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Rashad Austin earned his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Operations & Supply Chain Management from the University of Illinois Springfield in 2025.
Before pursuing his MBA, Rashad had a decade of hands-on procurement experience. He wanted to deepen his understanding of the entire supply chain. He knew the day-to-day operations but wanted to understand the strategies behind them. He says the education he received at UIS gave him that well-rounded knowledge.
Like many working professionals, Rashad needed an MBA program that was reputable, fast-paced, and affordable.
"UIS delivered on every front. The University of Illinois system carries genuine academic credibility, the tuition was accessible without requiring significant debt, and the accelerated format allowed me to finish in under two years while maintaining my full-time career."
Rashad Austin
When Rashad began taking supply chain courses, he underestimated them because of his years of procurement experience. Instead, the courses added to what he already knew about supply chain management. They helped him see how the different parts of the system work together and gave him a better understanding of how organizations work.
He also found the leadership courses valuable. Learning about how people work in organizations, how teams work together and unconscious bias made him think more about what he was doing as a manager and why. He liked that the courses connected directly to challenges he faced at work and helped him better understand situations he had experienced throughout his career.
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Today, Rashad is the Director of Procurement for a healthcare company in the Chicago area, where he leads procurement operations and strategic sourcing across multiple spend categories.
His career in procurement began more than eight years ago when he joined the company as a Purchasing Agent. Over time, he expanded his responsibilities. Rashad earned his Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) credential, led strategic initiatives, managed teams and generated millions of dollars in cost savings.
Although he had been performing at a high level for years, Rashad felt his credentials did not reflect his capabilities. Earning his MBA helped bridge that gap.
"The degree will push you over the top, but it cannot carry you there alone. Establish yourself first. Deliver excellent results. Build genuine relationships. Become known for solving problems, not just executing tasks. Then let the degree amplify everything you've already built. When you combine years of demonstrated performance with an MBA from a credible institution, you become a more compelling candidate. Also, treat every assignment as directly applicable to your current role. Don't compartmentalize your academic and professional lives."
Rashad Austin