CWU supply chain management major ready to spread her wings

Daizie Jones followed her adventurous side after graduating from high school in 2020, but living out of state during the pandemic helped her realize that she wanted to be closer to home.

Being miles away from home during that tumultuous year helped Jones unearth a desire to stay closer to her family in Puyallup, though she still wanted the independence afforded by a little distance.

In the fall of 2021, Jones decided there was only one school that would fit the bill, and she transferred all of her college credits to Central Washington University.

“I chose Central mainly because of the location,” said the senior supply chain management major, who spent her first year at Cottey College in Missouri. “It’s close to home but still far enough away to feel that independence, and the business program and supply chain department were the cherry on top. I discovered my love for business at my old school, so with the Central program’s strength, I knew this was what I wanted to do.”

Jones initially left Washington to pursue a volleyball scholarship after graduating from Emerald Ridge High School. Following the pandemic-fueled redirect, the Tsimshian tribal member found her future just over the mountains from her hometown.

As a first-generation student and the oldest of three siblings, she knew that dedicating her time to finishing her education would be well worth the effort.

“I’m very proud of being able to show my brothers the path to what they may want to do with their lives,” she said. “As a first-generation Native American student, I take education very seriously, and I take pride in my accomplishments.”

Those achievements include helming the CWU chapter of the Supply Chain Management Association for the last two years and being nominated for this year’s Student Employee of the Year award for her work as a Student Ambassador for the College of Business. Jones believes these opportunities helped shape her into the high-performing professional she is today.

“My time at Central has impacted all aspects of my life as I’ve grown from a young adult into a prepared professional,” she said. “The opportunities, classes, and instructors made available to me have helped me flourish in a way that I really appreciate. Central helps you become who you’re meant to be.”

Over the course of her three years at CWU, Jones has interned with both Costco and Boeing, the latter of which offered her a full-time position after she graduates next month. Landing a career opportunity going into her senior year has been both a comfort and a motivator for her.

“Having that job lined up really helped me focus on my education and extracurriculars all year, without having to worry about a job search,” Jones said. “Having connections within the company has helped contextualize some of my education, too.”

As Jones looks to her future with one of the largest corporations in the U.S., she notes that her initial success has been brought about by her own hard work, along with the opportunities she found through the CWU College of Business.

“I came to Central in the hope of making a difference, and making a name for myself,” she said. “Becoming someone who people know they can rely on is really important to me, and I feel like I’ve accomplished that here.”