By: Dr. Stephanie Diana Eubank, DBA 

As this academic year comes to a close, I want to take a moment to extend my sincere gratitude to the E. & J. Gallo company for their continued partnership and support of student learning and professional development. The recent dinner was a wonderful way to celebrate the end of the school year, reflect on progress, and look ahead to the opportunities that lie ahead. I truly raise a glass to another successful year. 

Through our collaboration on the Steinbeck Project, students are given the opportunity to engage with a faux case study developed in partnership with Gallo. This case study provides a realistic, hands-on look at operations management in the modern era—bridging the gap between theory and practice in meaningful ways. 

What makes this partnership especially impactful is its ability to immerse students in real-world thinking. Rather than learning in isolation, students analyze scenarios that mirror the complexity of contemporary organizational environments. They develop critical thinking skills, learn how to navigate decision-making under constraints, and gain exposure to operational strategies that prepare them for the workforce. 

The Steinbeck Project continues to be a cornerstone of experiential learning, and partnerships like the one with Gallo exemplify what higher education can achieve when industry and academia collaborate. By offering insights and realistic frameworks, Gallo helps students better understand how operations management functions within an evolving, modern business landscape. 

As an educator and consultant, I deeply value opportunities that allow students to build not only knowledge, but also confidence and professional readiness. This partnership embodies that mission. It reinforces my belief that when organizations invest in student development, the impact extends far beyond the classroom. 

Thank you once again to the E. & J. Gallo company for your support, your collaboration, and your commitment to education. I look forward to continuing this work and expanding the ways we prepare students for meaningful careers. 

References  

Eubank, S. D. (2026). Remote work is here to stay: Rethinking operations management in the modern work era. ISBN-13-979-8181361850. 

Stephens, R. (2026, Month Day). Thank you Gallo talent acquisition team… [Post]. LinkedIn.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rebecca-stephens-a59431155_thank-you-gallo-talent-acquisition-team-share-7476679281239089153-HYO0/

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Also, be sure to check out my first textbook on Operations Management. The book is titled ‘Remote Work Is Here to Stay: Rethinking Operations Management in the Modern Work Era.’ You can purchase the textbook on Amazon at the link below. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0H5BPJCHJ/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0