SAN MARCOS, Texas — The McCoy College of Business at Texas State University has announced the appointment of Dr. Linda Alkire as holder of the Vicki L. West Professorship in Sales Excellence, effective Sept. 1.
Alkire is an associate professor in McCoy College’s Department of Marketing and serves as director of the Center for Professional Sales, currently recognized as the Best Sales Program worldwide by the University Sales Center Alliance.
"Dr. Alkire's work has directly shaped the success of our students, preparing them to thrive in competitive sales careers with confidence and professionalism," said Dr. Sanjay Ramchander, dean of McCoy College. "Her appointment to the Vicki West Professorship celebrates her efforts to advance student outcomes and elevate the reputation of McCoy College."
Alkire earned her Ph.D. from the Alliance Manchester Business School at the University of Manchester, UK, and holds both an MBA and a B.A. in business marketing (with highest distinction) from institutions in Lebanon.
Her research centers on transformative service research, sales strategy, and the role of technology in service contexts. She has an extensive publication record in leading journals in the field, including receiving the 2021 Best Article Award from the Journal of Service Research. She currently serves as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Service Management, among the most highly regarded publications in the discipline. Recognized as one of the rising influential scholars in service research, she was honored with the 2024 AMA SERVSIG Emerging Service Scholar Award and appointed to the prestigious Academic Council of the American Marketing Association. Her global academic engagements and leadership reflect a strong commitment to excellence in teaching, research, and service.
The West Professorship, funded by the McCoy College of Business Foundation, provides a salary supplement and an operating budget used to support research and professional development activities that advance the mission of the Center for Professional Sales. ✯
For more information about this story or other news, contact Twister Marquiss, director of marketing and communications for the McCoy College of Business, at twister@txstate.edu.
About the McCoy College of Business
Established in 1970, Texas State’s business school officially became the McCoy College of Business in 2004 following a transformational gift of $20 million by Emmett and Miriam McCoy. The college, which offers classes in San Marcos, Round Rock, and online, is accredited by AACSB in both business and accounting, and has graduated more than 46,000 alumni.
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