Marketing Management students give “shark tank” style pitch as final exam

SAVANNAH, GA – Savannah Technical College prepares students with hands-on training, which leads to non-traditional final exams. Professional Selling and Entrepreneurship students will apply what they’ve learned this semester with a “shark tank” style presentation plus business plan or manuscript as their final exam representing one-third of their overall grade.

“The shark-tank style pitch competition that we are using for the professional selling and entrepreneurship programs have really amped the fun and excitement for students,” said Savannah Technical College adjunct-instructor Catherine Blake. “Our students are often military veterans and career changers. The pitch gives them the confidence they need to crush the interview, land the job or close new business. I like to think that we are changing lives and giving some a fresh start in life.”

Students are given criteria for their pitch to either land their dream job, go for a promotion from within, land an investor or important customer. The presentations are timed and presented to the entire class, where other students act as the “sharks.” Students receive their official grade from the instructor. To add to the suspense of the student presentations, the other students will score each other to determine the overall winner. The class will also provide an opportunity for a “Leadership Award” for the student who has demonstrated good character, professionalism, and the spirit to help others. 

“This professional selling class has significantly increased my confidence in my ability to sell and present myself to others,” said STC Marketing student and U.S. Marine Corps reservist Corporal Xavier Hollie. “I highly recommend this class to anyone, regardless of what degree you pursue.”

STC Hospitality student Piea Delos Santos said: “Thanks to the Professional Selling class we are better prepared for job interviews. We are sure to land the job because we were given a step-by-step process. This class has helped me become less anxious speaking in front of a crowd, which is a big deal to me since I’m a very reserved and quiet person.”

Last semester in the Professional Selling class, students Amaya Baker and Gemya Gadson landed internal promotions based on their “shark tank” style final exam presentations. Another student, Bronwyn Dawson pitched her business plan to an imaginary official for the City of Savannah. Dawson is an U.S. Army veteran, will graduate from Savannah Technical College in May 2021 with a Marketing Management degree and was a candidate for “BizPitch Savannah 2020” Entrepreneurial Competition presented by SCORE.

“STC’s marketing program has helped me tremendously prepare to open my business,” STC Marketing Management and U.S. Army active duty Sergeant Varquesha Henderson. “I’ve gained valuable knowledge and skills that will help me run my proposed business successfully.”

Entrepreneurship and Professional Selling are included in STC’s Marketing programs (degree and diploma).  Both courses may be taken as business-type electives in the Business Management program. Entrepreneurship is offered as a specialization in Marketing and also as a technical certificate of credit (TCC). Professional selling is required for Marketing and is an elective for Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. Entrepreneurship is offered in the fall semester only. Professional Selling will be offered in Spring 2021, where classes begin on January 13.

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# 2115 | December 8, 2020

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Technical College complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.

Dr. Morris selected for Vice President of Academic Affairs

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah Technical College has selected Ashley Morris, Ed.D., as its Vice President for Academic Affairs. As Vice President, Morris will administer, plan and evaluate institutional services including supervision and leadership in activities of instruction personnel, institutional academic programs, in-service activities and budget related to operation of the department. Dr. Morris has been STC’s Dean for Business and Professional Services division since February 2019.

”We are delighted for Dr. Morris to lead Academic Affairs for Savannah Technical College,” said STC President Dr. Kathy S. Love. “Her academic leadership and educational background will continue the college’s tradition of providing high-quality instructional programs that address student and employer needs.”

Morris has nearly a decade of experience with higher education and administration. Prior to coming to Savannah Tech, Morris worked as the Dean of Academic Affairs and Quality Enhancement Plan Director for Albany Technical College. She also was the Chief Executive Officer for Reaching for Stars Tutoring Services in Hinesville, Ga. She gained teaching experience as an English instructor for Albany Technical College and Savannah Technical College. She has also worked as an academic advisor.

She has a Doctorate of Education in Higher Education Leadership and a Master of Arts in English from Georgia Southern University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Education from Mercer University.  Morris has also earned Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.

Among many notable awards and accolades, she was named one of Southwest Georgia’s 40 under 40 in 2017. She also serves as an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

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# 2114 | December 1, 2020

Media Contact: Amy Shaffer, APR
912.443.5512 or ashaffer@savannahtech.edu

 

A unit of the Technical College System of Georgia, Savannah Technical College (Savannah Tech) is the premier provider of career-ready technical education in Coastal Georgia, offering a comprehensive range of nearly 150 market-driven programs, preparing students for high-demand careers including Aviation Technology, Cybersecurity, Health Sciences, Logistics & Supply Chain Management, Automation & Robotics, Information Technology, Culinary Arts, Public Services and more. With campuses in Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty Counties, Savannah Tech serves more than 13,000 credit and non-credit students with a variety of pathways to success, including dual enrollment programs for high school students and specialized support services for military veterans and their families. Beyond academics, Savannah Tech is an economic and community development partner, collaborating with industry leaders to provide customized training programs, assessment services, and continuing education opportunities. For more information, visit www.savannahtech.edu.

Savannah Technical College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas and technical certificates of credit. Questions about the accreditation of Savannah Technical College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Savannah Technical College complies with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG). The TCSG State Board prohibits discrimination on the basis of an individual’s age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status (“protected status”). No individual shall be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to unlawful discrimination, harassment, or retaliation under, any TCSG program or activity because of the individual’s protected status; nor shall any individual be given preferential treatment because of the individual’s protected status, except the preferential treatment may be given on the basis of veteran status when appropriate under federal or state law.