2025 AWESOME Excellence in Education Scholarship winners Deedra Samuel ’26 (left) and Odette Sherk ’26 (center) pose with Supply Chain Professor Julie Niederhoff.
For the first time in the 12-year history of the program, both nominees from the have been selected as recipients of the 2025 AWESOME Excellence in Education Scholarship, a prestigious honor awarded to top-performing undergraduate women in supply chain management.
Each year, the AWESOME (Achieving Women’s Excellence in Supply Chain Operations, Management and Education) organization selects 20 students nationwide for the award. Nominees are chosen from 35 leading supply chain programs across the country, with each school submitting two candidates.
This year’s honorees from Whitman are supply chain management majors Odette Sherk ’26 and Deedra Samuel ’26, who have both demonstrated leadership inside and outside of the classroom.
The scholarship provides winners with an all-expenses paid trip to the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) EDGE Conference and the AWESOME Symposium, plus long-term career support through mentorship, retreats, webinars and professional networking.
Julie Niederhoff, a professor of supply chain management and the faculty member who led their nominations, says the selection process is always competitive due to the caliber of students Whitman produces.
“Choosing which two students to nominate is always tough because every student has a compelling story with unique strengths and interests,” Niederhoff says. “This year, Odette and Deedra stood out based on the feedback from their professors about their in-class performance as well as their proven initiative. They each have a drive for seeking out mentorship, leadership and professional growth opportunities. I am confident they will represent the school well and make the most of this opportunity.”
Sherk is triple majoring in supply chain management, marketing and environment and sustainability policy. She’s involved with Syracuse’s Shaw Center for Public and Community Service, has participated in Whitman’s case competition teams and is known for her commitment to sustainability and systems thinking.
“This scholarship is a chance to be part of an incredible network of women who have not only excelled in their careers, but are committed to making it easier for others to follow,” Sherk says. “Being selected means a lot to me because I get to share my passion for supply chain while learning from women who’ve overcome real challenges in the field.”
Samuel is majoring in supply chain management and business analytics, with a minor in global security studies. Her interests lie in risk management, supplier diversity and supply chain resilience. As a resident advisor and past case competition participant, she’s built a strong foundation in leadership, data-driven decision making and inclusive problem solving.
“Winning this scholarship genuinely means a lot to me,” Samuel says. “It not only validates my ability to thrive in the supply chain space but also opens doors to extraordinary women who are experts in their field. I am eager to learn from their expertise and take full advantage of this opportunity to advance my career.”
She added, “AWESOME is a community of women who are dedicated to reaching their potential, excelling in their work, and generously sharing their knowledge. Being a part of this network inspires me to push myself even further academically during my senior year and beyond.”
This marks the sixth time Whitman has had a student selected since the program began 12 years ago.
Story by Bo BenYehuda
