March 20, 2023
Andre Logan, BS IE ’01, has been honored with the Citation of Merit Award from the Mizzou Engineering Alumni Organization in recognition of his leadership and service to the College.
“I’m absolutely honored,” he said. “I was definitely not expecting it. Looking back at some of the other recipients of the award, this is a big deal.”
Logan has held a number of leadership roles in industry and academia, is a member of the Industrial and Systems Engineering Hall of Fame and a member of Mizzou Engineering’s Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Alumni Advisory Council.
“I don’t think about anything I do in terms of trying to be accomplished, but rather I strive to do what’s in the best interest of others around me,” he said. “It’s about learning, serving and leading others and setting an example others can follow and be proud of.”
Logan is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he works with departments and units across campus to ensure they have time, resources and finances they need to accomplish the chancellor’s vision for the university.
Industrial engineering, he said, gave him the foundational skillset to do that work.
“The great thing about IE is that it takes into consideration human factors in addition to business, analytics and being able to synthesize large amounts of data,” he said. “It laid the foundation for me in terms of being able to communicate with individuals within an organization.”
That focus on human resources in addition to engineering processes helped him climb the ladder from engineer at Boulevard Brewing Company and Harley Davidson to leadership roles at Portals Hardware, where he served as senior vice president prior to his current position.
It’s also made him an instrumental voice in conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion. On the IDE Alumni Advisory Council at Mizzou, he’s helping the College identify ways to boost enrollment of black, Hispanic and other students traditionally underrepresented in engineering, and ensure they have a holistic support system when they’re here.
That support system includes campus resources, but also services such as advising and tutoring within the College. In the industrial and systems engineering department, it also includes mentorship. Through the Professional Mentorship program, seniors are connected with members of the ISE Hall of Fame to receive professional guidance as they transition into the workforce.
At Mizzou, ISE students receive that professional mentorship for at least six months after graduation.
“Students definitely need someone to talk to as they leave the university bubble and navigate a whole new world,” Logan said. “And we need to listen to what the new generation is saying in terms of diversity, equity and inclusion. It’s everyone’s responsibility to make sure everyone is included.”
Logan has exemplified that since he was a student at Mizzou. In the College of Engineering, he was president of the National Society of Black Engineers, a member of the Engineering Student Council, on St. Pat’s Board, was a member of the Society of Women Engineers and collaborated with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.
“If it was engineering, I made sure I was part of it and that information was being communicated between all organizations so everyone knew the opportunities available,” he said.
While loyal to UMKC, Logan says Mizzou Engineering is family.
“Especially in the IE department, I’ve always felt like I could call, and they would help with whatever I needed,” he said. “And I love the traditions. Engineers’ Week is the best E-Week in the country. Seeing that Shamrock and the dome turn green — there’s nothing like it.”