Southern Miss Economic Development Students Gain Hands-On Experience through Classroom Partnership

Tue, 11/10/2026 - 01:23pm | By: Michaela Guidali-Sexton

The Master of Science in Economic Development program at The University of Southern Mississippi continues to integrate state-of-the-art technology into its curriculum.

Dr. Christopher Smith, an assistant professor in the College of Business and Economic Development, partnered with founder and CEO of Convergence CRM, Tom Wengler, to get students more prepared for their careers through practice application.

The collaboration allows graduate students in the ED 646: Business Attraction and Retention course to explore how economic development organizations use digital platforms to manage projects and track business relationships.

The partnership evolved after Wengler served as a guest speaker several times over the course of the last decade in various economic development courses. Now, he is working with the class to implement his customized HubSpot-based CRM and digital marketing platform, which is specifically designed for economic development organizations.

“At Convergence, we are passionate about economic development and working with practitioners in the field,” said Wengler. “By design, hands-on experience with HubSpot for Economic Developers allows students to gain the skills needed to contribute to any economic development organization on day one."

Throughout a multi-week class module, students gained exclusive access to the paid version of Wengler’s software, completing a tutorial focused on simulating the workflow associated with tracking a project related to the economic development field. Wengler has also been generous with his time, interacting directly with students and giving instructional presentations throughout the semester.

“CRM competency enhances the competitiveness of our graduates when entering the economic development job market because it demonstrates day-one readiness for roles in digital marketing, project management, and even executive-level management,” said Smith.

Students enrolled in the course have shown enthusiasm about the experience of working with Convergence CRM, recognizing the value of developing skills that will set them apart in the work industry.

“Utilizing the HubSpot-based Convergence CRM provided me with practical knowledge in handling economic development activities inside a single platform,” said Susmita Debnath, a graduate student enrolled in the class. “I successfully generated company and project documentation, linked sites and contacts, recorded conversations and meetings, and monitored follow-up activities, which enhanced my comprehension of how CRM technologies facilitate actual business retention and acquisition efforts."

This collaboration reflects the University’s “Ready for Life” philosophy, by connecting class acumen to the technologies used in professional careers.

“Although economic development is a very people-first industry, digital technologies are becoming indispensable instruments of individual and organizational productivity,” Smith went on to share. “Public and private employers in the field of economic development increasingly expect the people they hire to have the ability to leverage technological know-how to accomplish their mission of advancing community well-being.”

As technology becomes a fundamental part of economic development, this partnership gives students the opportunity to gain experience with the tools and skills that they will need in their careers.

About the College of Business and Economic Development 
The College of Business and Economic Development at The University of Southern Mississippi prepares students for success through applied learning, leadership development and nationally recognized academic programs. The AACSB-accredited college offers undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, including an MBA program that has been consistently ranked among leading programs by U.S. News & World Report and Fortune. Experiential learning is central to the college’s approach. Students gain real-world experience through client-based projects, internships, and employer engagement, supported by industry partners and an active alumni network. Located in Scianna Hall, the college provides access to specialized resources including the Center for Entrepreneurship, App Development Lab, Finance Lab, and Professional Sales Lab, where students develop in-demand skills through hands-on application and national competition.