47 Huskers Begin Sales Excellence Program

Sales Program Leads to In-Demand Skill Development and Job Offers

The Center for Sales Excellence at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln welcomed 47 new students into the Undergraduate Certificate of Sales Excellence Program at an induction ceremony in September.

Nearly 50 University of Nebraska–Lincoln students have been selected for the Undergraduate Certificate of Sales Excellence Program in the College of Business. With the special professional selling credential from the Center for Sales Excellence, students hone the communication, problem-solving and decision-making skills that employers seek.

“Well-known national companies in multiple industries recruit from our sales program and come back on a regular basis because they are pleased with the students they hired,” said Ravi Sohi, professor of marketing, Robert D. Hays Distinguished Chair of Sales Excellence and executive director of the Center for Sales Excellence. “They value the skills we help our students develop in the program — skills that are relevant not only to sales, but to any job that requires building relationships with people.”

Three male students in suits talk to a female recruiter from NRC Health. — Prior to the induction ceremony, students networked with employers seeking people with sales skills for internships and jobs.

Sohi added that nearly all the program’s students have a job upon graduation. Companies that recently hired sales students include Dell, Deloitte, Gallup, Hubspot, Mutual of Omaha, NRC Health, Oracle, Sandhills Global, Union Pacific and Walt Disney Company. Six employers — NRC Health, Assurity, LRS Healthcare, Northwestern Mutual, Pacific Life and Workforce Science Associates — networked with the new inductees to discuss opportunities and internships before the ceremony.

“These students are the 20th group of students selected into this program. They are very motivated and willing to put in the extra work that is required for all the sales courses they’ll take,” he said. “They are interested in earning the extra credential provided by the certificate and are aware of its value to potential employers.”

Founded in 2013, the Center for Sales Excellence has been named a top university for professional sales education by the Sales Education Foundation every year since 2014-15. Students in the center connect with corporate partners and have opportunities to compete at national and international sales competitions.

The program’s new students represent 12 majors and four colleges on campus. The application process for the program, open to all students at the university, includes submitting a resume and statement of interest. Once selected, students begin taking courses taught by sales and marketing faculty in the College of Business the following semester.

“Students love the program and the faculty who teach their classes,” Sohi said. “We don’t just teach them, but help them develop as individuals with job skills that give them an edge in the marketplace. Companies love our students. It’s a winning combination.”

The students pursuing their undergraduate certificate of sales excellence are listed below by hometown, with their current class standing based on credit hours earned in school and academic major(s).

NEBRASKA

Elkhorn: Jacob Austin, sophomore accounting; Maddie Epp, junior marketing; Gigi Salerno, junior advertising and public relations

Falls City: Laura Waggoner, sophomore marketing

Fremont: Jordan Baumert, sophomore marketing

Hastings: Charli Coil, sophomore business administration

Kearney: Hudson Bertrand, sophomore marketing

Lincoln: Joseph Cockerill, sophomore supply chain management; Austin Herman, junior marketing; Megan McCormick, sophomore finance and marketing; Charlie McCown, junior marketing; Henry Moberly, junior management (entrepreneurship and innovation); Faith Ottersberg, sophomore marketing; Conner Reinmiller, sophomore finance; Joshua Richardson, sophomore business administration; Caleb Sajevic, sophomore management; Luke Schlegelmilch, sophomore accounting and finance; Ryschelle Trejo, junior management

Omaha: Thomas Dickmeyer, junior plant and landscape systems (turfgrass science and management); Caroline Granger, sophomore accounting; Aidan Kelch, sophomore marketing; Cassy Limley, sophomore business administration; Stella Minge, junior advertising and public relations; Cohen Munson, junior business administration; Regino Pineda, sophomore business administration; Carson Protasakey, junior finance; Josh Rohrig, sophomore finance; James Taylor, junior marketing and sports media and communication

Papillion: Carson Ahlers, junior management (entrepreneurship and innovation); Charlie Pile, sophomore finance and management

Plattsmouth: Kylie Cooke, sophomore marketing

Valley: Ryan Zavadil, senior finance