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This month, the Southard Institute for Sales Excellence in the University of Tampa’s Sykes College of Business became the third sales program in Florida and the 50^th around the world to earn full membership status in the University Sales Center Alliance. The news was announced at USCA’s fall meeting in Chicago.

“Full membership in the USCA gives us more status and recognition in the sales academic world,” said Stacey Schetzsle, SISE director and associate professor of marketing. “It’s like having programmatic accreditation for sales education.”

The USCA requires that full members have standalone sales centers with role-play facilities, at least three sales faculty and pass a site visit, among other criteria.

Students have already benefited from the SISE’s years as an associate member. Those who complete a minor in professional selling are eligible for a sales certification from USCA. Students also have access to Salesforce, a leading customer relationship management platform.

Schetzsle said that her connection with USCA member schools extends the hiring network for graduates. “I was just talking to a student who wants to go to Chicago, and I told her, ‘Let me call my colleague at a USCA school so that I can see what companies they work with and how we can make an introduction for you,’” Schetzsle said.

UTampa also is listed as a top university for professional sales education by the Sales Education Foundation.