The Towson Strategic Sales Center (TSSC) will serve as a hub for professional sales education and research for faculty, students and staff of the College of Business & Economics (CBE) and greater TU community.

The new center, located in Stephens Hall, room 117, builds on the success of CBE’s Strategic Sales Competition and bolsters TU’s sales program. The new center directly supports TU’s mission to “prepare students for careers in high demand today and in the future” through the practice of professional selling and the education of the next generation of professionals.

Sales jobs represent 13% of employment in the U.S. and 28% of marketing students rank professional selling as the most valuable course taken within the major in the annual survey of marketing graduates. The survey highlights the importance of professional selling careers and sales training. The TSSC will centralize curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular sales education activities, including a new student Sales Club and Professional Sales Advisory Board.

“I’m excited this center has officially opened to enhance the educational experiences of students in the College of Business & Economics,” says Melanie Perreault, TU’s provost and executive vice president for academic and student affairs. “This new sales hub will foster innovation for students, and I’m looking forward to watching it grow.”

This new sales hub will foster innovation for students, and I’m looking forward to watching it grow.

Melanie Perreault

The establishment of a stand-alone sales entity on campus is an important step toward membership in the University Sales Center Alliance (USCA), an group committed to advancing the field of professional sales and shaping the next generation of sales professionals.

The TSSC will be a catalyst for developing additional upper-level sales courses, launching a professional selling minor and extending Towson University’s reputation as a leader in sales education. It will also serve as a hub for summer research support through CBE and sales student scholarships. The TSSC has a dedicated space for a role play center for recording sales practices for the annual Strategic Sales Competition and a lounge for faculty, students and strategic partners to network and collaborate.

This center will bridge academia and professional sales practices, showcasing and engaging the broader community with the exciting developments happening at Towson University.

Judy Harris

"I’m proud that the new strategic sales center will not only benefit our students and enrich their experience at Towson University, but also foster stronger connections with the community,” says CBE Interim Dean Judy Harris. “This center will bridge academia and professional sales practices, showcasing and engaging the broader community with the exciting developments happening at Towson University.”

In addition to providing a space for students to develop professional skills, collaborate on research and build their professional network, the center will create an inclusive, equitable environment that fosters the growth of all students.

“I am very proud of our sales students and faculty and excited for the development of the center,” says Erin Steffes, chair of the marketing department. “The TSSC will enhance faculty and student involvement and strengthen our connections to the greater business community.”