College of Business Gains Membership in Prestigious Alliance
JONESBORO — Arkansas State University’s College of Business continues its string of successful ventures by attaining membership in the prestigious University Sales Center Alliance (USCA). Dean of the College of Business Dr. Shane Hunt was notified in December of the program’s acceptance.
“I am very happy to share the good news that we have been approved for membership in the prestigious University Sales Center Alliance,” Hunt said. “This group represents the top sales programs in the world, and we are now part of this truly exceptional group.”
Hunt cited the efforts of Dr. Katie Hill, assistant professor of marketing, for navigating the required documentation process to achieve membership.
In 2002, a consortium of sales centers representing nine universities met to develop an organization that would improve sales field professionalism, establish sales as an academic discipline and to offer assistance to other institutions of higher learning to succeed in this undertaking.
The USCA links university faculty members to different expertise and backgrounds. These inventive teachers advocate for the continuing advancement of the sales profession through teaching, research and outreach.
Hunt went on to say fewer than 35 sales programs in the world have built programs strong enough to attain membership with members including Michigan State, Purdue, Virginia Tech and Indiana. As membership and interest grow, the USCA is able to assist many universities and interested sales faculty around the U.S. and internationally.
“This is truly an outstanding recognition for our R.M. ‘Bob’ Wood Sales Leadership Center that enhances our brand as a college and provides additional opportunities for our students,” Hunt added. “I also want thank the Wood family again as without their extraordinarily generous gift, we would not have been able to reach this level so fast.”
The sales leadership center which began in October 2015 with help from a major gift of $1 million from the Wood family, provides a laboratory environment for students and area professionals to perfect their sales and presentation skills and includes state-of-the-art video training software along with two practice environments – a boardroom and individual sales-presentation settings. Construction of the facility is underway, and the endowment will support other future student needs within the center.
