Student Spotlight - Teague Howell

1. Tell us about where you grew up and how you ended up at UK and Gatton
College

I grew up in Louisville, but I bled blue from the time I was an infant. Growing up in
Kentucky, I have always been surrounded by a strong sense of community and school
pride, which has shaped me into who I am today. Looking back, I have always been
around the University of Kentucky, whether it was going to watch UK’s 2014 undefeated
team, or watching my Mom speak at an entrepreneurship graduate class, UK has
always felt like a place where I could challenge myself alongside a strong community.

When I started the college search process, I was initially drawn to schools out of state.
After countless applications and conversations with admissions offices, I realized the
best opportunity had been right in front of me all along. Choosing the Gatton College of
Business and Economics and the Lewis Honors College has proven to be one of the
best decisions I’ve made. Through both programs, I’ve had the chance to take on
meaningful leadership roles, develop professionally, and surround myself with people
who push me to grow and opportunities that have shaped my college experience in
ways I never expected.

2. What is your major? What are your plans after graduation, and what do you
hope to achieve in your professional life someday?

I hold a dual degree in marketing and management, with a minor in international
business and a sales certificate. Wow, that is a mouthful. I’ve been fortunate enough to
be a Global Scholar within the Gatton Pathways. I had the opportunity to study and
intern abroad in Paris, France, which taught me invaluable skills that extended beyond
the classroom.

After graduation, I will be working in Pittsburgh, PA, as a Strategic Optimization Analyst
for Hines Furlong Line. I am extremely excited for this opportunity and to put my
undergrad education into practice. Regarding career aspirations, I hope to better
understand the inland towing industry and incorporate my interest in sales.

3. How has your time at Gatton influenced, helped, or encouraged you?

My time at the Gatton College of Business and Economics has pushed me to grow both
personally and professionally. The college emphasizes hands-on learning, which has
encouraged me to apply what I learn in the classroom to real-world situations. Through
internships, leadership opportunities, and project-based coursework, I’ve developed
skills in communication, problem-solving, and strategic thinking that will be essential in
my career.

Gatton has also surrounded me with driven peers and mentors who constantly
challenge me to improve. Being part of that environment has encouraged me to take on
leadership roles, step outside my comfort zone, and pursue opportunities that further
develop my professional skills. Overall, my experience at Gatton has shaped not only
my sales career but also my approach to leadership, collaboration, and continuous
growth.

4. You were recently a winner in the Sales Competition. Tell us about your pitch.

This was my third time competing in the Sales Competition. The scenario was a
discovery call, where our objective was to understand the customer’s needs and
diagnose their challenges with the right Dell solution. I’ll be the first to admit that I didn’t
have the most glamorous pitch, but what I relied on most was preparation. Not
preparation in the sense of memorizing a script, but preparation through thoughtful
questions designed to uncover the root causes of the retailer’s pain points.

As I mentioned, this was my third competition, and while I gained valuable sales skills
along the way, the most important lesson I learned was resilience. In fact, I had no
intention of competing at first. I was content to serve as a sales coach and help other
competitors prepare to win. However, after strong encouragement from a mentor,
Michael Johnston, I decided to compete just before the deadline. Looking back, my
hesitation likely stemmed from a mix of pride and memories of past losses. But
resilience pushed me to compete.

Reflecting on the experience now, I’ve realized that resilience is both the most valuable
and the most difficult trait I’ve developed. Sales, like competition, is rarely about
immediate success. It’s about learning from setbacks, showing up again, and continuing
to improve. This competition reinforced that growth often happens when we challenge
ourselves to try again, even when it would be easier not to.

5. How have you seen Gatton Alumni helping you along the way?

Although I haven’t personally interacted with many Gatton alumni yet, I’ve still felt the impact of
the network they’ve built. One thing that stands out about Gatton is the culture of mentorship
and professional development that alumni have helped establish. Through guest speakers,
industry partnerships, and college-connected internship opportunities, it’s clear that alumni play
a role in creating pathways for current students to succeed.

Even without direct interaction, knowing that Gatton graduates have gone on to succeed in a
wide range of industries is encouraging. It reinforces the value of the education and community
I’m part of and motivates me to continue developing the skills and experiences that will allow me
to contribute to that network in the future. My hope is that, as I gain more experience in my
career, I’ll be able to give back to Gatton students in the same way many alumni have helped
shape opportunities for us today.