Arizona State University (ASU) has received a $35 million gift from the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) to enhance its Department of Supply Chain Management at the W. P. Carey School of Business. As part of this contribution, the department will be renamed the NASPO Department of Supply Chain Management.
The funding will support new academic programs, scholarships, faculty positions, research initiatives, and facility improvements. The university plans to introduce procurement-focused tracks in both undergraduate and graduate supply chain programs, as well as expand experiential learning opportunities and industry partnerships.
The donation highlights the importance of procurement in supply chains and its role in effective governance and economic stability across states and nationally. It aligns with ASU’s Changing Futures campaign priority to build resilient and sustainable global networks.
“World events in recent years have underscored our vast reliance on supply chains and the need to develop greater resilience,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow. “This gift represents a visionary contribution in one of ASU’s most globally recognized programs, deepening our shared commitment to innovation, access and impact, and ensuring that supply chain management education continues to evolve in step with the challenges and opportunities of the modern world.”
The NASPO Department is known for its high-ranking programs by U.S. News & World Report. The new investment will further emphasize procurement within supply chain education while supporting student tuition through the NASPO Scholars Program. Several endowed faculty positions will also be created.
Among other initiatives funded by the gift are the Supply Chain Innovation, Technology, and Infrastructure Initiative—a center for research and industry collaboration—and enhancements to the Center for Responsible Supply Chain Management through an endowed research fund focused on ethical practices.
“Our Department of Supply Chain Management has long been a global leader in supply chain education and research, and this bold partnership with NASPO strengthens our ability to shape the future of procurement, logistics and operations in a changing world where technology is breaking new ground every day,” said Ohad Kadan, Charles J. Robel Dean and W. P. Carey Distinguished Chair in Business.
“Together, we’re not only pushing the boundaries of what’s possible — we’re shaping the future of global supply chains. Grounded in shared values and driven by innovation, our partnership with NASPO reflects a joint commitment to creating lasting positive impact for society,” he added.
Adegoke Oke was named as the newly appointed NASPO Endowed Chair of the Department of Supply Chain Management.
“Supply chains shape the flow of goods, services and technologies that define today’s civilization,” said Adegoke Oke. “As supply chains grow in complexity, it is imperative that we advance education and research to meet the evolving needs of consumers and industries,” Oke said. “Our partnership with NASPO will enable ASU to lead that evolution by strengthening resources for students and faculty and cultivating the next generation of procurement and supply chain professionals to reach new heights of innovation and impact. NASPO’s investment is not only in our department but in the future of global supply chain leadership. On behalf of the Department of Supply Chain Management, I am deeply grateful for this partnership with NASPO.”
ASU aims to improve transparency, efficiency, traceability, reliability—especially through digital transformation—within global supply chains as part of this initiative.
“NASPO has had a long-standing relationship with the Department of Supply Chain Management at the W.P.Carey SchoolofBusinessatASU.Weareexcitedtotakethenextstepofsolidifyingourpartnership,”saidNASPOCEOLindleHatton.“Our gift represents our commitment to advancetheprocurementprofessionwithahighlyrespectedacademicpartner,”Hattonadded.”Inaddition,togetherweareenhancingthecareerpathforcurrentprocurementprofessionalsandattractingaspirationaltalentforthefuture.Wewelcomestudentswhowillfillthepipelineintheprocurementprofession,andweareexcitedtoshapethelanscapeofprocurementforthefuture.NASPOisproudtobealeaderintheprocurementevironmentwithastrongacademicpartnerlikeASU.”
Deborah Damore, presidentoftheNASPOboard,summarizedthepartnership:“The formal partnership between NASPOandArizonaStateUniversityrepresentsmorethanamilestone—it signifiesafundamentalshiftinhowwedevelopprocurementprofessionals.Together,weareestablishingformalacademicpathwaysandcredentialsthatpositionprocurementasanintentionalcareerchoiceattractingpurpose-driventalentcommittedtoinnovationandpublicsectorexcellence.”
Accordingtorecent rankings, Arizona State University has been recognized as number one in innovation by U.S.News&WorldReportforeightconsecutiveyears.Theuniversitywasalsohighlyrankedforitsundergraduatebusinessprograms,makingitwell-positionedtobenefitfromthisinvestmentinitsDepartmentofSupplyChainManagement.
This donation forms partofASU’sChangingFuturescampaign,focusingonareasincludingeducationaccess,sustainability,andtechnologydevelopment.
