Students from UW-Superior recently showcased their talent at the 7th Annual Kohler Wisconsin Undergraduate Supply Chain Case Competition, hosted by Marquette University, on February 27 in Milwaukee. The event brought together top undergraduate teams from across the state, including Marquette University, UW-Eau Claire, UW-Madison, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Superior and UW-Whitewater.

Representing UW-Superior were Ashley Arndt, transportation and logistics management and supply chain management; Abel Bogale, supply chain management and business analytics; Marshall Morris, management and international business; and Binazir Sherbekova, business analytics and economics. The team was coached by Mei Cao, professor and director of the Transportation and Logistics Research Center.

This year’s case, Supply Chain Collaboration at JD.com, challenged students to analyze how digital technologies enable supply chain collaboration, evaluate benefits and risks for suppliers and propose leadership strategies to address operational challenges. Teams were given one week to analyze the case, develop solutions and prepare a 20-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A with industry judges.

The judges praised the UW-Superior team for their well-researched analysis, actionable solutions, and strong teamwork, noting how effectively each member supported one another during the Q&A session.

Students described the experience as both challenging and rewarding.

“The competition pushed us to think critically, work efficiently under pressure, and communicate our ideas clearly,” Arndt said. “One of the most valuable parts of the experience for me was working with teammates from different academic backgrounds.”

“Participating in the case competition was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had so far in college,” said Bogale. “It felt different from a regular class project because the stakes were real; we had limited time, strong competition, and the challenge of presenting our ideas to judges who truly understood the industry.”

For Marshall Morris, the competition offered a chance to expand beyond his primary field of study.

“Participating in the competition gave me a deeper appreciation for how interconnected business functions are and how supply chain strategy impacts overall firm performance,” he said. “Being part of a committed and motivated group pushed me to elevate my own performance.”

The students credited their faculty coach for her guidance throughout the preparation process, from helping structure the analysis and reviewing presentation flow to providing feedback that built their confidence.

“I am so proud of how our students represented UW-Superior,” Cao said. “They demonstrated strong analytical thinking, clear communication and professional teamwork. Their performance shows how capable and prepared our students are for real-world challenges.”

UW–Superior earned third place, securing a $500 prize provided by sponsor KOHLER. First place went to Marquette University and second place to UW-Madison.

This marks the fifth time a team from UW-Superior has participated in the competition, building on a strong history of success that includes first place in 2018 and second place in 2020 and 2025, highlighting the university’s consistent excellence in supply chain and transportation and logistics education. The achievement also reflects UW-Superior’s commitment to experiential learning, interdisciplinary education, and preparing students for leadership roles in business and the broader community.

The competition trip was made possible with support from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), the UW-Superior Alumni and Friends Foundation, and the Transportation and Logistics Research Center, which helped fund and organize travel for the team.