Allison Smith

Biography

In her research, Allison Smith uses field data, experiments and conceptual models to study topics in three areas: salesperson effectiveness and customer outcomes, salesperson motivation and incentives, and strategic salesforce management.

She earned her Ph.D. in marketing from the University of South Florida (USF) in 2026. Her doctoral dissertation, “The impact of emotional language dynamics in sales communication,” won the American Marketing Association’s Sales SIG Doctoral Dissertation Proposal award, a highly competitive honor that recognizes emerging scholars. In 2023, she received the prestigious Hunt/Deitz/Hansen Best Doctoral Paper award, which recognizes the top Ph.D. student paper in professional selling.

She taught professional selling courses at USF for three years, winning the 2025 Muma College of Business Ph.D. Student Excellence in Teaching award. She also served as president of Muma College’s doctoral student organization, planning and promoting social events and interdisciplinary research opportunities.

At Auburn, she is teaching Personal Selling (MKTG 4390).

Smith’s interest in sales and marketing can be traced to her experience working at her family’s furniture store in Terre Haute, Ind., while still in high school. She earned her MBA and bachelor’s degrees in marketing and accounting from Indiana State University.  She most recently worked as a business analyst and previously held positions across marketing, accounting, finance, consulting, and sales, building a strong foundation in both analytical and customer-facing business functions.

In her spare time, she enjoys traveling and participating in outdoor activities like biking and hiking with her husband and young daughter. At Auburn, she and her family look forward to watching Auburn sports.