Georgia Southern University chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon honored as competition finalists at the 2026 PSE National Convention
Professional networking, scholarship, competition, education, and relationship building were on the agenda as Pi Sigma Epsilon held its 2026 National Convention in Norfolk, VA.
STATESBORO, GA (April 2, 2026) – The Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE) National Convention offered students the opportunity to network with industry experts, thought leaders, and fellow participants who share a passion for personal and professional development. Held in Norfolk, VA, the 2026 convention offered a wide range of sessions, panel discussions, competitions and professional development workshops.
The PSE National Convention hosted several individual competitions, including The Pro-Am Sell-a-Thon® National Sales Competition presented by Vector Marketing, The National Speakers Competition presented by Enterprise Mobility, The Sports Selling Competition presented by the New York Mets, The PSE National Awards Program and The Interview Competition presented by Mutual of Omaha. In addition, students had the opportunity to compete in The National Scholarship Program with the opportunity to be awarded one of 21 scholarships, totaling more than $50,000.
“I’m extremely proud of our team, many first-time competitors, who decided to prepare and train for the PSE National Convention, on top of their other academic commitments,” said Brickey, senior lecturer of marketing, director of the Center for Sales Excellence and advisor of the Gamma Lambda chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon. “The students representing Georgia Southern at the national convention included Jenn Atkins, Jonathan Foreman, Cody Hood, Jason Payne, Devin Schneiderman, Katie Smith, Katie Thompson and Samantha Vargas. I am extremely proud of these students; they each represented their university with dignity and class amongst their peer institutions.”
Georgia Southern’s Gamma Lambda Chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon earned the following honors:
The Pro-Am Sell-a-Thon® Competition
- Devin Schneiderman – 5th place finalist among 185 competitors
- Cody Hood – Round 2, advanced to the field of 35
Presented by Vector Marketing, The Pro-Am Sell-a-Thon® National Sales Competition is a year-long competition to train and develop students in all aspects of the sales process. The year-long approach also emphasizes that the pursuit of sales excellence is a journey, not a destination. Students strive to understand the value of approaching sales as a deliberate and repeatable process. Before the convention, contestants had to complete sales modules developed by Carew International. The sales call itself took the form of a 12-minute sales role-play, which had 185 elite PSE sales students representing universities from across the nation competing.
“Representing Georgia Southern’s Gamma Lambda Chapter at the 2026 PSE National Convention in Norfolk was an honor I don’t take lightly,” said Schneiderman, a senior marketing major with an emphasis in sales & sales management. “Placing in the top five at the Pro-Am Sell-A-Thon National Sales Competition, a first for our chapter, is something I’m incredibly proud of. I’m grateful for the guidance and mentorship of chapter advisor Travis Brickey, whose support made this possible. Experiences like this one are truly irreplaceable!”
The Interview Competition
- Cody Hood – Runner-up, top 7 finalist
- Jennifer Atkins – Round 2, advanced to the field of 24
- Jason Payne – Round 2, advanced to the field of 24
The goal of The Interview Competition is to give students the opportunity to learn interview techniques, practice interviewing with a live judge, and compete for prizes. Presented by Mutual of Omaha, this competition provides students with the opportunity to network and build relationships with potential employers. More than 100 competitors were judged on criteria based on what was learned from the interview guide that was provided, as well as each pre-training session.
“My first PSE National Convention will be difficult to top! Being around hundreds of students from such diverse backgrounds, all challenging themselves alongside me, really fueled my competitive nature,” said Hood, a junior marketing major with an emphasis in sales & sales management. “Finishing as a National Runner Up for the Interview Competition and as a Semi-Finalist for my first Sales Competition is something I’m very proud of. The friendships and connections I have made on these trips are the kind that will last me a lifetime. No matter what your major, PSE has a place for you and will help you get real-world experience under your belt!”
The National Awards Program
- Top Marketing/Sales Project (Profit) Award – Top 5 finalists
The National Awards Program is the pinnacle of each chapter’s yearly achievements, offering a platform to compete with other chapters nationwide. This program provides outstanding opportunities for chapters and individual members to refine their skills in a highly realistic and competitive environment. Participants submit written reports, deliver verbal presentations, and engage in group panel interviews, all while building practical business skills. They gain recognition for chapters and individual accomplishments across various categories.
The Gamma Lambda Chapter at Georgia Southern University extends its deepest gratitude to the corporate partners of the Center for Sales Excellence. Only with your support are opportunities like this possible for our students as we work together to mentor and develop the sales leaders of the next generation. Our program and students are extremely grateful for your commitment to sales education!
Center for Sales Excellence, Georgia Southern University
Located within Georgia Southern University’s Parker College of Business, the Center for Sales Excellence is recognized by the University Sales Center Alliance and the Sales Education Foundation as one of the nation’s top sales programs. Established in 2007, it is the mission of the Center to have a positive impact on the sales profession through education, research, and service. The Marketing B.B.A. program offers the students of Georgia Southern University an emphasis in Sales and Sales Management.
Through the Center, students gain experience with sales role-play in our dedicated labs, with many going on to compete in some of the nation’s most prestigious sales competitions. The Center also works to bring students together with companies in the industry looking to hire the best and brightest minds. It is the goal of the Center to be the preeminent sales program in the nation.
Pi Sigma Epsilon
Pi Sigma Epsilon is the nation’s only professional business fraternity for men and women in the fields of sales, marketing, and management. Since its inception in 1952, PSE has enriched the lives of over 65,000 people and has established chapters on over 170 campuses nationwide. For more information on Pi Sigma Epsilon, visit https://www.pse.org/.
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