Emily Watts joins TCU Sales Center as its 1st Program Director

TCU Sales Center is excited to announce, Emily Watts as our 1st Program Director.

"Emily has been part of many firsts at the TCU Sales Center and within our program. In 2018-2019, she was a member of the first cohort to go through our program. She then participated in the first live selling exercise with Afterburner er as a sales coach and helped build our first Personal Selling Essentials bootcamp. Today, the entire TCU Sales Frog Family proudly welcomes Emily as the first to lead our program as Program Director.

This role, along with Emily's leadership, is critical not only to the success of our program but also to its future impact. Emily will be tasked with leading three critical initiatives:

1. Enhance the student educational experience
2. Enhance the corporate engagement experience
3. Enhance and expand student job/internship placements

Emily's unique experience and understanding of the TCU Sales Center, amplified by her huge heart, marketing experience and education, success in recruiting, and undeniable passion for TCU, make her the perfect fit to join the TCU Sales Center leadership team. Welcome, Emily!"

Dr. Zachary Hall , Founder and Director, TCU Sales Center

Some insights and thoughts from Emily regarding this role, what it means to her, and the sales program.

What excites you about the role?

EVERYTHING! Absolutely about the role excites me, from the daily challenges to the long-term achievements. Working directly with the program that had such a significant impact on my own life feels incredibly rewarding. Additionally, being an advocate and cheerleader for the students, both during their time at TCU and beyond, is a responsibility I deeply cherish. This role allows me to give back and contribute to the growth and success of future sales professionals and horned frogs"

What you love most about TCU

What I love most about TCU is undoubtedly the people; it may sound cliché, but they truly make the university the best. The sense of community and support among students, faculty, and staff is unparalleled.

Additionally, the excitement and spirit surrounding TCU football add a unique and thrilling dimension to the campus experience. The combination of these elements makes TCU a remarkable place to be.

What are some of your goals for the semester

"Wow, this is a tough one as the program has grown and changed so much from when I was here. However, from my understanding of the role, other sales programs, and recruiting, my Fall 2024 goals are:

1. Understand: Truly get to know the ins and outs of the program from the 60+ events, 100+ customers, 30 sponsors, 9 partners to the 200+ amazing students and their experience in class. I can't make changes or improvements without the full grasp of the complexity of the TCU Sales Program.
2. Improve operational excellence: It is difficult to grow or improve without replicable processes (that work) in place. That will be a top priority of my first semester so that we can grow even more.
3. Help in Career Placement: I've been in these students shoes as well as on the other side of the recruiting table. These perspectives can enable me to help students not only find the perfect job-fit but also land that job.

Some highlights from Emily's journey from a TCU undergrad to corporate America and back to lead here at TCU

Campus Involvement while at TCU

During her time at Texas Christian University (TCU), Emily Watts actively engaged in several organizations that shaped her leadership skills and professional development.

Gamma Phi Beta

Notably, Emily was deeply involved in her sorority, Gamma Phi Beta, where she served as the New Member Educator. Her role in Gamma Phi Beta was instrumental in mentoring and guiding new members, fostering a supportive and inclusive community.

Today, Emily also serves as the President for the Associated Housing Corp for Gamma Phi Beta.

“Being part of a sorority gave me friendships that became family and leadership skills that have shaped who I am today. The sisters I've met along the way have become my lifelong friends, always there to support and encourage me. Through countless events and projects, I learned how to lead with confidence, work effectively in a team, and make a positive impact in my community.” Emily Watts

American Marketing Association

Emily was an active member of the American Marketing Association, where she honed her marketing skills and expanded her professional network. She is looking forward to working with Dr. Brandon Chicotsky and Dr. Ken Corbit on the revamped AMA group at TCU.

Neeley Navigators

Emily played a significant role in Neeley Navigators, serving as the Vice President of Membership. In this capacity, she contributed to the growth and engagement of the organization, helping fellow students navigate their academic and professional journeys.

TCU Sales Program

Without a doubt, Emily Watts's experience at Texas Christian University (TCU) was profoundly transformed by her involvement in the Sales Program. She often remarks, “I wouldn’t be who I am today without the Sales Program and their faculty/staff.” Emily's journey with the Sales Program was unique, as she initially hesitated to join, believing sales only meant car sales. However, after some extra encouragement from Dr. Hall, she decided to enroll and became part of the first official cohort.

In the Sales Program, Emily learned to become comfortable being uncomfortable. From making cold calls in front of the class to roleplaying daily and learning how to converse with executives, she was continually pushed out of her comfort zone. These experiences transformed her, shaping her into the professional she is today.

When approached about becoming a Coach for the Sales Program, Emily knew this new role would present different challenges, but she embraced the opportunity with excitement. Being a coach ignited a passion in her heart for helping others, particularly students, grow as sales professionals. This passion led her to a role at Paycom and ultimately to her current position with the Sales Center team.

TCU Graduate

In May of 2021, Emily graduated with her Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Marketing and the Consultative Selling Certificate. After graduation she pursued her “passion project” where she worked for a non-profit overseeing their Marketing and Communications Department for 6 months helping implement strategies for operational excellence and supporting them in completing roughly 2000+ projects for social media, digital art, print piece, and apparel.

Paycom - Sales Recruiter

Beginning of January 2022, Emily transitioned to Paycom as a Sales Recruiter. Focusing on full cycle recruiting and partnering with hiring managers to establish business needs, then pairing network of candidates to hire full time sales representatives and sales interns.

Emily saw a lot of success at Paycom winning

• MVP (FY22),
• Ultimate Team Player (FY23), and
• Recruiter of the Year (FY23).