Program Overview

Introduction to the Howard Sales Management Fellowship

The Howard Sales Management Fellowship is a program offered by Howard University in partnership with Vanguard, one of the world's leading investment management companies. The fellowship is designed to provide real-life experience in sales management to Howard University School of Business students.

Program Details

• The program is a year-long fellowship that includes fireside chats, monthly panels, biweekly mentorship meetings, and meet-and-greets with Vanguard employees.
• The fellowship is open to Howard University School of Business students, with a focus on providing opportunities for students to learn and apply strategic sales skills.
• The program includes a capstone project, where students present their work to peers and faculty, and provides opportunities for students to explore careers in sales management.

Benefits and Outcomes

• The fellowship has been successful in preparing students for careers in sales, with two of the inaugural class intending to take either an internship or full-time role at Vanguard.
• The program has also led to the creation of a new, advanced sales course called Strategic Relationship Management, which introduces students to concepts such as sales analytics.
• The partnership between Howard University and Vanguard has provided opportunities for students and faculty to explore the evolution of sales through a professional lens and familiarize themselves with Vanguard's client-centric mission.

Faculty and Partnership

• The program is supported by faculty members, including Professor Efua Obeng, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor Melvin Washington, Ph.D.
• The partnership between Howard University and Vanguard has resulted in University-wide events, including sales-related virtual events and a Sales Case Competition, which have increased student interest in the fellowship.

Student Experience

• Students who have participated in the fellowship have reported that it has made them significantly more prepared for a career in sales.
• The fellowship has also provided students with the opportunity to learn from Vanguard mentors and explore how sales fit into their current career goals.

Future of the Program

• The success of the fellowship has led to plans for future cohorts, with new students joining the program in subsequent years.
• The program is expected to continue providing opportunities for students to learn and apply strategic sales skills, and to explore careers in sales management.