Dianne Marshall, director of student career management for the marketing and supply chain department and manager of the Supply Chain Forum, will retire from the Haslam College of Business at the end of May.

Marshall has helped the Supply Chain Forum grow from a yearly gathering of a dozen professionals to a twice-per-year event attracting more than 200 attendees including executive vice presidents of some of the world’s largest companies. Her greatest pride, she says, has been helping undergraduate supply chain and marketing students connect with employers.

“Under Dianne’s tenure, our placement rate has gone up to over 90 percent,” said Chad Autry, department head for supply chain management. “Helping students find the right job and companies find the right candidate is truly a passion for her. She’s the staff member who has launched 1,000 supply chain careers.”

Marshall established the forum’s speed networking event as well as the Scholars of Distinction honors program. Scholars of Distinction helps identify stand-out supply chain students earlier in their academic courses, connecting them with company representatives and providing professional mentorships. Unique to Haslam, the program received attention in supply chain trade journals at its outset.

“Dianne’s programs and achievements don’t just benefit the careers of our students,” said Paul Dittmann, executive director of the Global Supply Chain Institute. “Many companies join the forum for the opportunity to interact with our students, and Dianne created those opportunities. Proceeds from those forum sponsorships help us pursue more research and better educate our students.”