Continuing its growth while establishing itself as a leader in the field, the Center for Sales Excellence in the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Business Administration was named as a 2016 “Top University for Professional Sales Education” by the Sales Education Foundation (SEF). Recognized for preparing students for careers in professional selling and helping to elevate the sales profession, the program teaches students how to sell themselves to employers, pitch their ideas and enhance their communication skills.
The 2016 award marked the second consecutive year the sales center has been recognized by SEF. Made possible by a major gift of $1.5 million from National Research Corporation in 2014, the center features a sales lab that allows students to practice selling while their pitches are videotaped and replayed to provide feedback.
Dean Plowman speaks at sales certificate ceremony
“This recognition is a tribute to the quality of the program we have been able to build in less than three years with the support from the college, our partner companies and most importantly, students in the program, who are our best ambassadors,” said Dr. Ravi Sohi, professor of marketing, Robert D. Hayes Distinguished Chair of Sales Excellence and executive director of the Center for Sales Excellence.
Open to both business and non-business major students, the program provides students with a certificate in professional selling after completing 13 hours of coursework. They can also earn an advanced certificate by completing an additional three credit hours.
The first group of students enrolled in the sales program during the spring semester in 2014. A small group graduated from the program in May 2015. More than 100 students have enrolled in the program since it began, with 38 thus far having earned their certificates.
“The sales certificate program has been a great way to expand my education,” said Matthew Sleister, who graduated in May 2016 with a degree in management and now works as a sales representative for Sandhills Publishing. “It really focuses on what we are going to do specifically in sales, and it relates a lot more towards what we are going to be doing after graduation.”
Undergraduate Certificate Program in Sales Excellence webpage