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Sales pushes students beyond their comfort zone. That's why Dr. Cindy Rippé, associate professor of sales in the Mike Cottrell College of Business, seeks to set the example for her students whether it's in the classroom or preparing for competitions.

"They see I work just as hard as they're working," Rippé said. "Our sales team works toward the goal of trying to do the absolute best we can."

She joined Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û in 2019 to launch a professional sales concentration in the marketing degree. Ever since, Rippé has encouraged and coached students to multiple successes in national and regional sales competitions. She is the director of the 2021 National Collegiate Sports Sales Championship, which Õý°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹û hosts virtually in early 2021 along with Baylor University's Center for Sports Strategy and Sales and the Atlanta Hawks.

"I believe strongly my classes should prepare students for the workforce," she said. "I want to simulate real-world activities to help them develop."

Rippé aims to connect with her students through authenticity and empathy. She said her student-centered approach enhances her ability to teach.

"If you care and you do things for students, it's real, it's authentic, and they can see it. Leaders can be focused on where they want to go," she said. "But what are the students' goals? What's in it for them? Where do they want to go? That can make a very big difference in getting their buy-in."

The consistent opportunities for sales practice in the classroom and competitions provide an ideal learning laboratory in Rippé's estimation.

"We have to create an environment where it's OK for students to make a mistake while they're learning a new skill," she said.

Rippé appreciates the ways sales training can benefit students whatever they do after graduation. From job searches to branding themselves, the benefits are extensive. All of her efforts come with an optimistic mantra for students: "Be our next success story."