Make a Difference:
APICS Scholars Education Program

We are pleased to announce the kick off of the 2009 Scholars Education Program. As you amay be aware, the Scholars Education Program is a unique educational opportunity to introduce undergraduate and graduate students to APICS and the profession through a scholarship to attend the APICS International Conference and Expo. The program benefits both students and volunteers with a rewarding experience that fosters career growth, professional connections, and develops future leaders of APICS.

Program Objectives

· Provide a positive APICS experience for students who attend conference
· Develop advocates for APICS and the APICS scholar program who share their experiences with others
· Enhance the development of the future leaders of APICS
Scholar Benefits

· Make valuable contacts with operations management professionals

· Learn real-world applications and solutions

· Be more prepared to enter the workforce after graduation

Mentor Benefits

· Share knowledge and experiences with future operations management professionals

· Help your scholar build professional networks with other scholars and professionals
· Earn credit toward APICS certification maintenance
Sponsored by the APICS Educational and Research Foundation, the program is made possible through dedicated volunteers and funded by generous donations. Many of you have contributed to the success of the program in the past, and we thank you for your generous support. Your funding has made the difference for hundreds of students. Last year’s scholar, Stephanie Beron sums it up this way:

“Attending the APICS 2008 International Conference was a very motivating experience for which I am very grateful. I learned a lot about APICS’ education, certification programs, volunteer opportunities, and the members and volunteers that make it all possible”

- Stephanie Beron, University of Indianapolis

Our goal this year is to make a difference for 72 future student leaders through the Scholars Education Program. While the program offers the same educational and networking opportunities for students, this year the decision was made to offer the Case Competition separately. The purpose for separating the two events is to allow students to more fully participate in the learning and mentoring aspects of the conference.

To learn more about the case competition, contact Jennifer Howe at jhowe@apics.org.

Program Support

APICS members and volunteers make the APICS Scholars Education Program a success. We ask for your support this year with promoting the program, volunteering to mentor, and your district or chapter’s generous donations. On the donation form, you may indicate a specific student, school, or district for which you would like your donations to support. To distribute funds with time for students to make travel plans, we ask for any specific student contributions by the scholar application deadline of May 31, 2009. Please note that your designated scholar must have applied by that deadline, too. We will not take scholar applications after the May 31, 2009 deadline.

Although you may direct how you wish your donation to be used, please remember that many schools and students that we would like to include may not have a generous chapter nearby and so general donations to the Scholar’s Program become increasingly important so we can give this opportunity to more schools and students.

Scholars will receive:
· Free Conference registration
· Hotel accommodations for four nights
· $200 Stipend
· Mentor from APICS professional members
· Scholar/student specific events at Conference

Travel and additional costs will be the responsibility of the Scholar.
Scholar applications are due by May 31, 2009 and can be completed on line by going directly to http://www.apics.org/education/conference/scholarform.asp.

Please download and return the Scholars Education Program Donation Form on the APICS Web site at www.apics.org/scholars under Donors.

Mentor applications are due August 31, 2009 and can be located on the APICS Web-site at www.apics.org/scholars under Mentor.