Sixty-nine University of Nebraska–Lincoln students have earned undergraduate certificates in sales excellence and were honored at an April 17 luncheon hosted by the Center for Sales Excellence.
The students completed 15 credit hours of sales coursework that sharpened communication and relationship-building skills. Twelve of the students took another three credit hours to earn an advanced certificate.
“It is not an easy path, and these students should be proud of what they accomplished,” said Chad Mardesen, interim director of the Center for Sales Excellence and associate professor of practice in marketing. “Many of them competed in sales competitions at Nebraska and on the national stage, joined organizations like the Sales Club and took advantage of opportunities beyond the classroom. Now they can help show other students what is possible through the program.”
Open to all majors, the program draws students from across the university.
“We take great pride in the fact that the center works with students of any major at the university, because we all sell something,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean and professor of finance in the College of Business. “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.”
State-of-the-art technology within role-play rooms in the Center for Sales Excellence allows students to practice pitching and receive real-time feedback on their techniques, honing communication and selling capabilities. Students build confidence through role-playing and other hands-on experiences, including selling real products, sponsorships and experiences.
“Each of our classes gives students hands-on learning experiences that help them build confidence and prepare for what they’ll do after graduation,” Mardesen said. “Students practice through role-plays, sales projects, competitions, networking and other real-world experiences. They also get access to the same sales technology and tools they will use in their careers.
“Companies recruit here because they know our students have the skills to succeed, and many of these students start in the program when they are sophomores, giving them time to fully engage in internships, competitions and networking.”
This is the largest group of certificate earners in the program’s history, including the largest number of students who pursued the advanced certificate. The advanced certificate includes a discussion-based class and hands-on project selling corporate partnerships for the center.
The Center for Sales Excellence has awarded nearly 500 certificates and 130 advanced certificates since its founding in 2013, and Nebraska has been named a “Top University for Professional Sales Education” by the Sales Education Foundation each year since 2014.
“I also hope (the students) stay connected with the relationships they built here with faculty, staff, employer partners and other students,” Mardesen said. “Those connections continue to make a difference long after graduation.”
Following is a list of students who have earned a certificate in sales excellence, listed alphabetically by hometown, with their year in school and major(s). Students who earned an advance certificate are denoted in parentheses.
Nebraska
Ashland:
- Parker Poole, senior, business administration
Beatrice:
- Joshua Buhr, senior, business administration
Bellevue:
- Andrea Boslaugh, senior, marketing (advanced certificate)
Elkhorn:
- Abigail Beaton, senior, marketing
- Maddie Epp, senior, marketing
- Nolan Lane, senior, management and marketing
- Gigi Salerno, senior, advertising and public relations
Fremont:
- Jordan Baumert, senior, marketing (advanced certificate)
Grand Island:
- Carson Wolfe, senior, finance
Gretna:
- Tyler Hill, senior, finance
Hastings:
- Charli Coil, junior, management
Holdrege:
- Matthew Janssen, senior, business administration
Kearney:
- Hudson Bertrand, junior, marketing
Lincoln:
- Joseph Cockerill, junior, marketing
- Nicolas Deaver, senior, finance
- Austin Herman, senior, marketing
- Dylan Kluthe, senior, supply chain management
- Charlie McCown, senior, marketing (advanced certificate)
- Henry Moberly, senior, management
- Joseph Patera, senior, accounting
- Kate Peterson, senior, marketing (advanced certificate)
- Conner Reinmiller, junior, finance
- Joshua Richardson, junior, marketing (advanced certificate)
- Caleb Sajevic, senior, management
- Luke Schlegelmilch, senior, finance
- Joe Sutko, senior, marketing (advanced certificate)
- Joseph Zabawa, senior, management
Omaha:
- Ellie Anglim, senior, business administration (advanced certificate)
- Westby Dunn, senior, advertising and public relations
- Bekki Franco, senior, nutrition and health sciences
- Jacob Hove, junior, marketing
- Andrew Jiron, senior, business administration
- Aidan Kelch, junior, marketing
- Cassy Limley, senior, marketing
- Stella Minge, senior, advertising and public relations
- Brandt Munson, senior, management and marketing (advanced certificate)
- Cohen Munson, senior, finance
- Carson Protaskey, senior, finance
- Sophia Rife, senior, management and marketing
Papillion:
- Ethan Schroeder, senior, finance and management
Pender:
- Trey Johnson, senior, management and marketing
Plattsmouth:
- Kylie Cooke, senior, marketing
- Brody McClatchey, junior, marketing
- Joe Vrtiska, junior, marketing
Valley:
- Cadence McCollister, senior, advertising and public relations
Wahoo:
- Karley Golladay, senior, marketing
Waterloo:
- Jonah Harrison, senior, accounting and finance
Elsewhere in the U.S.
Peoria, Arizona:
- Ella Bowman, senior, marketing
Colorado Springs, Colorado:
- Alanna Wilson, junior, marketing (advanced certificate)
Glenwood, Iowa:
- Kamryn Crouch, senior, finance and marketing
Arlington Heights, Illinois:
- Sean Safford, senior, finance
Aurora, Illinois:
- Matthew Crerand, junior, accounting and finance
Bull Valley, Illinois:
- Joseph Weinberger, junior, management
Lake Villa, Illinois:
- Chase Bollinger, junior, finance
Lisle, Illinois:
- Kylie Russell, senior, advertising and public relations, and broadcasting
Naperville, Illinois:
- Tyler Auer, senior, accounting
Roscoe, Illinois:
- Joe Idstein, senior, management and marketing (advanced certificate)
Wheaton, Illinois:
- Tom Dey, senior, marketing
Lawrence, Kansas:
- Reed Parker-Timms, senior, marketing
Olathe, Kansas:
- Hank Phillips, junior, marketing
Overland Park, Kansas:
- Meghan Fries, senior, finance (advanced certificate)
Chanhassen, Minnesota:
- Jack Gallagher, senior, marketing
Victoria, Minnesota:
- Emily Fornetti, senior, management and marketing
Waconia, Minnesota:
- Nora Bailey, senior, international business
- Hailey Bigaouette, senior, management and marketing
Kansas City, Missouri:
- Raquel Skerston, senior, international business
Horace, Nevada:
- Kennedy Colter, junior, marketing (advanced certificate)
Dakota Dunes, South Dakota:
- Tyler Schutte, senior, marketing
Sioux Falls, South Dakota:
- Brooke Harvison, senior, accounting and marketing
