rclc’s “afternoon tea with the faculty” special guests ... · international council on hotel,...
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RCLC’s “Afternoon tea with the Faculty”
Special Guests List& Pearls of Wisdom
March 29th
3 – 4:30 PM
Rosen Courtyard
Dr. Cynthia [email protected]
407.903.8191
Room: 256
Currently Teaches: Culinary Operations, Culture and Cuisine, Facilities Management and Purchasing &
Procurement
• Graduated with a Ph.D. in Hospitality Administration, a
Master’s degree in Hospitality Management, and a
Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry. In addition
to this academic training, Dr. Mejia is a graduate of The
Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York.
• Over 25 years’ experience in the hospitality industry
working as an Executive Chef, Director of F&B, General
Manager, and Assistant Hotel GM in four and five star
properties.
• International experience, opening the BLU Restaurant
and Jazz Club at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore in
1999.
• Published several articles and conference proceedings on
the topics of technology acceptance, hospitality education,
human resources development, and facilities management.
“Tenacity, and proving that you can really do what ever you set your mind to. To push
through the adversity and achieve something against what others expected you to.”
Dr. MejiaCan you name a skill or benefit you have gained through
your own experience working in the industry?
Mr. Michael“Doc” Terry
407.903.8244
Room 260
Currently Teaches: Restaurant Management, Advanced Lodging Operations, Brand
Management and Hospitality & Tourism Development
• Mr. Terry has provided future-focused strategic thinking
presentations, consulted for retail establishments to create
branding “experiences” and conducted customer service
workshops for more than 18 years.
• Additionally, he is a contributing author of a variety of business
articles for Lodging Magazine and Hotel-Online.com’s Hospitality
News.
• Prior to acquiring his own management firm, Hospitality
Futureworks, Mr. Terry held executive level positions in
marketing, finance and operations for Hilton Hotels,
Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts, Sheraton Hotels, Vector Real
Estate Management and Grand Theme Hotels.
• His hands-on exposure within the industry covers a range of
activities including Director of five themed hotels and 73 casual
dining restaurants, owner of real estate, retail and restaurant
enterprises, and business consultant for profit and non-profit
organizations.
“Developing relationship building skills, being able to balance all the different stakeholders and making every interaction with every individual meaningful; whether
it’s a VIP guest or food runner in a restaurant, each moment of contact and relationship is equally important and must be treated as such. Building relationships with associates is especially important, and management is
there to serve those who serve the guests.[Also,] It’s all about trust, building it and maintaining
it.”
Doc Terry
Can you name a skill, benefit, or greater understanding you have gained through your own experience working in the
industry?
Dr. Jeong-Yeol [email protected]
407.903.8027
Room: 251
Currently Teaches: Hospitality Financial Accounting
• Ph.D. in Hospitality and Tourism Management from
Purdue University, and M.S. in the Department of
Hospitality and Tourism Management at Sejong
University, South Korea. He obtained his B.S. in Business
Administration from Hanyang University
• Research areas:
• Potential travelers’ purchase behavior at online travel
agencies
• Restaurant customers’ behavior
• Demand analysis for hospitality industries.
• Published in several peer-reviewed journals, such as
International Journal of Hospitality Management, Tourism
Management, International Journal of Tourism Research,
and Journal of Travel and Tourism Marketing. In addition
to publications
• Presented several papers at international conferences,
such as ICHRIE, the Graduate Student Research
Conference in Hospitality and Tourism, and Advances in
Hospitality and Tourism Marketing and Management
(AHTMM) Conference
“Apply the knowledge that you learn in class to the industry, and appreciate the coursework as empirical rather than theoretical. Learn it while you’re here as reality, rather than treating it as theories in a textbook, and accept the theories
that you learn as law rather than fighting against them when it comes to industry standard
practices and concepts.”
Professor Park
Do you have any advice for current students at Rosen?
Dr. Marissa Orlowski
407.900.8024
Currently Teaches: Beverage Management, Restaurant Management
and Fine Spirits Management
• Ph.D. in Hospitality Management, as well as a Certificate in
Advanced Quantitative Methodologies in Educational and
Human Sciences from U.C.F
• Dr. Orlowski also has an M.B.A. with an emphasis in Management
from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs and a B.A. in
Hospitality Management from Michigan State University.
• Her academic career is preceded by over 15 years of restaurant,
bar, and catering management experience in the hospitality with
prominent brands such as Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts
and The Cheesecake Factory.
• Research Interests:
• Food and Beverage
• Application of Organizational behavior theories (leadership
and group dynamics)
• Multilevel modeling and multilevel structural equation
modeling and their applications in researching groups and
teams.
• Several professional memberships, including CHRIE, Academy
of Management, National Restaurant Association, and the Society
for Wine Educators. She sits on the Orlando Chapter Council for
U.S. Bartenders Guild (USBG), serving as Chapter Secretary,
and is the Vice-Chair of the USBG Education Committee.
“Look for interesting internships, rather than simply trying to fill the requirements. Challenge
yourself and seek out variety in where you go and what you do, and give yourself the opportunity to not only find out what you love but also what you
don’t like. Take advantage of this time to explore. ”
Professor Orlowski
What piece of advice would you want to share with current Rosen students?
Ms. Deborah Weissberg
407.903.8076
Currently Teaches: Introduction to Hospitality, Guest Services, Hospitality
Communications
• Master’s Degree in Hospitality Management at the Rosen
College of Hospitality Management with a 4.0 GPA and BBA In
Accounting at Temple graduating Magna Cum Laude.
• Taught more than 3,500 Students at Rosen College
• With a specialty in facilitating employment for more than 700
industry hopefuls, her students have worked at the World Cup,
Cannes Film Festival, and the Indigenous Games in Brazil.
• The most impressive internship she has helped a mentee
attain was in the White House, as a member of First
Lady Michelle Obama’s event planning team
• Has a mentee on every continent.
• She developed strong knowledge and a huge passion for service.
“Professor Deb” also has seven years in Travel and Events; she
has strong contacts around the world. As a professor, she is
enthusiastic about educating the future leaders in the Hospitality
industry. Coupled with extensive world travel and a love of
cultures, “Professor Deb” enhances academic knowledge with
real-world experience.
• She also volunteers for St. Jude’s Children Hospital. Her over-
arching goal is to bring to life the vision and values of the
Dean of the Rosen College, Dr. Abe Pizam, and her
benefactor, Mr. Harris Rosen, to the Rosen College students
and the hospitality and tourism industry.
“Be professional and stay focused on your mission and vision. Remember that you come from
one of the best Hospitality schools in the world!”
Do you have any advice for current students at Rosen?
“… if you see someone in need, help them out! It will go a long way in the future.”
Professor Deb
What advice would you give to students who are graduating this semester?
Dr. Youcheng [email protected]
407.903.8039
Room: 219B
Currently Teaches: Destination Marketing, Destination Management,
Information Systems, Technology and E-commerce Strategy, and Research
Methods in Hospitality and Tourism
• Dr. Youcheng Wang is a Professor and Associate Dean of
Academic Affairs & Research
• His Master’s is from Purdue University and his Ph.D. from
the University of Illinois.
• Member of several professional associations including
Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA),
International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional
Education (I-CHRIE), International Society of Travel and
Tourism Educators (ISTTE), and Hospitality Financial and
Technology Professionals (HFTP). He is also serving on the
Research Committee of Visit Orlando and Expert
Committee of Shanghai Tourism Development Research
Center.
• Dr. Wang’s research interest focuses on hospitality
marketing, destination marketing and management, customer
relationship management, information search behavior,
collaborative strategies, and technology management.
• He is the author of 3 books and more than 100 scientific
publications. He is the co-editor of Journal of Destination
Marketing and Management, and is on the Editorial
Board of 9 international academic journals in the domain
of hospitality and tourism marketing and management.
Ms. Ashli [email protected]
407.903.8017
Room: 201M
Currently Teaches: Internship III and Communications
• M.S. in Hospitality Management with a specialization in
Hotel Development from Florida International University
and B.S. in Hotel, Resort & Spa Management from
University of West Florida
• Over 15 years of managerial and consulting experience
with global brands such as Marriott International, Audi of
America, Hilton Worldwide, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Loews
Hotels, The Walt Disney Company and The Fontainebleau
Resort. As Chief Experience Officer, she founded Urbane
Hospitality Group, a service engineering consulting practice
in 2010.
• Certified Hotel Trainer, American Hotel & Lodging
Association Educational Institute
• Certified Guest Service Professional, American Hotel &
Lodging Association Educational Institute
• Affiliations:
• American Hotel & Lodging Associations
• National Society of Minorities in Hospitality
• Latino Hotel Association
• Asian American Hotel Owners Association
• National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators
& Developers
• The Hotel Experience (Formerly The International Hotel,
Motel & Restaurant Show)
“To have had a greater understanding of the breadth of opportunities that existed in the hospitality
industry upon entering into it. … You have to be a student outside of the classroom, and be a student of
the industry. Be well read on publications, trends, attend
conferences, ask questions, pick your professors brains, and surround yourself with people who know
more than you so you can continue to learn from them.”
Professor Johnson
Was there something you wish you knew when you were starting your career in hospitality that you know now?
Dr. Edwin [email protected]
407.903.8103
Room: 249
Currently teaches: Human Resources, and Guest Services
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with majors
in Human Resource Management and Marketing from the
University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus. Seeking to
further specialize in the service context, Dr. Torres attended
Purdue University where he obtained both his Master’s
degree and Doctorate in Hospitality and Tourism
Management
• He serves as faculty advisor and co-advisor for various
student organizations. Dr. Torres also serves at various
college and university committees. He is also a member of
various professional organizations.
• As part of his industry work experience, Dr. Torres has
worked as a Hotel Manager, Hospitality Consultant,
Restaurant Manager, and Financial Advisor
• Research Interests:
• Consumer behavior
• Organizational behavior
• Known for his work on customer delight, electronic word-of-
mouth, service quality, customer-to-customer interactions,
asynchronous video interviews (one-way interviews), and
compensation and benefits. His work is published in several
top-tier scholarly journals and has been presented in
several national and international conferences.
Dr. Diego [email protected]
407.903.8209
Room: 234
Currently Teaches: Lodging Operations and Management of Lodging Operations
• Dr. Bufquin obtained a Master of Science degree in
International Business at Skema Business School, and a
Ph.D. in Hospitality Management at the University of South
Carolina.
• Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) and has a
Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA).
• His hobbies include sports, gastronomy and traveling.
• As a French and Brazilian citizen, Dr. Bufquin has a
multicultural background that has taken him to a variety of
countries. Born in Singapore, he spent his first six years in
Jakarta, Indonesia. He then began his hospitality education at
the École Hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL) in Switzerland, where
he obtained an Associate of Science degree in International
Hospitality Management, and completed his undergraduate
studies at the Glion Institute of Higher Education in Bulle,
Switzerland, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in
Hospitality and Finance.
• He worked at the purchase and finance departments of
luxury hotel chains, such as the Ritz-Carlton and the Luxury
Collection. After eight years in Europe, he returned to
Brazil to work for the second largest convention hotel in
São Paulo, where he completed a comprehensive
management training program.
“Choose the right employer, and don’t put all your focus on salaries and signing benefits. You shouldn’t waste your time by investing in people or companies who aren’t willing to invest in you. Choose the company you want to be associated
with and want to grow with.”
Professor Bufquin
What advice do you wish you were given when you first began in the industry that you know now?
Ms. Jessica Wickey
407.903.8018
Room: 201N
Currently Teaches: Internship II and Event Industry
• University of Central Florida, Rosen College of Hospitality
Management, Master of Science, Hospitality & Tourism
Management, Florida Gulf Coast University, College of
Professional Studies, Bachelor of Science, Resort &
Hospitality Management, Florida Keys Community College
Associate of the Arts
• 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including
restaurants, resorts, events, convention centers and non-profit
fundraising. Ms. Wickey is an avid sailor, completing her
pilot’s license and enjoys volunteering in the community.
• University of Central Florida – Outstanding Graduate
Teaching Assistant for 2013
• Certifications
• Ed Klopfer School of Real Estate
• Sales Associate Certificate; Residential, Commercial,
and Land Sales
• Sarasota Travel School
• Travel & Tourism Certificate
1. Do something you enjoy, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Give a job six months before deciding you hate it…..
2. This is not the 1960’s – you do not have to keep the same job for 30 years -always keep driving yourself forward, and push yourself to constantly learn and
grow. You can change careers and industries, just keep moving forward.3. Volunteer, and give back to the community. This is imperative for a well-
rounded soul.4. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and find a MENTOR!
5. One of the biggest skills I learned in the industry is…….NEVER BURN YOUR BRIDGES, YOU MAY HAVE TO WALK BACK OVER THAT
BRIDGE AGAIN. This is very important, to always take the high road, and do not bash or slander employers and organizations. Also, when you leave a position, always leave on a good note, no matter how BAD you think they treated you,
always take the high road!
Professor Wickey
What advice do you have for graduating students?
Dr. Manuel Rivera
407.903.8210
Room: 257
Currently Teaches: Restaurant Management, Foodservice Marketing,
Food, Beverage and Labor Cost Controls
• Industry experience expands across multiple companies such
as Aramark, Chartwells, Pizza Hut, Starbucks, Java City, Pollo
Tropical, Subway, Burger King, McDonalds and Sbarro. He also
had the opportunity to work with institutions such as Florida
International University, Saint Thomas University, Nova
Southeastern University, Florida Memorial College, the Miami
Dolphins Training Center, and the Kovens Convention Center.
• Has worked as a research consultant for the Puerto Rico
Convention Bureau, Puerto Rico Hotel Association, the Cámara de
Turismo de Nicaragua, the Consejo Provincial del Guayas in
Ecuador, the Curaçao Tourism Bureau, the Aruba Tourism
Authority, Coca-Cola’s Latin Center Business Unit, and the
Kissimmee CVB among others.
• His current research included issues related to poverty, income
inequality, income distribution, Input-Output Model, Cointegration
and Error Correction Models, economic entrepreneurship for street
vendors, quality of life and more recently LGTB tourism.
• His research projects have been published in the International
Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Tourism:
An international Interdisciplinary Journal, Journal of Heritage
Tourism, Tourism Economics, International Journal of Hospitality
Management, Journal of Events and Conventions, and the Journal
of Ecotourism.
‘You will not move forward in your career by pointing out what others have done wrong, you will find your own success in helping
others improve.’
Dr. Rivera
What advice would you give to students who are graduating this semester?
• Trust your instincts
• Always carry yourself in a professional manner
• Continuously practice your communication and work to identify new
opportunities
• Consider others perspectives and appreciate the generational and
cultural differences you’ll meet in the work place
Dr. Mathilda Van Niekerk
407.903.8052
Room: 261
Currently Teaches: Event Promotion and Event Management
• Grew up in the North West Province of South Africa. She studied
at the former Potchefstroom University (now North-West University)
in South Africa, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in 1994 and
an honors bachelor’s degree in Tourism and Recreation
Management in 1996. A master’s degree in Tourism followed in
1998 as well as a Ph.D. in Tourism Management in 2004. She also
obtained an MBA in 2013.
• Dr. Van Niekerk is the author or co-author of more than 86
academic publications (refereed journal articles, books, book
chapters, case studies, encyclopedia entries, training manuals,
industry reports and conference papers). Her research focuses on
stakeholder theory as well as the roles and functions of these
stakeholders within the tourism destination. It also emphasizes the
different management strategies that must be used to manage
different stakeholders within the tourism destination with the
understanding that stakeholders’ collaboration or threatening
potential has a major effect on the success of the tourism destination,
festival or event.
• Dr. Van Niekerk has extensive experience in leadership positions
and managing organizational budgets, festivals and events.
Before joining Rosen College, she held senior management
positions at different institutions in both higher education and
local government. She was head of the Tourism Section at the
Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa for five years.
“Connect with people, and build your human relationships, your social capital. You want to
touch as many lives as you can. Be good to people, be friendly. ”
“Spend time mastering the skills you have, while also growing the ones you’re less confident
about.”
Dr. Van Niekerk
What universal advice would you give to students, both current and graduating?
Ms. Lori [email protected]
407.903.8019
Currently Teaches: Communications
• Holds an Associate of Science in Legal Studies and Associate of
Arts in General Studies from Valencia Community College,
Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in Issues
of Social Concern from the University of Central Florida and is
currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Organizational
Leadership with an Emphasis in Behavioral Health at Grand
Canyon University
• Employed at the University of Central of Central Florida for over
20 years.
• She began her career in the Registrar’s Office and progressed her
way through the system. In her current role, Ms. Ashby oversees
the Office of Student Services.
• Her responsibilities include program and curriculum development;
the administration of academic advising services, ensuring
compliance of university policies and procedures and managing
program changes and updates on behalf of the college.
• She serves on various boards and search committees
throughout the university and is a member of the Alpha Kappa
Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, the Black Faculty and Staff
Organization, the National Academic Advising Association, serves
on the Statewide Course Numbering Committee and established
the first National Society of Minorities in Hospitality Chapter
at the university. She is also an adjunct faculty member within the
Rosen College of Hospitality Management.
Dr. Michelle Holm
407.903.8198
Room: 200-L
Currently Teaches: Meeting Managemetn and Event Operations
• Dr. Holm completed her PhD in Hospitality Management at
the University of Central Florida, specializing in event
management with a focus in emotional intelligence
• Dr. Michelle Holm has over 12 years of experience in the
hospitality industry, specific to event management and food
& beverage operations.
• She’s held various management level positions in country
clubs, and worked for a Destination Management Company in
Orlando. She also owned her own Weddings & Special
Events Company. Dr. Holm has also worked in consulting
for a KPMG, LLP, and did contract litigation for a law
firm, which later helped to round out her contract expertise
for event sales.
• Her research is focused on organizational behavior in the
MICE industry, specifically service quality and competency
development in the relationship between vendors and meeting
planners.
• She continues to maintain a strong connection to the industry
through her current service on the MPI Orlando Board of
Directors. Dr. Holm currently holds the Director of
Member Research & Development position, and through it,
provides strategic direction for the chapter via various
member research initiatives.
Mr. David [email protected]
407.903.8062
Room: 201L
Currently Teaches: Internship I and Event Management
• Master’s of Science degree in Curriculum Development and
Instructional Technology from the University at Albany, a
Bachelor’s of Science degree in Vocational Technical
Education from the State University of New York at Oswego, and
an Associate of Applied Science degree in Food Service
Administration-Restaurant Management from the State University
of New York at Morrisville.
• 19 years of educational experience, 16 of those years in post-
secondary education. He taught for 14 years at Schenectady
County Community College (SCCC), in Upstate New York, in the
esteemed school of Hotel, Culinary Arts, and Tourism. He also
taught for two years at Stratford University, a for-profit institution,
in Northern Virginia teaching in the Hospitality Management
program. Throughout David’s educational career he has taught
over 20 different courses in both front and back-of-the house
operations and in both the classroom and laboratory settings.
• He authored the instructor’s resources manual for Dining
Room and Banquet Management, and was a book reviewer for
Profitable Menu Planning and The Bar and Beverage
Book. David also has had over thirty recipes published in the
Daily Gazette newspaper and was featured in an article on
sanitation for the home cook.
“Get to know your professors! They are tremendous resources, and far more than a
person behind the podium. They want you to succeed, and are here for you to succeed.
Don’t just go to them for issues, make your introductions and create the connections.”
Professor Wixted
What advice would you give to current Rosen College students?