Cumberlands alumnus granted prestigious honor

While scrolling through LinkedIn, Dr. Robert Howard, Ed.D. ’24, came across a post from University of the Cumberlands promoting their Master’s in Supply Chain Management program, one of the newest additions to their growing list of business offerings. 

Reflecting on his experience in the Doctor in Educational Leadership - Business Specialization program and his dissertation on supply chain management, Dr. Howard felt compelled to reach out to Dr. Daniel Kanyam, Director of Graduate Business Programs. He expressed his gratitude for the program, sharing his satisfaction with his overall experience and his appreciation for the new addition to the program offerings.

“In my day job, I am president of a less-than-truckload freight company and know firsthand how important developing supply chain leaders are. So seeing the university add a program like that, I just wanted to tell you and the school to keep up the great work!” he wrote.

When Dr. Howard shared his encouraging words, he had no idea that an incredible professional opportunity was just around the corner. Shortly after contacting Cumberlands, Dr. Howard was appointed to the American Transportation Research Institute’s 2025-2026 Research Advisory Committee. Dr. Howard’s selection is a tremendous honor, as he was one of only thirty-seven individuals chosen from over a hundred and sixty applicants. 

According to a press release by the ATRI, appointed committee members will be critical in identifying and prioritizing the trucking industry’s top research needs. The ATRI also states that “RAC members represent a diverse cross-section of trucking industry stakeholders, including motor carriers, industry suppliers, commercial drivers, shippers, law enforcement, academia, and government.” 

When asked about his appointment, Dr. Howard stated, “Obviously, completing my doctorate at the University of the Cumberlands and writing my dissertation in the supply chain space played a big part in the selection.” He hopes that his recent graduation from Cumberlands, alongside his appointment to the RAC, helps shed a positive light on Supply Chain Management studies at University of the Cumberlands. 

The American Transportation Research Institute is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit research organization headquartered in Washington, D.D. The ATRI's primary mission is to “conduct transportation research, with an emphasis on the trucking industry’s essential role in a safe, efficient and viable transportation system.” 

Cumberlands’ Master of Science in Supply Chain Management is an online program consisting of thirty-one credit hours. Students complete an in-depth exploration of supply-chain systems to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully manage them for optimized operations and reduced costs. 

Forbes.com recently ranked Cumberlands No. 4 among the nation’s best Online Master’s in Management degree programs. Cumberlands offers multiple online master's degrees in business management, including project management, strategic management, and supply chain management. Learn more about Cumberlands’ academic offerings at Academics | University of the Cumberlands.