From the throwing circle to the fast lane, Makayla Stewart speeds through Wayne State into GM

DETROIT - Makayla Stewart arrived at Wayne State looking for a place where she wouldn't have to choose between academics and athletics. She found both, plus a community that helped her launch a career years ahead of schedule.

This spring, she'll graduate in just three years with a bachelor's degree in global supply chain management and finance from the Irvin D. Reid Honors College and the Mike Ilitch School of Business, then join General Motors full-time in July - a role she earned after a standout internship and an already packed list of achievements.

Stewart didn't initially plan on majoring in supply chain. The Novi High School alumna came in as a marketing student, shifted to finance, and then discovered supply chain in an introductory course that clicked right away. She liked the blend of analytics, creativity, and real-world problem solving, and she chose to pursue both majors because they complemented each other.

Wayne State's Makayla Stewart prepares to release the shot during the indoor track and field season.

"Knowing how businesses make money and how to analyze financial statements is really good background to work in a career in supply chain," said Stewart, who has a 3.939 cumulative GPA.

Along the way, Stewart immersed herself in the business school community. She is an active member of Alpha Kappa Psi, the Mike Ilitch School of Business's only professional business fraternity, where she further developed her leadership skills, expanded her professional network, and connected classroom learning to real-world business practice.

A core group of faculty members also became instrumental in her success. Lori Sisk, an associate professor in global supply chain management, topped the list.

"She is fantastic. She has helped me grow tremendously and given me so many opportunities," Stewart said.

Stewart also credits assistant professor Jeff Rightmer and associate professor John Taylor for bringing passion to the classroom and opening doors for students. And as a teaching assistant for assistant professor Chao Wu in the introductory supply chain course, she's gained even more confidence and experience.

"I genuinely have not had a bad faculty interaction with anyone in the supply chain department," Stewart said.

Those relationships helped lead to one of her proudest accomplishments: Wayne State's first-ever first-place finish at the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) 2025 Global Case Competition in Orlando, Florida.

After being selected by faculty to join the four-person team - along with student peers Tasnim Anam, Joseph Burton and Alejandro Lázaro - Stewart spent weeks developing the case solution, advancing through the virtual round and earning a spot to present at the ISM World Conference.

Novi native Makayla Stewart, who has a 3.939 cumulative GPA, will graduate from Wayne State this spring with a bachelor's degree in global supply chain management and finance from the Irvin D. Reid Honors College and the Mike Ilitch School of Business.

In front of an audience of more than 2,000 supply chain professionals, the team delivered its final presentation, answered questions from a panel of judges, and ultimately finished on top.

The win came with a cash prize, national visibility, and a year of free ISM membership that has already opened new networking opportunities.

At the same time, Stewart balanced a demanding athletic schedule as a thrower on the Wayne State track and field team. With indoor and outdoor seasons stretching across most of the academic year, time management became second nature.

"When you spend two or three hours every day with your team, you need to become more efficient with getting your assignments done," she said.

Surrounded by supportive teammates and coaches who emphasized academics, she found structure, confidence, and a second family that kept her grounded.

Her summer internship with GM's Global Purchasing and Supply Chain organization confirmed what she wanted to do after graduation. She spent 12 weeks in purchasing program management, made a strong impression, and received her full-time offer just two weeks later - during a vacation trip to Hocking Hills, Ohio, a moment she still remembers vividly.

As a TRACK (Technical Rotation and Career Knowledge) employee, she'll complete four six-month rotations across purchasing, logistics, and supply chain before moving into a permanent role.

As she nears the finish line on her final athletic season, Stewart is focused on giving back, and mentoring the large freshman class of throwers. She hopes to score again at the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference meet, but her biggest goal is to leave a mark on the people who supported her.

When asked to sum up her Wayne State experience, she kept it simple: "Wayne State has given me incredible opportunities to grow. I've been able to meet so many incredible people that have changed my life for the better, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."