Haslam College of Business - Graduating Senior Maddie McLemore’s Leadership Skills Flourished at Haslam

Knoxville native Maddie McLemore embraces her role as a leader. The senior, who will graduate in December with a degree in supply chain management, discovered and honed her leadership skills throughout her time at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business, serving in multiple student organizations and excelling as an undergraduate student. For McLemore, however, this involvement goes beyond adding items to her resume — it is a way to find purpose and prepare herself for the future.

Leadership Inspiring Positive Action

Perhaps the most valuable lesson McLemore gained through her various campus leadership roles is making a meaningful impact through consideration and empathy for others. She finds purpose in helping her fellow students. “Campus leadership is about inspiring peers, driving positive change and creating a supportive environment,” she says.

Embodying this philosophy, McLemore served as a member of the Tennessee Association of Supply Chain’s executive board for three years and as a peer mentor with Haslam’s Supply Chain Management Scholars of Distinction program. College faculty and staff noticed McLemore’s activism and appreciated the leadership and responsibility she took on.

“Maddie has been an exemplary student since she arrived at UT,” says Cole Burns, director of student development and career management for Haslam’s Global Supply Chain Institute. “She’s an excellent example of the value of building and maintaining a strong professional network. Maddie has also been continuously involved in our supply chain management student organizations, taking on progressively more leadership responsibility as the clubs have grown.”

The graduating senior believes the leadership opportunities she’s encountered not only have prepared her for her future career, but also, they have helped her carve out her own identity among other graduates. “These leadership roles have enhanced my communication, my organizational, and my problem-solving skills, which I will carry into my career,” she says.

McLemore emphasizes that successful business leaders do more than analyze data. “At the end of the day, it’s how you work with people and the relationships you have,” she says.

Eyes on the Future

After graduation, McLemore will work with ExxonMobil as an unconventional business analysist, a title she understands might confuse some. “‘Unconventional’ refers to oil sourced from the U.S.,” she explains, “So, that is the procurement area I will work in.”

McLemore, however, isn’t concerned with titles; she is focused on connecting with others, continually learning and growing her leadership skills. “My initial focus will be on gaining practical experiences and building a strong professional network,” she says. “During my first few months with ExxonMobil, I want to connect with my colleagues and leadership and learn on the job. Long-term, I aim to advance to leadership positions, leveraging my skills and knowledge to drive innovation and growth within the organization.”

Learning’s Lifelong Impact

McLemore looks forward to her new life in Houston, where she’ll relocate to start work with ExxonMobil. “I’ve spent my entire life in Knoxville, so I’m excited to explore a new city,” she says.

As enthusiastic as she is for her new adventure, McLemore admits she will miss UT. “I’ll definitely miss the campus life, specifically football games,” she says. “I was crying at the game against UTEP when we were singing the Tennessee Waltz. I realized it was the last time I would experience that as a student.”

She casts a wistful eye on her former college, too.

“I’ll also miss the community within Haslam, as well as the friendships I’ve bult,” she says. “But these memories will have a lifelong impact, and everything I’ve learned at Haslam will stay with me forever.”

CONTACT:

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Leah McAmis, senior editor, leah@utk.edu