What area do you teach?

Hospitality Management

Education/Degree(s)

B.S. (Cum Laude) Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management - East Stroudsburg University
M.T. A - Tourism Administration - The George Washington University School of Business
Ed.D. - Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis - University of Missouri - Columbia

Your Philosophy of Teaching

I like to assess where the students are in their knowledge of the subject matter right away so that I can target my information to what is really needed. I like to make sure that everyone is as much on the same page as possible. Though I teach about several hospitality-related subjects, I consider myself an educator, now a teacher, thus I can discuss a wide range of “life” subjects. I have extensive experience in other industries (I was an investment banker previously and I have experience in sales and as an entrepreneur) so I cover a lot of topics in my classes. On any given day, we may discuss customer service, hotel operations, 401-K plans, contracts, and how hotels are financed. Learning is a continuous process, often driven by curiosity. I like to keep the students curious, I help them ask the right questions to assist their learning and retention, as well as help them make decisions and solve problems.

Why did you decide to teach?

I was offered an adjunct position at a college in Virginia. Though I was reluctant at first, I immediately fell in love with the idea of sharing my knowledge with students. I have to continually learn and refine my approach to teaching and I think it’s most valuable to my growth, as well as the students. I continue to teach because I’ve received a lot of feedback over the years from students who told me that they learned a lot from me. Confirmation is a wonderful thing!

Credentials/Career Path

My initial career was in the financial industry. I was in commercial banking, then moved to investment banking. I was a municipal bond trader and underwriter, as well as a public finance specialist. That part of my career helped me grasp and appreciate math and the financial side of a lot of processes. My first love, however, was the lodging and restaurant business so I immersed myself into the hospitality industry. I worked as a bartender, front-desk agent, Disney travel agent, winery worker, and restaurant server for a couple of years while. I returned to school to complete my degrees and I have seized every opportunity that I could to advance my knowledge of the business. Networking, traveling, working late hours/weekends, and taking risks helped me get where I am today.

Professional Highlights

• Extensive experience in the hospitality industry
• Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) by the American Hotel and Lodging Industry

Awards/Honors/Recognitions

• Master Advisor Certification
• Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) from the American Hotel and Lodging Association
• Campus Tour Award
• Presidential Shout-Out

Organizations

• Convention and Visitors Bureau
• National Society of Experiential Educatio
• The United Way of Southeast Missouri
• Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce Women's Network

Best Advice for Students

• Stay Curious
• Ask Questions - don't you want to know why something is the way it is?
• Don't be afraid to make decisions. If it doesn't work out, you can make another decision.
• Embrace math - you live in a world of numbers. They're not scary - they're your friend.
• Preparation is your friend, procrastination can be your enemy.
• Remove the concept of failure from your life. Think of those moments as setbacks. Remember: A setback is the setup for the comeback. You will have lots of comebacks.

Publications

• Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Gained in a Hospitality Internship - Lamber Academic Publishing