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Student Spotlight | Maddie Mitchell

Posted on March 11, 2025 by Amanda Akey
Amanda Akey

Woman with brown hair stands in front of the Mitchell College of Business. She is wearing a black polo, hard hat that says APM Terminals, and a high visibility safety vest. data-lightbox='featured'

Maddie Mitchell, a senior at the Mitchell College of Business, is charting a bright course for her future thanks to her field of study, supply chain and logistics management. Mitchell chose the undergraduate program because of the abundant opportunities to learn diverse systems, interact with people from all over the world and help make an impact on the global economy. 

She also credits Dr. Alvin Williams, professor of marketing, supply chain management, and analytics, as being a driving force behind her choice to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the field.

"His encouragement and excitement about my ideas for research paper assignments, my thoughts on our program and excitement for a dedicated supply chain student organization, inspired me to keep going," Mitchell said.

Mitchell is currently interning with APM Terminals, a global company with a terminal location in the Port of Mobile. Through Mitchell’s internship, a degree requirement for all Mitchell College students, she has gained real-world experience. Dr. Pete Simonson, assistant professor of marketing, supply chain management, and analytics, was vital in helping Mitchell secure this opportunity.

“My internship is with the gate services department,” Mitchell said. “I have had the opportunity to learn about proper gate operations, customer service procedures, gate maintenance, traffic flow and how to troubleshoot challenges that may arise.”

Mitchell is a student in Simonson's port management class. Students who pass all modules of this class receive a Marine Terminal Operator certificate through the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives. Simonson felt the internship opportunity at APM Terminals was a fantastic fit for Mitchell because of her “ability to think critically and apply her academic knowledge to real-world situations.” 

“Internships are an important opportunity for students to translate their academic knowledge into practical experiences,” Simonson said 

Mitchell is passionate about encouraging her peers to broaden their horizons by developing professional and academic relationships. In the past year, she and a few peers have developed a supply chain student organization, where Mitchell serves as secretary. Together, they have helped fellow students learn more about careers in supply chain and provided opportunities for professional networking.

As Mitchell graduates in May 2025, anchored by knowledge and real-world experience, she is excited to explore the broad horizons of the supply chain field. 

"I love the idea of learning more about how one piece of a puzzle gets from point A to point B while ensuring that our supply chain can flow and prosper to keep our economy running,” Mitchell said. “It makes you realize just how small you are compared to the rest of the world."

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