Isenberg Launches Sales Academy with Founding Platinum Sponsor ALKU

The Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst has launched the Isenberg Sales Academy, a new opportunity designed to prepare students for full-time careers in professional sales through specialized training, hands-on skill development, and high-impact connections with employers.

The academy debuted this academic year and is open to students interested in sales roles across industries such as technology, medical sales, staffing, and other fast-paced, relationship-driven fields. Members build core competencies in consultative selling, participate in experiential learning, and gain employer visibility through competitions and structured networking opportunities.

Matthew Glennon, senior lecturer in the Isenberg Marketing Department, has been appointed director of the Isenberg Sales Academy. He founded the group last year and said that it was an initiative that developed from his experiences as a faculty advisor to the Isenberg Sales Club and through traveling nationally to represent Isenberg at collegiate sales competitions.

“Through these events, it became clear that establishing a formal Sales Academy could elevate opportunities for students by helping them further discover and develop a passion for professional sales while at Isenberg,” said Glennon. “The academy is about helping students develop real-world selling and relationship-building skills—skills that translate across industries and roles. We want our members to graduate confident, career-ready, and connected.”

Training Grounded in Modern Sales Practice

Academy members are training in multiple sales methodologies, including Glennon’s proprietary GSD (Glennon Sales Diamond) Approach, which emphasizes professional discovery, value-based communication, and relationship-building in high-performance environments.

The academy also prioritizes “learning by doing.” Students will take part in professional development workshops and networking events with corporate partners, and they will compete in collegiate sales competitions. Through these experiences, students sharpen skills like prospecting, cold-calling, objection handling, discovery, presentation, and closing, all while receiving coaching and feedback.

ALKU Named Founding Platinum Sponsor

The academy’s first platinum sponsor is Andover, Mass.-based ALKU, a specialty consulting firm. As the founding platinum-level sponsor, ALKU’s multi-year commitment will provide resources, mentorship, and high-touch programming to support academy members as they prepare for internships and full-time roles.

“We’re excited to partner with UMass Amherst to launch Isenberg’s first-ever Sales Academy,” said ALKU CEO and President Andrew Bull. “At ALKU, we’re passionate about the art of sales and the incredible career opportunity it offers. This partnership was a no-brainer for us. Many successful ALKU employees are Isenberg alumni, and we see the same hard work, energy, and passion in these students that we look for in our employees every day. Our goal is to bridge the gap between students and high-performance careers, whether that’s with us or somewhere else. We’re proud of this partnership and of supporting the next generation of sales leaders.”

Glennon said the partnership reflects the strong alignment between ALKU’s sales culture and the academy’s professional focus.

“ALKU sets the standard for high-level, consultative selling and operational excellence—values that are incredibly impactful for our members,” he said. “For over a decade, ALKU has hired, coached, mentored, and inspired Isenberg students. Its sponsorship and participation in the academy help equip our students with high-level sales and relationship-building skills that help students secure their dream internships or full-time roles. This is truly a win-win, and we are incredibly grateful for ALKU’s unwavering support of our students.”

As the academy grows, Glennon said he anticipates expanding its network of corporate partners and adding more experiential learning opportunities that connect students with hiring managers and sales leaders.

A Partnership Built on Student Opportunity

For ALKU, the investment extends the company’s commitment to training and early career development. Last year, ALKU’s internship program hired more than 550 students across the Northeast, including many from UMass Amherst and Isenberg. The company also operates a dedicated training center on campus, reflecting its involvement in talent development and connection to the campus community.

The sponsorship also supports a broader goal: expanding access to professional mentorship, experiential learning, and career pathways that reward initiative, resilience, and strong communication skills.

Student Leaders Help Shape the Experience

Students have already embraced the Sales Academy as a high-growth opportunity. It held a meeting Feb. 5, 2026, to kick off the spring semester, and ALKU representatives were on hand.

Nora Giannetti, a senior operations and information management major and co-president of the Isenberg Sales Club, said she’s proud to be among the academy’s first members.

“I joined the Sales Academy to continue developing my sales skills and expand my network,” she said. “I’m especially excited for the upcoming networking events with our corporate sponsors as well as the opportunity to learn how to stand out when entering the workforce to set myself apart early in my career.”

Upcoming Sales Academy Activities

Isenberg students interested in exploring what a career in professional sales could look like are encouraged to attend an Isenberg Sales Academy event. The academy’s spring calendar includes skill-building sessions, competition preparation, and partner-hosted events designed to build confidence and accelerate career readiness. Upcoming events include:

• March 6–9, 2026: Travel to Atlanta and preparation for the National Collegiate Sales Competition.
• March 27, 2026: Participation in a Sales Academy competition and networking event hosted by ALKU at the company’s headquarters in Andover.
• Opportunities to volunteer or participate in the Isenberg Sales Club Sales Competition in April 2026.