Lenovo and Bellevue University Partner on Supply Chain Education
Lenovo and Bellevue University Partner to Build the Next Generation of Supply Chain Leaders In a powerful collaboration designed to shape the future of supply chain management, Lenovo, the global technology giant recognized among the top 10 in Gartner’s 2025 Supply Chain Top 25, has announced a strategic partnership with Bellevue University, one of the nation’s leading institutions for online and adult education. The initiative aims to close the supply chain talent gap by delivering practical, real-world education aligned with current industry demands.
With the global supply chain landscape undergoing rapid transformation—driven by digitalization, automation, and the need for increased resilience—businesses face a growing shortage of skilled professionals equipped to navigate this complexity. According to a 2024 report by McKinsey & Company, a staggering 90% of surveyed companies reported that they lack the necessary talent to meet their digital transformation objectives in supply chain functions. This shortfall highlights the urgent need for innovative partnerships like the one between Lenovo and Bellevue University.
Real-World Experience Meets Academic Excellence
At the core of this partnership is a shared vision: to integrate Lenovo’s hands-on global supply chain expertise into Bellevue University’s career-focused academic framework. By embedding real-life industry insights into the classroom, students are better prepared to enter the workforce with job-ready skills.
“We believe that bringing real-world global supply chain experience and learning directly into an education curriculum is precisely the optimal way to upskill the workforce of the future,” said Ben Massie, Vice President of Global Supply Chain at Lenovo. “Teaming up with Bellevue allows us to attract the right talent using the right technology and deliver on our mission to make ‘smarter technology for all’ a reality.”
As a preferred higher education partner, Bellevue University has been selected by Lenovo to offer short-term learning programs focused on supply chain operations. The university will draw from Lenovo’s expansive supply chain capabilities to deliver curriculum enhancements across its diverse learner base, including working professionals and corporate partners.
Lenovo’s Supply Chain: A Global Competitive Advantage
Lenovo operates one of the most sophisticated supply chain networks in the world, encompassing more than 30 manufacturing sites across nine global markets. The company’s ability to successfully manage such a vast and distributed system—while navigating ongoing global disruptions, regulatory shifts, and sustainability goals—has been key to its recognition in Gartner’s top supply chain rankings.
“Lenovo’s supply chain is one of our core strengths,” Massie emphasized. “By bringing our real-life case studies and insights into the curriculum, we aim to equip students with the skills to succeed in the complex and dynamic working environment. Partnering with Bellevue University, which has a strong track record of working with organizations, allows us to share our knowledge and together build the supply chain experts of the future.”
This emphasis on real-world relevance means that learners won’t just be absorbing textbook theory—they’ll be engaging directly with case studies drawn from Lenovo’s supply chain operations, from AI integration to manufacturing resilience strategies.
A Program Designed for Rapid Impact
The cornerstone of this partnership is the Supply Chain Operations & Project Management Certificate of Completion, an innovative program designed for speed, flexibility, and professional value. The certificate includes two graduate-level, three-credit courses:
- Management of Supply Chain Operations
- Advanced Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
Both courses can be taken concurrently, allowing motivated learners to complete the entire certificate in under eight months. This streamlined timeline means students can quickly apply their new skills to the workforce, filling critical gaps in supply chain roles across industries.
Graduates of the program receive:
- Two digital badges that can be shared on professional platforms like LinkedIn
- A certificate of completion signifying program mastery
- Six graduate-level credit hours that are fully transferable toward a master’s degree
This structure appeals not only to early-career professionals looking to break into supply chain management but also to mid-career employees seeking to reskill or upskill in an increasingly tech-centric operational environment.
Addressing the Digital Skills Gap in Supply Chain Management
The Lenovo-Bellevue program arrives at a time when digital competencies are becoming central to supply chain success. From AI-powered demand forecasting to blockchain-based tracking and real-time logistics management, the supply chain profession now demands a fusion of technical acumen and operational insight.
Dr. Rich Lombardo, Executive Director of Bellevue University’s Workforce Skills Academy, emphasized the institution’s long-standing commitment to workforce development and adult education.
“With a deep focus on employee growth planning, we’re uniquely qualified to help adult learners and the employers we partner with upskill or reskill their supply chain workforce,” Lombardo said. “Working together, we can ensure that the next generation has the skills and knowledge needed to deal with the complexities that are ever-present in global supply chains.”
Bellevue University has a history of tailoring educational programs to meet the evolving needs of employers across industries. With this partnership, the university continues its tradition of providing customized, career-relevant learning that delivers immediate value to both learners and their organizations.
Lenovo’s Broader Impact: Innovation, Sustainability, and Cybersecurity
Beyond traditional logistics and operations, Lenovo brings advanced capabilities in artificial intelligence, sustainability, and end-to-end cybersecurity to its supply chain practices. The company uses proprietary AI models to optimize everything from procurement to last-mile delivery, and it is constantly innovating to enhance performance while reducing environmental impact.
These best practices are not just company secrets—they are part of the knowledge and insight Lenovo is now making available to learners through its partnership with Bellevue. For example, students may gain exposure to how Lenovo uses AI for dynamic demand sensing, how it shifts production between global sites to avoid disruption, and how it ensures security throughout the supply chain in a world of rising cyber threats.
This type of education, based on live business challenges and solutions, empowers graduates to enter the workforce not only with credentials, but with insight into how top-performing organizations operate.
Building the Future Supply Chain Workforce—Together
The partnership between Lenovo and Bellevue University is a strategic response to a growing global challenge. As supply chains become more complex and interconnected, the demand for skilled professionals who understand both operational fundamentals and digital innovation continues to rise.
By combining Lenovo’s global supply chain leadership with Bellevue’s academic innovation and commitment to adult learning, this program offers a transformational learning experience for those seeking to make a meaningful impact in the field.
As companies continue to seek ways to digitally transform their operations, partnerships like this will play a vital role in preparing the next generation of leaders to take on these challenges—head-on and with confidence.