Ole Miss BASE Earns Prestigious Recognition

This acknowledgment from the alliance marks a significant milestone for the School of Business Administration. The BASE program fosters connections among students, faculty and industry leaders, equipping the next generation of executives with skills and experience to thrive in a competitive business landscape.

Matthew Shaner, director of the Ole Miss BASE, expressed his gratitude for the program's rapid progress and national recognition.

"It's an honor because a relatively small group of universities receives this distinction," he said. "This program is only a few years old, and we are already being recognized for our accomplishments.

"I would like to send thanks to Barry Babin and the rest of our dedicated faculty for their unwavering support and commitment to student success. Our faculty work diligently to connect qualified students with meaningful career opportunities, aligning with the needs of industry."

The alliance works to advance the sales profession through education, research and industry partnerships. As a member institution, Ole Miss will have access to a platform for exchanging best practices with peer universities, connecting students with industry leaders and participating in recognition programs that celebrate achievement in sales education.

Barry Babin, chair of the Department of Marketing, Analytics and Professional Sales, emphasized the significance of attaining membership.

"The USCA is dedicated to advancing professional sales, and only university programs that share that dedication become members," he said. "Recognition by the USCA places our sales program among the top programs in the nation, and indeed, in the world."

The alliance bridges the gap between academia and the professional world, setting rigorous standards for sales education and recognizing excellence through its awards and programs.

Top: Ryan Botzong (right), of 49 Financial, shares a fist bump with a student at the 2024 fourth annual BASE spring summit on the Ole Miss campus. Photo by Hunt Mercier/Ole Miss Digital Imaging Services