Sixty-five University of Nebraska–Lincoln students earned undergraduate certificates of sales excellence and were honored at a luncheon hosted by the Center for Sales Excellence on May 2. Students completed 15 credit hours of sales coursework that sharpened communication and relationship-building skills applicable to any career path.

Students may take an additional three credit hours to earn an advanced certificate in sales excellence.

“The Center for Sales Excellence provided me with real-world experience that goes beyond the classroom,” said Christopher Vasvery, management and marketing major from Lemont, Illinois. “Through hands-on projects and professional mentorship, I developed practical skills in communication, negotiation and problem-solving that have prepared me for success after graduation.”

Open to all majors, the program draws students from across the university.

“We take great pride in the fact the center works with students of any major at the university because we all sell something. Whether it's selling our skills to a future employer, selling in our jobs or simply selling our ideas to others, sales skills are valuable. These students have a competitive edge in the job market,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean and professor of finance.

The center’s role-play rooms feature state-of-the-art technology allowing students to practice pitches and receive real-time feedback, helping them refine their communication and selling techniques. Students build confidence through role-playing and other hands-on experiences, and many represent Nebraska in regional and national sales competitions.

“Each of our classes provides hands-on learning experiences," said Ravi Sohi, professor of marketing, Robert D. Hays Distinguished Chair of Sales Excellence and executive director of the Center for Sales Excellence. "Some of these experiences include role-plays, actual sales assignments with target quotas and networking. Through our employer partnerships, we also provide students with access to the sales platforms they'll use on the job, such as Salesforce, a cloud-based customer relationship management software, and xiQ, an AI software platform.”

Junior marketing major Sara Montalbano said the center played a key role in securing her summer internship.

“Whether getting hands-on experience with software like Salesforce or roleplaying real-life sales scenarios, the Center for Sales Excellence has given me countless unique learning opportunities I will apply to my future career,” said Montalbano, of Parkville, Missouri. “Prospective employers for my summer internship loved hearing about the skills and experiences gained through this program, and I accepted a sales internship with Mondelez International, one of the world’s largest snack companies.”

Sohi said more than 95% of these students have job offers upon graduation. Companies recently hiring sales students include Dell, Deloitte, Gallup, Hubspot, Mutual of Omaha, NRC Health, Oracle, Sandhills Global, Union Pacific and Walt Disney Company.

“Companies are pleased with the people they hire from our program and come back for more. It's the highest compliment,” he said. “They realize our students have the skills to succeed and are likely to stay longer in sales roles because they want to be in sales.”

Since its founding in 2013, the center has awarded more than 425 certificates and 120 advanced certificates. It has been named a “Top University for Professional Sales Education” by the Sales Education Foundation each year since 2014.

“Students receiving their certificates today are now our ambassadors to show others around campus and in the workforce what you can do with a certificate in sales excellence,” Sohi said. “I know these graduating students will do their best and utilize what they’ve learned. I encourage them to stay engaged with the program.”

Students who earned their undergraduate certificate of sales excellence are listed below by hometown, class standing based on credit hours earned, and academic major(s). Those who earned an advanced certificate are noted in parentheses.

Nebraska

Bennington: Evan Tomlinson, junior marketing

Central City: Jade Erickson, senior management

Columbus: Brandon Urkoski, junior marketing

Doniphan: Hannah Fjeldheim, senior marketing

Elkhorn: Kylie Eads, junior marketing and management; Benjamin Hastreiter, senior marketing; Ella Hazen, junior marketing and management; Reagan Moritz, senior marketing

Gretna: Jake Kozak, junior marketing; Dane Westengaard, senior marketing

Hayes Center: Karlie Erickson, senior communication studies

Hickman: Taylor McMurray, senior finance

Lincoln: Jon Canaday, senior management; Brayden McPhail, senior accounting and finance; Amani Mfinanga, senior management; Makenna Stanton, senior management; Avery Stege, senior finance; Joe Sutko, junior marketing; Tyler Vander Woude, senior marketing and management

Omaha: Ellie Anglim, junior business administration; Devyn Carmichael, senior marketing; Jack Connealy, senior accounting and marketing; Caroline Dubisar, junior marketing; Joseph Falk, senior finance; David Goldsmith, senior finance; Maris Grabill, senior marketing and management; Simon Hanus, senior finance; Sydney Moore, junior marketing and management; Logan Nelson, senior marketing (advanced certificate); Drew Shafer, senior finance and marketing (advanced certificate); Amanda Smolsky, senior marketing (advanced certificate)

Papillion: TJ Stanek, senior marketing

Plattsmouth: Taylor McClatchey, senior management

Valley: Audrey Frohloff, senior management and marketing; Ryan Zavadil, senior finance

Waterloo: MacKenzie Wheatley, senior marketing

Elsewhere

Windsor, Colorado: Maren Tuell, senior marketing

Chicago, Illinois: Ty Demand, junior finance and marketing; Benjamin Penner, junior finance

Elburn, Illinois: Morgan Phillipp, senior marketing

Geneva, Illinois: Celia Owen, senior marketing

Grayslake, Illinois: Owen Miller, sophomore marketing

Lake Zurich, Illinois: Taggart Niepomnik, junior finance

Lemont, Illinois: Christopher Vasvery, senior management and marketing (advanced certificate)

Northbrook, Illinois: Keaton Anderson, junior marketing

Wheaton, Illinois: Paige Leonard, junior marketing

Brownsburg, Indiana: Brynna Baker, senior nutrition and exercise science

Earling, Iowa: Savanna Musich, senior communication studies

Hays, Kansas: Madelyn Martin, senior marketing

Leawood, Kansas: Chase Davids, senior marketing; Andy Simeroth, senior business administration

Salina, Kansas: Reed McHenry, senior marketing (Raikes School)

Cottage Grove, Minnesota: Mara McGuire, senior marketing

Minnetonka, Minnesota: Chase Banken, senior marketing (advanced certificate); Ashley Haan, senior marketing

Victoria, Minnesota: Kaylee Wanless, senior marketing

Wayzata, Minnesota: Ryan Leary, senior agribusiness

Woodbury, Minnesota: Daniel Koland, senior economics; Allison Larsen, junior management and marketing

Parkville, Missouri: Sara Montalbano, senior marketing

Richmond, Missouri: Madison Teschner, senior marketing

North Sioux City, South Dakota: Mia Conley, senior business administration

Sioux Falls, South Dakota: Sabren Bortnem, senior marketing; Anna Engels, junior advertising and public relations; Matthew Haar, senior marketing