For international student Bitanya Shewanigzaw Adane, Northern Kentucky University is a prime example of the wide range of opportunities that can arise from a dedicated and supportive community.

Born and raised in Ethiopia, Adane first discovered NKU when she heard stories from peers in her hometown about a place where they were learning and thriving. With the support of her community, she enrolled at NKU.

“I stayed because the stories I heard about NKU were true,” she says. “The faculty and staff here are the hidden gems of the university.”

NKU’s strong sense of community wasn’t the only thing that stood out to Adane; she was amazed by the real-world, hands-on experiences that the Haile College of Business’ Global Supply Chain Management program had to offer, like the experiential learning components of her logistics and distributions class.

“My program was wonderful,” she says. “I got to learn about logistics, procurement and operations both in the classroom and through site visits, tours and guest speakers. We also had the opportunity to network with industry professionals and executives.”

Though she discovered her passion for business through her coursework, Adane’s favorite thing about NKU is its people and endless opportunities. As an active member of the community, Adane took advantage of involvement opportunities on campus by becoming president of the Association for Supply Chain Management and participating as a member of the NKU Business Support Group and Women in Business.

For Adane, earning her degree in global supply chain management is a testament to her capability and a physical representation of all the sacrifices and support that got her across the finish line. After graduation, she hopes to find a career that combines data analytics with her passion: contributing to something bigger than herself that impacts the real world.

“I want to optimize global logistics networks or lead cross-functional process improvement efforts,” she says. “Long-term, I see myself stepping into leadership roles where I can shape smarter, more resilient supply chains that contribute to a better future—for businesses and the communities they serve.”