About the Center
The nature of selling has rapidly evolved and the Center for Leadership in Professional Selling (CLPS) is equipping students with the skills and insight needed to thrive in a data-driven sales environment. The CLPS develops students into budding sales professionals that are skilled in building relationships and creating value for buyers.
Marketing students with a concentration in professional selling will learn and practice the entire sales process, from prospecting strategies to pre-call planning, meeting execution, and long-term relationship building. On the technical side, students will use industry software like HubSpot and can earn digital marketing certifications and the Salesforce Business Administration Specialist Superbadge.
The CLPS features simulation labs where students can role-play their sales techniques in various settings with representatives from partner firms.
Students have access to several modern spaces to practice their pitches:
- Marvin Balliet Family Lobby
- Coach Dan McCann Sales Training Room
- Four Simulated Offices
- Daniels Industries Sales Lobby
- The Richard B. Hodos Sales Board Room
All simulated spaces allow students to share digital presentations and sales materials while live-streaming and recording their pitches. Students can review their performance and sales experts can embed constructive feedback to help them refine their approach and hone their selling skills.
Sales Competitions
The CLPS hosts two sales competitions that provide students with key experiential learning opportunities.
The Internal Sales Competition welcomes students of all class levels, but it's particularly valuable for underclassmen who want to explore sales and gain exposure to competitive selling. Students are divided into two divisions based on prior competition experience. Cash prizes are presented to the top two students in each division: $600 for First Place and $200 for Second Place. For the past two years, Airgas has served as the competition sponsor.
The Steel City Sales Challenge (SCSC) is a two-day, tournament-style competition. Undergraduate students from universities across the country play the roles of sales professionals and compete for $15,000+ in prizes in sales role-play and elevator pitch tracks. The SCSC is sponsored by Ally Financial.
Duquesne University Sales Team (DUST)
The Duquesne University Sales Team (DUST) is an inclusive organization for students of all majors to explore the world of sales and develop practical expertise. DUST facilitates networking opportunities with both local and national organizations seeking to hire students for sales roles, offering avenues for internships and full-time employment. Students can join the DUST competition team and compete in prestigious regional and national sales competitions.
DUST has proudly represented Duquesne University in the following competitions:
- International Collegiate Sales Competition, Orlando, FL
- State Farm Sales Competition, Kansas City, MO
- Redbird (IL State) Sales Competition, Virtual
- National Collegiate Sales Competition, Kennesaw (Atlanta), GA
- Robert Morris University Sales Competition, Pittsburgh, PA
- National Shore Sales Competition, Ocean City, MD
- University of Toledo Sales Competition, Toledo, OH
Meet the Center Directors
Susan Eppley
Andrea DiBernardo
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsors
