Leaders in Transportation Come to DU

More than 95 percent of the world’s population lives outside of the United States. According to the Business Roundtable, an association made up of CEOs from leading U.S. companies, international trade supports nearly 40 million U.S. jobs, and customers in more than 200 countries buy goods made in America. None of this is possible without transportation.

“Nothing is consumed where it is produced, so transportation is very significant for companies and consumers,” says William DeWitt, executive director and professor at DU’s Transportation Institute (DTI). “For corporations, effective and efficient transportation of its products is finding a competitive advantage.”

For nearly 20 years, DTI has been collaborating with the transportation industry to provide a graduate management degree designed for transportation, logistics and supply chain professionals. The 18-month program typically consists of an average of 20 students working at corporations that view the DTI program as a great opportunity for up-and-coming employees.

“This program is unique because it focuses on transportation management,” DeWitt says. “No place else focuses on moving stuff and people. This gives DU an opportunity in the marketplace like no one else provides.”

Recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation selected DU to be one of 18 institutions designated as a Beyond Traffic Innovation Center. The University of Denver will be home to research and outreach that explore solutions to transportation challenges related to population growth, increased freight shipping and the movement of people into megaregions. DU will serve the Front Range megaregion.

A majority of the DTI program takes place at DU. However, one week is spent at a domestic port and a second week is spent on an international trip gaining hands-on experience with the global trade market.

Another unique aspect of the program is the opportunity for students to meet with leaders in the transportation industry. This week, DTI is hosting 35 senior transportation executives from industries and companies across the country.

“The transportation management students are very fortunate to gain real-world insights from such high-level leaders who are shaping the transportation industry,” says Michael McGuire, dean of University College, where DTI is housed. “We’re preparing students to meet the business and transportation challenges of today and tomorrow by inviting industry into the classroom so students can have authentic conversations and learn from the best.”

Some of the industry experts participating this week come from BNSF Railway, The Home Depot, J.C. Penney and FedEx Freight.

“The University of Denver serves as a convener between the academic side and industry and allows folks to come together and think critically about the issues facing the transportation industry,” McGuire says. “With the start of the new year and a new administration, it’s a good time to host this conversation and consider what’s to come for the transportation industry at large.”