Dr. Donde Plowman, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business Administration, presented 19 students with their certificates in sales excellence at a celebration at Misty’s restaurant in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska, on April 25. More than 100 students enrolled in the program since it began in August 2014.

Dr. Ravi Sohi, professor and Robert D. Hays Distinguished Chair of Sales Excellence, welcomed the sales students to the event and lauded them for their efforts in helping create a program producing students employers are seeking to hire.

 “We started this program due to feedback we received from companies looking for students with a broader skill set in sales regardless of their major,” said Sohi. “Employers value the sales certificate, and the success of our program is because our students are demonstrating to employers they have skills the companies want.”

Plowman sees the program as another piece for the college to attract students from all majors.

“Almost everything I do in my job is sales, even if it’s just trying to sell a colleague on an idea someone has,” said Plowman. “I knew many of these sales students before they started in the program and I see the transformation in them. It’s nothing short of remarkable what they’ve achieved, and the program has become a difference maker under Ravi’s leadership and the great new faculty he’s hired.”

Both Plowman and Sohi thanked Mike Hays, CEO of National Research Corporation who also attended the event, for his assistance in getting the program off the ground.

“Mike gave us both financial support and valuable feedback on how to tailor the program,” said Sohi. “He has talked to our students and continues to give guidance on what skills are most important in today’s workplace.”

Students earning certificates also voiced their appreciation for having the opportunity to get practical sales experience in a dynamic new program. In all, 36 students have received their certificates in sales excellence since the program began.

“After my first semester in the sales certificate program I knew I made a great decision,” said Nathaniel Ash, a senior management major from Lincoln. “The professors are passionate about what they teach and provide real world examples. In every profession you’ll be doing some type of selling. This program teaches you the skills and techniques that are transferable to any type of selling you’ll do. This program also gave me a better understanding of what I want to pursue after college, and I can’t thank the professors in the program enough for that.”

Recent students receiving their certificates:

Name – Hometown Nathaniel Ash – Lincoln, Nebraska Aaron Docter – Firth, Nebraska Andrew Driscoll – Papillion, Nebraska Dave Dudney – Gretna, Nebraska Ann Holen – Kearney, Nebraska Amanda Johnson – Omaha, Nebraska Colton Jones – Norfolk, Nebraska Jenny Jones – Lincoln, Nebraska Alex Kidwell – Lee's Summit, Missouri Tucker Krantz – Centennial, Colorado Alexander Lahargoue – Lincoln, Nebraska Nick Moor – Omaha, Nebraska Simon Ostrander – Hastings, Nebraska Samantha Peterson – Omaha, Nebraska Alex Rapp – Omaha, Nebraska Kelly Schatz – Naperville, Illinois Marshall Scott – Omaha, Nebraska Ben Sheehey – Bellevue, Nebraska Parker Stock – Lincoln, Nebraska Jacques Tallichet – Lincoln, Nebraska Cayd Van Ackeren – Elkhorn, Nebraska Cole Weers – Diller, Nebraska Dillon Whittier – Omaha, Nebraska

Class Year and Major Senior – Business Administration Senior – Management Junior – Marketing and Management Senior – Marketing Senior – English Junior – Business Admin. and Marketing Junior – Business Administration Junior – Marketing Junior – Marketing Junior – Marketing Junior – Management Junior – Marketing Senior – Agribusiness Senior – Marketing Sophomore – Advertising and Public Relations Senior – Marketing and Finance Senior – Management Senior – Marketing Junior – Marketing and Management Senior – Marketing and Spanish Senior – Business Administration Junior – Marketing and Management Junior – Management

Facebook Photo Album of Sales Certificate Presentations Published: April 30, 2016