Infusing Awareness for Success in a Global Industry with Multicultural Environments and Diverse Populations
Length of Presentation
100 minutes
Start Date
15-10-2021 1:00 PM
End Date
15-10-2021 2:50 PM
Document Type
Presentation
Abstract
This presentation will begin with an introduction to the global hospitality and tourism (HTM) industry, recent trends in employee hiring and labor markets in the US Hospitality and Tourism industry, and comparison of EIU and HTM program’s reported diversity. Next, EIU Hospitality and Tourism faculty will discuss how diversity and inclusion are integrated into the degree program’s strategic plan and goals, individual courses and program experiences highlighting elements of seven different program courses. Finally, a panel of alumni offer perspective on their preparation for career success in this industry and how diversity and inclusion influence and apply to their professional lives.
Description
The intended audience includes faculty and chairs seeking opportunities to infuse degree programming with purposeful and strategically appropriate opportunities of career preparation. Current students will benefit from a greater awareness of program faculty providing relevant knowledge and expertise befitting the global labor market for which our students are competitive and excel in their careers.
Learning objectives and outcomes include:
1) The integration of multicultural aspects, a global awareness of the industry and its opportunities, and practicing respect and high-quality interactions with various people is a deliberate reflection of feedback from an advisory council, alumni, guest speakers and on-site hosts during required program experiences, and faculty being aware of industry trends and emerging risks and opportunities.
2) Supplementing hands-on experiences assists development and practicing of skills that students need to be successful in this career field.
3) Alumni reflection on elements of program strengths and weaknesses will provide important assessment feedback necessary for ongoing program improvements and support accreditation efforts.
4) As one of the most impacted industries during the recent covid pandemic, we want to encourage a wide range of students to consider the now booming and broad-minded hospitality and tourism industry as a field of study with innumerable career opportunities.
Relevance to MEI Objectives and Conference Theme: Learning activities are intellectual but also dependent on social development given the nature of individual contact and service that is expected in this industry and for placement. The program underwent considerable restructuring and redevelopment in the past three years, with numerous purposeful discussions to match industry trends with student development needs. Our curriculum incorporates at least one course from eight different programs because we recognize the integrated nature of our industry and divergent student needs to develop the skills, knowledge and abilities demanded for job placement and career progression.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License
Infusing Awareness for Success in a Global Industry with Multicultural Environments and Diverse Populations
This presentation will begin with an introduction to the global hospitality and tourism (HTM) industry, recent trends in employee hiring and labor markets in the US Hospitality and Tourism industry, and comparison of EIU and HTM program’s reported diversity. Next, EIU Hospitality and Tourism faculty will discuss how diversity and inclusion are integrated into the degree program’s strategic plan and goals, individual courses and program experiences highlighting elements of seven different program courses. Finally, a panel of alumni offer perspective on their preparation for career success in this industry and how diversity and inclusion influence and apply to their professional lives.
Speaker Information
Melody Wollan, PhD, SHRM-SCP is currently the Associate Dean in Lumpkin College of Business and Technology and has served as Acting Chair of the Hospitality and Tourism program since 2019. She has been at EIU since 2005, as a School of Business Management Professor teaching Introductory Human Resources, Employee Staffing and Development, Organizational Behavior and the Management Seminar for Senior Majors. She taught related MBA-level courses and served as Graduate Coordinator of Business Studies from 2012 – 2019. Her research focuses on individual level behavior in workplace settings including feedback seeking behavior, and how managers can proactively respond to undesirable behaviors such as bullying and produce more favorable diversity and inclusion outcomes in employment settings.
Lisa Brooks, PhD, RDN is a Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) in Lumpkin College of Business and Technology. She has been at EIU since 2000 teaching Professional Meeting Management, Club Management, Ethical Legal Environment in HTM, and the Hospitality Industry. She successfully proposed two new HTM courses: Wedding Events and International Culinary Tourism. Her research focuses on culinary tourism, leadership, and the economic impact of festivals. She serves on the advisory board for Florence University of the Arts-The American University of Florence and University of Southern Indiana – Historic New Harmony.
Nichole Hugo, PhD is an Associate Professor and Internship Coordinator for the Hospitality and Tourism program and the Graduate Coordinator for Sustainability. The courses she teaches includes Destination Management, Intro to Sustainability, Sustainable Communities, and Lodging Operations. Her research varies across sustainability related topics, but tends to focus on tourism development and management, marketing, and the adoption of sustainable technology.
Richard Wilkinson, PhD, is a Professor and Program Coordinator for Hospitality and Tourism. He has been at EIU since 2003, prior to which he held faculty positions at Niagara University and The University of Missouri. He has taught a variety of hospitality and tourism related courses, including Commercial Quantity Food Production, Hospitality Operations and Cost Control, and Hospitality Leadership. He has conducted research on hospitality student work aspect preferences, and on hospitality manager leadership profiles.
Alumni that represent the diversity and inclusion (Asia/Philippines, Middle East, Hispanic, Black, LGBTQ, Disabilities) of the program and have committed to participating by Zoom, Recorded Video, Statement with Photo:
Akihito Kneeld (goes by AK): Talent Acquisition Partner for Merlin Entertainment, Orland FL. (formerly 10 years at Disney including recruiting for International Programs and as an Ability Representative)
Cody Czmyr: Director of Communication and Membership, Michigan Shores Club
Marissa (Smith) Isles: Director of Conference and Event Services, Elmhurst University
Alyssa Abudayyeh: Director of Marketing for Tinley Park Convention Center and EVEN Hotel.
Nathaniel Crawford: Chicago Food and Lifestyle Photographer with Captures by TK (his own business)
Jalesa Shields: Night Manager, Pendry Hotels (formerly Event Manager at the Palmer House)
Jocelyn Alcantar: Conference Coordinator Bilingual Spanish with ISACA (a Technology and Risk Management Firm)