said Keel. “With the growth of the port in Savannah as well as others on the east coast of the United States, there is a growing demand for well-educated and well-trained professionals in the field of logistics. This agreement ensures that we will be able to supply a steady and outstanding pipeline of talent to area businesses for years to come.”
The agreement next goes to both governing boards for endorsement. Savannah Technical College projects to begin offering the program beginning with the fall 2012 semester. Upon board approval, Savannah Technical College will be the first college in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to offer an associate of science degree in Logistics Management. In addition to general core courses, the program will feature 14 semester hours in logistics-related coursework – including supply chain management, transportation and logistics management, warehousing technology and materials management.
“This program of study grew out of the regional partnership we forged together while working on a regional Work Ready grant to improve workforce development along the I-95 corridor,” said Love. “Today we mark an important step toward actualizing that goal of providing the full range of career development in logistics for southeast Georgia.”
The Department of Management, Marketing and Logistics in the College of Business Administration at Georgia Southern offers the bachelor of business administration (BBA) degree in the area of Logistics and Intermodal Transportation (LIT). This degree is one of Georgia Southern’s fastest growing majors serving the needs of a dynamic industry. Logistics involves ensuring the availability of the right product, in the right quantity and the right condition, at the right place, at the right time, for the right customer, at the right cost. Intermodal transportation is combining the cost and/or service advantages of more than one mode of transportation in an efficient, seamless product movement.
The degree prepares students for the many jobs available in this challenging and rapidly expanding field. LIT courses focus on logistics and transportation concepts and principles. Advanced courses focus on logistics operations, international logistics, and intermodal distribution issues.
Thanks to an agreement signed earlier this year by the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents, there are now 27 core curriculum courses transferrable to USG institutions from TCSG institutions accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. The increased number of courses enhances how TCSG students are able to pursue baccalaureate degree opportunities at USG institutions. The new articulation agreement provides Savannah Tech students a pathway to transfer their courses to the Logistics and Intermodal Transportation BBA degree from Georgia Southern.
“Long term, Georgia Southern is looking at how higher education can better serve the needs of students in Georgia. We must ensure that we are remaining competitive on a national and global level,” said Keel. “This collaborative partnership is just the beginning. It is a great example of how we can partner to not only put our students in a position to win, but to have a positive and lasting impact on workforce and economic development in our region.”
Savannah Technical College serves Coastal Georgia with quality, market-driven technical education with campus locations in Chatham, Effingham and Liberty Counties. Serving more than 4,500 credit students each semester, Savannah Tech offers nearly 100 different instructional programs in Business and Technology, Public Service, Industrial Technology, and Health Sciences in addition to Adult Education classes, industry-specific training and continuing education. The College serves as an economic and community development partner for the region, offering corporate and customized training and assessment programs for business and industry. The College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.
Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 120 degree programs serving more than 20,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University is one of the Top 10 most popular universities in the nation according to U.S. News & World Report, and is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.
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Media Contacts:
Amy Shaffer, APR
Savannah Technical College
912.443.5512
ashaffer@savannahtech.edu
Christian Flathman
Georgia Southern
University
912.478.6397
cflathman@georgiasouthern.edu
FACT SHEET
Logistics Management Articulation Agreement
- The Savannah Tech/Georgia Southern Logistics Management Articulation Agreement lays the foundation for students to complete a new 74-credit hour associate of science degree in Logistics Management at Savannah Tech. Students will then be able to articulate or transfer their coursework in its entirety to Georgia Southern University toward the bachelor’s degree in business administration, logistics and intermodal transportation.
- The agreement next goes to both governing boards for endorsement. Savannah Tech projects to begin offering the program in the fall 2012 semester.
- Upon governing board approvals, Savannah Tech will be the first college in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to offer an associate of science degree in Logistics Management.
- In addition to general core courses, the program will feature 14 semester hours in logistics-related coursework (see course list below) – including supply chain management, transportation and logistics management, warehousing technology and materials management.
Logistics in Georgia
- The State of Georgia is strategically located as the gateway to the American Southeast. It has a strong collection of competitive assets including two Class 1 rail lines, the busiest airport in the world and the nation’s fastest growing port. These assets work together to move people and goods efficiently.
- Georgia’s deepwater ports support 352,146 direct and indirect jobs across the state, according to a FY2011 study. Georgia deepwater ports now account for 8.3 percent of total state employment, or one out of 12 jobs.
- According to Georgia’s Center of Innovation for Logistics, there are 11,000 logistics providers in Georgia.
- The State of Georgia has created a task force that is developing a statewide freight and logistics action plan to make Georgia the global gateway of choice, providing reduced time to market, superior supply-chain efficiency and reliability from origin to end user.
Savannah Technical College’s Proposed Logistics-Related Coursework for Logistics Management Associate of Science Degree
- SCMA 1000 Introduction to Supply Chain Management: This course provides a general knowledge of Supply Chain Management (SCM) and the associated functions necessary for delivered goods and services to customers. The course will focus on what employees and managers must do to ensure an effective Supply chain exists in their organization. Topics include: Introduction to SCM, E-Commerce, Material Management, Information Technology, Measuring SCM performance, Purchasing and Distribution, and Research and Case Studies. (3 semester hours)
- SCMA 1003 Introduction to Transportation and Logistics Management: Businesses today cannot be competitive without a good transportation and logistics network. This course introduces the five basic forms of transportation and provides an understanding of the economic fundamentals underlying each mode. Students then discuss ways in which today’s supply chain manager can use these transportation modes to achieve efficiencies and cost effectiveness necessary for a company to survive in today’s global markets. (3 semester hours)
- CWDS 1600 Warehousing Technology Skills: Provides an overview study of the technology used in the warehousing environment. Topics include data applications, scanners and data entry machines, handling systems, automation, and inventory management. A warehousing simulation and comprehensive assessment is also part of this course. (2 semester hours)
- LOGI 1020 Materials Management: This course will introduce students to materials management by learning the planning production process, master scheduling, material requirements, and forecasting material demands and inventory levels. This course is designed to build on the students’ knowledge of supply chains and how effective material management improves supply chain performance. (3 semester hours)
- BUSN 1320 Business Interaction Skills: This course equips participants with the tools to communicate and interact more effectively in person, in writing and on the telephone with both internal and external customers. Participants also learn how to work in teams to create a collaborative environment for accomplishing goals. This course consists of the following: language of business, communication skills, working with information, business writing, team and collaborative skills and resolving interpersonal conflict. (3 semester hours)