NASPO-ASU Partnership

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) has agreed to gift $35 million to Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business. As a national non-profit association dedicated to advancing the public procurement profession, this partnership between NASPO and ASU will strengthen academic innovation, research, and learning to improve this field. The gift will rename the Department of Supply Chain Management to the NASPO Department of Supply Chain Management, as well as endowed faculty positions, scholarships, and numerous research initiatives. Unlike most donor naming rights arrangements, the NASPO Department of Supply Chain Management will be a permanent title of the program, which demonstrates NASPO’s lasting commitment to academic excellence for this profession.

What is this announcement about NASPO and ASU’s partnership?

Why did NASPO choose ASU for this investment?

The W.P. Carey School of Business is consistently ranked among the top supply chain management programs in the country and has a longstanding partnership with NASPO dating back to 2016. ASU's commitment to innovation, access, and impact in education aligns with NASPO's mission to advance the visibility, excellence, and strategy of public sector procurement. Therefore, ASU was the best choice possible to receive this investment and advance our profession.

What is public procurement and why is it important for partnerships like this to exist?

Public procurement is the process through which governments and public authorities acquire goods, services, and other resources from the private sector to fulfill public needs. It is a process that enables governments to deliver high-quality public services to the public while using taxpayer dollars efficiently and responsibly. Therefore, advancements in this field – through partnerships like NASPO’s investment in the NASPO Department of Supply Chain Management – are critical to continue supporting and improving public procurement.

How will the $35 million gift be used?

The gift to ASU will be utilized to fund a diverse range of areas across ASU’s W.P. Carey School of Business, including:

Creation of the NASPO Department of Supply Chain Management at ASU

Endowed faculty positions, including the NASPO Endowed Chair

Launch of the NASPO Scholars Program, offering tuition support

Expansion of procurement tracks and new certificates in undergraduate and graduate programs

Research initiatives such as the Supply Chain Innovation, Technology, and Infrastructure Initiative

Enhancement of the Center for Responsible Supply Chain Management via the NASPO Endowed Research Fund

Facility upgrades and investment in the Procurement and Behavioral Lab

Ongoing professional development, strategic partnerships, and experiential learning programs

What are the specific terms placed around the donation?

The donation will be managed under the terms of a Gift Agreement executed between ASU and NASPO. The expenditure of the funds is tied to specific objectives outlined in the agreement, including the creation of endowed faculty positions, the launch of the NASPO Scholars Program, new academic tracks and certificates, facility upgrades, and more. This gift is structured to deliver measurable benefits for procurement education and a pipeline of qualified professionals entering the field.

How will this investment benefit current procurement professionals?

Beyond direct benefits for W.P. Carey students and faculty, this partnership will also play a positive role in providing education pathways for procurement professionals, cutting-edge research on best practices, networking opportunities, and other resources that directly inform those who are already working in this sector.

How can I contact NASPO or ASU for more information about the partnership?

For more information, reach out to NASPO (www.naspo.org) or the NASPO Department of Supply Chain Management at ASU (wpcarey.asu.edu/supply-chain).

Media inquiries can be directed to Shay Moser (wpc.mediarelations@asu.edu) at the Carey School of Business or Courtney Iverson (civerson@naspo.org) at NASPO.