Project and supply chain students visit the Port of Philadelphia

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Known as PhilaPort and located along the Delaware River, the Port of Philadelphia spans more than 1,000 acres and moves over 7 million tons of cargo annually. The site provides an ideal real-world learning experience for students in Penn State Lehigh Valley’s project and supply chain management program.

Mark Capofari, the program coordinator and assistant teaching professor, brings students to industry locations like PhilaPort so they can connect classroom concepts to practice.

“I look to bring the textbook to life,” he said.

Supply chains power the flow of global commerce, and jobs in the industry are in high demand. Today, PhilaPort employs nearly 12,000 people and supports more than 66,000 industry-related jobs across eastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware, generating an annual economic impact of more than $1.5 billion.

“Tours and guest speakers allow the students in my classroom to graduate with the experience, networks and skills they will need to have an immediate impact in the Lehigh Valley and beyond,” Capofari said.

The Philadelphia tour provided a comprehensive look at operations at a major U.S. port, including the movement of containers, forest products, automobiles, cocoa, steel and perishables. With more than 1,100 ships calling on the port each year, goods are transported by truck and rail to communities across the country.

Students in the program said they value the personal attention they receive and the opportunity to graduate with a globally recognized degree.

“Penn State Lehigh Valley has given me the opportunity to work with industry professionals and expand my leadership responsibilities,” said Dominic Baio, a senior in the supply chain management program. “It has provided me with the tools and confidence I need to succeed, supported by the guidance of my professors in the classroom.”

A growing industry in Pennsylvania

The Port of Philadelphia is one of the fastest-growing ports on the East Coast and recently added 152 acres for future expansion. The addition of Norwegian Cruise Line operations at the port means new jobs and increased economic opportunities for communities close to the Lehigh Valley.

“This is a generational opportunity for the Port of Philadelphia," said Michael Pearson, chairman of the board of directors for PhilaPort. "It’s a bold investment that will deliver lasting benefits for our region and our workforce for decades to come."

As Capofari noted, “Tours are essential to expanding student knowledge and awareness outside the classroom.”

And for students in the program, these opportunities happen regularly, Capofari added.

“We have already toured ALDI’s distribution center across the road from campus and the Crayola crayon manufacturing facility,” Capofari added. “In two weeks, we will be back to on-site learning with a plant tour of Volvo/Mack Trucks.”

A program with many career opportunities

The project and supply chain management program prepares graduates for a wide range of industry careers. From project manager to management analyst, procurement agent or transportation specialist, the next generation of Penn State Lehigh Valley students have the opportunity to help keep goods and services moving and drive the global economy forward.

Stories ready to be told

“As the representative of Penn State in the Lehigh Valley, our campus is filled with unique experiences and people who add to the richness of the University story every day,” said Ryan Abramson, Penn State Lehigh Valley’s director of strategic communications. “We are excited to keep the spotlight on our campus and our community.”

To share a news story, contact the Office of Strategic Communications.

"Together, let’s write the next chapters of success in the Lehigh Valley," Abramson said.