4 Students in Global Logistics Specialist Program at CSULB Receive Scholarships from Los Angeles Transportation Club

Helping Cal State Long Beach (CSULB) supply quality shipping industry professionals to the workforce in port cities like Long Beach, the Los Angeles Transportation Club (LATC) recently named four Global Logistics Specialist (GLS) students at CSULB as recipients of its 2009 scholarships.

This year the LATC received the largest amount of scholarship applications in its history to compete for a total of $22,000 in awards. Each CSULB recipient will receive $3,500.

All four scholars are currently employed college graduates or working students studying in the GLS program within the campus’ Center for International Trade and Transportation. GLS is the only program of its kind on the West Coast and has been overwhelmingly successful since its debut in January 1997.

The CSULB scholars are:

• Jannine Mongeon, who is from Palos Verdes Estates and holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Lima and a master’s degree in business administration from the Graduate School of Business Administration in Lima;
• Hee Jung (Heidi) Kim, who is from Orange and holds a bachelor’s degree in hotel, tourism management and public administration from Sejong University in Korea;
• Hector Calderon is currently working on a bachelor’s of arts degree in international business administration at San Diego State University;
• Noemi Zepeda is currently working in the industry as a customer service representative at Paramount Global Services. She has an associate’s degree in business management from Cerritos College.

“I felt so blessed, grateful and happy when I found out I got the scholarship. The money will help me to start a business or continue studying,” said Mongeon. “The Global Logistics Specialist program is very good. The instructors show a lot of support in helping us achieve our goals and finish the program. In the program, I learned the right industry terminology, which was important to me because all transactions, business and goods need transportation that is on time, the most economical and at top quality.”

The GLS program at CSULB is a ship-to-shelf training solution for those involved in the international movement of goods. It is endorsed by industry professionals as a comprehensive educational program for individuals entering or seeking advancement in the supply chain and logistics industry. A GLS designation enhances students’ marketability and opportunities for advancement in the industry.

GLS is designed in a flexible format. Through innovative delivery methods and extensive class participation and involvement, students work with and solve real transportation issues. The program is taught for the industry by the industry, providing students with the opportunity to interact and network with professionals from various segments of the supply chain.

“I believe that the GLS program could lead me to more opportunities in the logistics field in United States and enhance my knowledge for my career,” said Kim. “There is so much information we GLS students learn from our instructors in terms of their own professional experiences. In addition, GLS students share their experiences and information with each other, which is really helpful because we have all been in the same logistics fields.”

Before CSULB, Kim worked with forwarding companies in Korea and China and had received several performance and achievement awards. “I recently received a job offer with a manufacturer, which would be my first step toward my goals. I also believe my previous work experience in China will definitely be an advantage to my career,” she added.

The LATC was incorporated in 1924 as a non-profit corporation dedicated to providing transportation professionals, shippers and suppliers a forum to foster relationships, share ideas and solutions as well as promote the contributions that the industry offers to global commerce. Its number one priority is to make sure that the club provides value to its members and the community at large.

-- Paul Browning