Scholarship

Jamila Spears - Florida International University

Jamila’s journey into supply chain began with a chance internship at a small e-commerce startup during her freshman year of college. That experience sparked a passion that changed the trajectory of her academic and professional life. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in supply chain management from the University of Maryland, where she also served as President of the Black Business Association and participated in global supply chain programs in Peru and Panama.

Today, Jamila is pursuing her master’s in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Florida International University while actively making her mark in the field. Her career spans the full supply chain spectrum. From manufacturing operations to demand forecasting and supply planning at companies like Nestlé Purina and Chewy. At Chewy, she currently leads high-impact vendor accounts worth over $450 million annually, facilitates process improvements, and trains peers across supply and demand planning functions.

But Jamila’s vision reaches beyond operations. As a Black woman in supply chain, she is committed to changing the face of leadership. She strives to be the visible representation she once searched for, and she champions inclusion, mentorship, and equity in every space she enters. Her belief that diverse voices are essential to solving complex global logistics challenges guides both her work and her aspirations.

We’re proud to support her journey and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next!

ULSCA Scholarship

Scholarship Overview

Founded in the mid-70s, ULSCA has flourished into a thriving community comprising members from over 30 esteemed Universities and Colleges. Our mission revolves around enhancing supply chain operations in higher education while nurturing the next generation of Supply Chain professionals.

The ULSCA Scholarship is designed to support students who are dedicated to pursuing excellence in the Supply Chain Management/Logistics industry by providing them with an award of $1,500.00.

Eligibility Criteria:

To be considered, applicants must:

Be pursuing a degree in Supply Chain Management/Logistics or related field.
Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Application Requirements:

To complete your application, please adhere to the following:

Submit all necessary documents by the specified deadline.
Provide proof of current enrollment.
Submit an unofficial copy of your current transcript.
(1) letter of recommendation from a professor, administrator, advisor, employer, or an individual with substantial knowledge of your experiences.
Compose a cover letter (1 page limit) directed to the ULSCA Scholarship Committee addressing the following points:

Background Information: Please provide a brief overview of your background, including leadership experiences that have shaped your academic journey, and any experience in the Supply Chain Management/Logistics field.

Career Goals: What motivated you to pursue a degree in Supply Chain Management/Logistics or related field, and how do you envision making a difference in this field?

The scholarship recipient will be asked to participate in a brief interview with a member of the scholarship committee to share with our general ULSCA membership.

Timeline for upcoming 2026/2027 Scholarship;

Application Period: May 1, 2026 - June 30, 2026
Review and Selection: July 2026
Award Announcement: No later than August 1, 2026
Payment Disbursement: Starting in August 2026, varies by awardee’s school/financial aid department.

The deadline to submit the application and supporting documentation is:

June 30th, 2026, at 11:59 PM.

Questions regarding the application process can be emailed to scholarship@ulsca.org.

Thank you for your interest in the ULSCA Scholarship.

The 2026/2027 scholarship application will begin accepting applications May 2026.

Applications require the following:

Proof of Current Enrollment Status
Unofficial Copy of Transcript
Cover Letter
Letter of Recommendation
Other Supporting Documents

SAMANTHA FREIRE- RUTGERS UNIVERSITy

Samantha Freire, has been awarded the 2024-2025 ULSCA Scholarship for her outstanding leadership and commitment to supply chain management.

Samantha's commitment to her field began during her high school years when she worked at a local distribution center to fund her college tuition. This early exposure ignited her interest in supply chain, leading her to pursue a degree in the field at Rutgers University. From there she has secured internships with renowned companies, like LG Electronics and Pfizer and has been recognized for her outstanding leadership with the 2023 Emerging Leadership Award.

Alongside being the Vice President of Rutgers Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), Samantha will be joining the first cohort of students in the Rutgers Road to Supply Chain Leadership program, a uniquely designed program to help future supply chain professionals develop the skills to address the challenges faced by supply chain networks today.

Samantha's aspires to make a meaningful impact in the supply chain industry, focusing on innovative solutions and sustainability. We are proud to support Samantha as she continues her journey to becoming a transformative force in supply chain management, with the ULSCA Scholarship helping her achieve these ambitious goals.

Congratulations to our 2025/2026 ULSCA Scholarship Awardee!

Jamila Spears - Florida International University

The 2026/2027 ULSCA Scholarship will begin accepting applications May 2026.

ULSCA Scholarship

Thank you for your interest in the ULSCA Scholarship.

2024/2025 ULSCA Scholarship Awardee

SAMANTHA FREIRE- RUTGERS UNIVERSITy