NEWS

ALKU Invests in Launching UMass Amherst’s First Sales Academy

Feb 10, 2026 Written by: ALKU Media

ALKU Announces Significant Investment to Launch UMass Amherst’s First-Ever Sales Academy. A multi-year commitment designed to prepare students for successful careers through real-world experience and professional mentorship.

Andover, Mass. – February 10, 2026 – ALKU, a specialty leading staffing firm, is proud to announce a significant investment in the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management to launch the university’s first-ever Sales Academy. As the founding Platinum-level sponsor, ALKU’s multi-year commitment will provide the resources and mentorship necessary to prepare the next generation of sales leaders through this program.

Investing in What Works

For ALKU, this investment is a natural extension of its mission. Last year, the company’s internship program hired over 550 students across the Northeast. Through this work and a dedicated training center for UMass students located downtown Amherst, ALKU has recognized that the university produces the hardworking, energetic, and passionate talent that drives company growth.

“Many successful employees and leaders are UMass alumni, so investing in a program that has already given us so much is a no-brainer for us. We see the same hard work, energy, and passion in these students that we look for in our employees every day,” said Andrew Bull, CEO and President of ALKU. “We are passionate about the art of sales and the incredible career opportunity it offers. Our goal is to bridge the gap between students and high-performance careers, whether that’s with us or somewhere else. We are proud of this partnership and of supporting the next generation of sales leaders.”

Bridging the Gap with Real World Sales Exposure

The Isenberg Sales Academy is the university’s first formal initiative designed to prepare students for successful careers in professional sales. Through this partnership, students will gain access to:

Industry Engagement: ALKU will host sales competitions and workshops, giving students the chance to interact with and learn from full-time sales professionals.
Skill Development: Academy meetings and regional competitions will help students develop sales and relationship-building skills.
Career Readiness: By exposing students to a high-performance environment early on, the Academy ensures they are prepared for the transition from the classroom to the workforce.

“ALKU sets the standard for high-level, consultative selling and operational excellence—values that are incredibly impactful for our members,” said Matthew Glennon, Director of the Isenberg Sales Academy & Senior Lecturer at UMass Amherst. “For over a decade, ALKU has hired, coached, mentored, and inspired UMass Amherst 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.”

This partnership reaffirms ALKU’s long-standing commitment to training and development, as well as its connection to the Amherst community. By investing in the Isenberg Sales Academy, ALKU continues to lead the way in providing entry-level opportunities to individuals who possess the hard work and passion to succeed in sales. For ALKU, this is more than just a sponsorship; it’s a commitment to the students who will be the sales leaders of tomorrow.

About ALKU

ALKU is one of the nation’s fastest-growing staffing firms, facilitating critical solutions for businesses by providing highly specialized consultants across cutting-edge industries, including IT and life sciences. With 500+ employees across seven locations nationwide, ALKU generates more than $550 million in annual revenue. ALKU’s Have Fun Working Hard® company culture focuses on employee retention and growth, training and development, and a highly specialized division-led operational model. ALKU is headquartered in Andover, Massachusetts.