In the News
- Professor: Don't try to rush back to amusement parks just yet: WRHI (feat. Scott Smith)
- The return of Columbia festivals and events may still be a long way off: Free Times/Post & Courier (feat. Armen Shaomian)
- Disney Reopens Shopping Complex: Disney Springs: Newsy (feat. Scott Smith)
- Hotels Fund More Cleaning by Cutting Room Amenities and Breakfast Buffets: Wall Street Journal (feat. Scott Smith)
- Summer Guide 2020 — Parks: Enjoy Columbia’s outdoor areas responsibly: Free Times/Post and Courier (feat. Rich Harrill)
- Disney, Universal and SeaWorld face a huge task in reopening and enforcing the rules in a coronavirus world: Orlando Sentinel (feat. Scott Smith)
Faculty/Staff Notes
- SPTE Ph.D. student Tsu-lin Yeh received a two-year, $32K grant for her dissertation work.
- BAIS Director Marianne Bickle, Associate Dean for Academic Programs David Cardenas and Research Professor and Director of Sloan Center for Tourism Research Rich Harrill were reappointed to their positions.
- Simon Hudson’s latest book, COVID-19 & Travel. Impacts, Responses and Outcomes, is scheduled to be published in June. Preordering is now available.
Alumni Notes
Accomplishments/awards
2019
- Shari-Zhane Harvin-Langley (M.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) was featured in an article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution after sparking a company-wide conversation at the Atlanta Hawks about racial injustice.
- Jessica Rhinesmith (B.S. Hospitality Management) started a new position as hotel operations supervisor with SeaPines Resort on Hilton Head Island.
2017
- Kirsten Simmons (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) was featured in an article by SPort MAnagement Hub (link below) detailing her work as an NBA agent with Thread Sports Management.
2014
- Carole Sox (Ph.D. Hospitality Management) co-authored the article “8 Essential Questions to Ask When Moving Your Meeting or Event Online,” published in Delaware Business Now.
2007
- Jeff Kanof (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) was elected to the Board of Directors for the American Craft Spirits Association.
Job changes/promotions
2019
- Andrew Glover (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as the Head Basketball Coach at Lucy Beckham High School.
- Lindsey Spann (M.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as the Interim Assistant Coach for the women’s basketball team at the University of Maryland.
2018
- Kaajal Negi (M.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position with American Express as a Senior Credit Specialist.
2017
- Stephanie Weissenburger (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) was promoted to Vice President of the New York Law School Sports Law Society.
2016
- Brysen Rush (B.S. Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management) started a position with Morrison Healthcare as a Regional Manager.
2015
- Carly Ourada (B.S. Fashion Merchandising) started a new position as a Senior Merchandise Assortment Planner with Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
- Randy Williams (B.S. Retail Management) started a position with Lowe’s Companies, Inc. as a Store Manager.
2014
- Chase Blake (M.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as the Associate Athletics Director for Revenue Generation at Troy University.
- Ellen Brady (B.S. Integrated Information Technology) was promoted to Director of Operational Effectiveness and Digital Transformation at Colonial Life.
- Beshada McGregor (B.S. Information Technology) started a new position as a Cyber Security Analyst at Boeing.
- Matt O’Brien (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) was promoted to Manager of Global Brand Communications for Basketball and InstaPump Fury at Reebok.
2012
- Laura Fielden (B.S. Fashion Merchandising) started a position with Ross Stores, Inc. as a Buyer.
2007
- Brent Simmons (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) was promoted to Senior Director of Partnership Marketing for the Americas at City Football Group.
2006
- Toni DeVoe (B.S. Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management) started a new position as Human Resources Business Partner at Mohammed VI Polytechnic University.
2005
- Jack Halloran (B.S. Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management) started a new position with PANTHR as an Artist Relations Specialist.
2000
- Lenny Mathis (Sport and Entertainment Management) was named associate athletic director for external operations at the University of South Carolina Upstate.
1999
- Bo Moran (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) was promoted to Director of Operations at Lash Group.