2018-19 Annual Report

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EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IN THE SCHOOL OF MARKETING The College of Business and Economic Development School of Marketing faculty incorporate client-based projects into their curriculum, allowing the students to solve real-world problems as they prepare to begin their careers. Organizations nationwide have become clients for 300- and 400-level courses across the curriculum in the school. To begin, companies introduce real problems they face to the students. Students apply the skills that they are learning in the classroom to present marketing and implementation plans, business plans and innovative solutions to the clients. While the organization is receiving the benefit of cost-free consulting, the students are provided with (1) a networking opportunity and (2) hands-on experience in developing and presenting strategic plans, better preparing them for their future careers. Paige Whiting PROFESSIONAL SELLING PROGRAM INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS Professor Chris Balaski has integrated multiple experiential learning opportunities into his Professional Selling course curriculum in an effort to better prepare his students for their careers in the sales field after graduation. Students in Advanced Professional Selling had the opportunity to present mock sales pitches to Frito-Lay representatives Katie Frederick, Jamil Murray, Cody Self and Rachel Anthony. The students played the role of a Frito-Lay salesman selling products and displays, while the representatives played the role of a store owner. Following the presentations, the students received detailed feedback from the guests on their pitch. Paige Whiting was chosen by Frito-Lay as having the best pitch. LISTED IN THE TOP UNIVERSITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL SALES EDUCATION IN THE NATION, ACCORDING TO THE 20<strong>19</strong> SALES EDUCATION FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT This class also partnered with an improvisational course and put one another to the test through role-play scenarios. The theatre students acted as potential customers, while the professional selling students pitched their product, Federated Insurance. This allowed both groups of students to practice the skills they are learning in their respective courses. SOUTHERN MISS IS THE ONLY UNIVERSITY TO OFFER A PROFESSIONAL SELLING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM IN THE STATE. 24 | C O L L E G E O F B U S I N E S S A N D E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N T

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MARKETING PROGRAM CLASSROOM CONSULTANTS During the fall <strong>2018</strong> semester, Dr. Joanne Cao's Integrated Marketing Communications class worked with three clients in an effort to deliver innovative solutions to marketing and communication problems. The clients included Fourth Street CrossFit, two of the owners being Southern Miss alumni, Heather Graham and Daryl Bosarge; Petal Excel by 5, alumna Nadine Coleman being a board member for the organization; and Boys and Girls Country of Houston. The Boys and Girls Country of Houston is a nonprofit organization licensed by the state of Texas as a residential home. Boys and Girls Country addresses a child's wellbeing, helping to break the cycle of poverty for children by providing a secure, stable, Christian home environment with an emphasis on education, building healthy relationships, and setting goals for the future. They do this with broadbased financial support and hundreds of volunteers. Charles "Chuck" Scianna, a member of the Board of Directors for Boys and Girls Country, connected the school with the organization. Scianna is an alumnus of Southern Miss, the College of Business and Economic Development <strong>2018</strong> Entrepreneur of the Year, and the namesake for Scianna Hall, the building that houses the College of Business and Economic Development on the Hattiesburg campus. Sasha Smith, communications and marketing manager, represented the Boys and Girls Country of Houston during the presentation as students pitched ideas to increase brand awareness, financial support and volunteers. Boys and Girls Country of Houston has also partnered with Dr. Gallayanee Yaoyuneyong's Apparel Product Development course to develop welcome packages for a new monthly donation campaign and her Digital Media Merchandising course to work on their website, blog and other digital presence. THIS STORY WAS ALSO FEATURED IN THE HATTIESBURG AMERICAN. A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 1 8 - 1 9 | 25