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College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

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August 2024 HRSM student, faculty, staff and alumni notes

Posted on: August 9, 2024; Updated on: August 9, 2024
By Allen Wallace, awallace@sc.edu

In the News

Faculty and Staff Notes

  • Steve Taylor, Drew Martin, Donna Watts, Jeff Campbell, Mike Moody, Mike Watson, Kathy Smiling, Kate Blanton, Carolina Gamble and Nkem Kyle Elekwa were named Top Career Influencers by the USC Career Center. All were among the most mentioned in a recent First Destination Graduation Survey for December 2023 and May 2024 graduates
  • Marketa Kubickova was named ICHRIE (International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education) Outstanding Reviewer of the Year for Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Cases.
  • Tamara "Tammy" Macek, HRSM's inaugural learning experience designer, began her new role Aug. 1. Tammy will provide faculty coaching in best practices, and oversee the quality creation, delivery, and assessment of online and blended courses, and the use of innovative technologies within and beyond the classroom, among other things.
  • Emma Dickenson joined the HRSM Enrollment Management and Professional Development team Aug. 1 as student leadership services and event coordinator. She will support the daily events held in the HRSM Welcome Center, the 7th floor event space, and other HRSM-related events. Emma earned her B.S. in retailing with a minor in sport and entertainment management from the College of HRSM in 2021.
  • Emilio Guerra will have an expanded role this fall, managing the Beverage Lab in addition to teaching.
  • Ashley Richardson begins her new role as director of engaged learning and outreach in August.
  • Carol Como will be the new School of Hospitality and Tourism Management internship director beginning in August.
  • Tom Mullikin was named an honorary board member of the Galápagos Foundation and presented an award "In merit of his valuable support to the Galápagos Foundation, a non-profit entity that focuses on educational projects empowering young people and women in the Galápagos Islands for their training in hospitality and restoration with an ethical-sustainable approach."

Student Notes

  • Dylan Coller (Sport and Entertainment Management) started an internship with Greenville Triumph SC.
  • Hannah Doyle (Sport and Entertainment Management) completed the Foundation Ticket Sales Team Virtual Sales Academy with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
  • Riley Duggan (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as training camp event operations team member with the Chicago Bears.
  • Audrey Elmendorf (Hospitality Management) accepted a social media and public relations internship with City Social Co for fall semester.
  • Morgan Giard (Retailing) was recognized by the ECHL for her work in designing and selling merchandise for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits Palmetto Cup, featuring South Carolina Club Hockey vs Clemson.
  • Sydney Lynch (Tourism Management) began a new role as administrative intern with Two Sisters Travel and served as an extended mentor (XM) at Pillars for Carolina.
  • Sean Pecora (Sport and Entertainment Management) was accepted into the MetsU Sports Sales Program with the New York Mets.
  • Caitlyn Rascher (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a membership services internship with the Washington Wizards and Monumental Sports and Entertainment.
  • Emily Reichling (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a sales and marketing internship at the Augusta Entertainment Complex.
  • Regan Reilly (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) was recognized as a standout employee with USC Campus Recreation, and will serve in a new role as recreation supervisor in 2024-25.
  • Madi Schnepfe (Tourism Management) will begin a marketing and social media internship with the College of HRSM Aug. 19.
  • Swechchha Subedi completed her Ph.D. in Hospitality Management and accepted a position as assistant professor at the University of Tennessee.

Alumni Notes

  • Taylor Abelman (Hospitality Management, '16) started a new position as senior manager of operations at Hill House Home.
  • Kate Ashton (Hospitality Management, '20) started a new position as market development manager with Gallo.
  • Zach Bailes (Sport and Entertainment Management, '24) accepted a new position as an associate business development executive with The Bridge in Dallas, Texas.
  • Lauren Barth (Sport and Entertainment Management, '23) was promoted to account executive, business development with the New Jersey Devils.
  • Marissa Bayer (Master of Sport and Entertainment Management, '20) accepted a new position as director of strategic marketing (basketball) with Baylor University.
  • Alex Bennett (Sport and Entertainment Management, '23), Skylar Deichmann (Sport and Entertainment Management '22, Master of Sport and Entertainment Management '23), Cassie Geer (Sport and Entertainment Management, '23) and Sean Hofferty (Sport and Entertainment Management, '23) were all finalists for ECHL Rookie Seller of the Year. Deichmann won the ECHL “Groupie Award” for the Best Church program in the ECHL.
  • Jackson Boyd (Sport and Entertainment Management, '23) started a new position as coordinator, client services with Aquarius Sports and Entertainment.
  • Diego Bufquin (Ph.D. Hospitality Management, '15) started a new position as professor of practice at Tulane University’s A.B. Freeman School of Business.
  • Madison Butler (Sport and Entertainment Management, '24) was promoted to coordinator, guest experience for the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium.
  • James Cancello (Retailing, '24) started a new position as customer support representative at Master Power Transmission in Greenville, South Carolina.
  • Cal Cannestra (Sport and Entertainment Management, '18) started a new position as general manager, ticket operations and sales at Taymar Sales U. He will be moving to Bowling Green, Kentucky to run the ticket office and create new revenue generation opportunities for Western Kentucky University Athletics.
  • Lauren Cole (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, '24), will be one of the first students in the College of HRSM’s new Master of Retail Innovation program beginning this fall semester.
  • Nikita Cope (Tourism Management, '21) started a new position as air concierge at Signature Aviation.
  • Kaeli Crews (Sport and Entertainment Management, '23) completed her master’s degree in hospitality entrepreneurship at Florida State University.
  • Amanda Detyens (Sport and Entertainment Management, '23) started a new position as event assistant at Icehouse Amphitheater in Lexington, South Carolina.
  • Lenna Diamaduros (Hospitality Management, '18) started a new position as venue success manager at LineLeap.
  • Carrington Dirks (Sport and Entertainment Management, '24) accepted a new position as a marketing and fan engagement intern with the Presbyterian College Athletics Department.
  • Savannah Douglas (Hospitality Management, '24) started a client services internship with the PGA Tour’s Dominion Energy Charity Classic.
  • Rivir Edmonds (Sport and Entertainment Management, '22) accepted a new position as event and promotions Manager for the USC College of Information and Communications.
  • Matt Field (Sport and Entertainment Management, '23) will begin work on his master of science in management this fall at the University of Pittsburgh Katz Graduate School of Business.
  • Andrew Fowler (Master of Sport and Entertainment Management, '22) accepted a new position as special teams quality control assistant at the University of Toledo.
  • Katie Gallagher (Hospitality Management, '23) passed her Level 1 Court of Master Sommeliers Certification.
  • Chandler Garnett (Hospitality Management, '16) started a new position as director of sales for the University of South Carolina Alumni Association.
  • Madelyn Gilliam (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, '24) started a new position as stylist at Coplons.
  • Lauren (Johnson) Greenfield (Sport and Entertainment Management, '12) started a new position as vice president of partnership solutions with the Washington Commanders.
  • Alexandria Hill (Sport and Entertainment Management, '19) started a new position as executive assistant to the CEO at Klutch Sports Group.
  • Sam Hopler (Sport and Entertainment Management, '21) was promoted to Ryan Center Director of Event Services position with Oak View Group.
  • Clay Horowitz (Sport and Entertainment Management, '23) accepted a compliance externship with the University of Miami Athletics Department.
  • Emma Huggins (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, '14) was selected to participate in the inaugural David Yurman Operations Excellence Program.
  • Grace Iaria (Sport and Entertainment Management, '24) accepted a new position as marketing coordinator for Garnet Trust.
  • Rosilennys Inoa (Retailing, '09) earned her master’s degree in international business from the Aix-Marseille Graduate School of Management - IAE.
  • Warren Jahn (Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management, '04) was promoted to VP HR, Global Sales & AMER Growth/Commercial with IHG Hotels and Resorts.
  • Collin Kaden (Sport and Entertainment Management, '13) started a new position as associate vice president, talent acquisition at LPL Financial.
  • Arif Kapasi (Sport and Entertainment Management, '11) started a new position as associate athletic director of compliance and student-athlete services at UCLA.
  • Alexandra Kramer (Sport and Entertainment Management, '24) accepted a new position as coordinator of football operations with the University of Maryland.
  • Francis LaMotte (Retailing, '24) accepted a new position as a personal stylist at Liam John in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina after interning with the company as a student.
  • Andrew Law (Sport and Entertainment Management, '23) was recognized by the Atlanta Gladiators as a rising group sales star.
  • Jamie Lee (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, '24) accepted a new position as assistant buyer with the Cato Corporation.
  • Lexie Liston (Retailing - Retail Management, '17) started a new position as chief of staff to the COO at GoRascal.
  • Zepeng “Jake” Liu (Tourism Management, '23) started  a new position as executive assistant to the general manager, market researcher at Tongcheng-Elong Holdings.
  • Skylar McDonald (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, '24) started a new position as a stylist at Jaxon James Couture Bridal.
  • Aidan McNerney (Sport and Entertainment Management, '19) started a new position as senior manager, sponsorship strategies and activation at MKTG.
  • Meghan McMenamy (Hospitality Management, '17) started a new position as project supervisor at Infinity Marketing.
  • Jack Meakin (Hospitality Management, '18) was promoted to vice president of business development at Hotel Equities
  • Cameron Mecca (Sport and Entertainment Management, '23) started a new position as account manager with Talent Corps.
  • Ryan Miller (Sport and Entertainment Management, '22) accepted a new position as partner impact specialist at Discovery Education in Charlotte.
  • Jordan Mooring (Sport and Entertainment Management, '24) started an internship with USA Football.
  • Cory Morris (Sport and Entertainment Management, '19) started a new position as senior manager at MKTG.
  • Kerrin Murawsky (Tourism Management, '21) accepted a new position as donor relations and event manager at USC.
  • Erica Myers (Retailing, '16) started a new position as event producer at Rose Gold Collective.
  • Korbyn O’Banion (Services Management, '24) started a new position as a wine sales lead at Republic National Distributing Company, based in Dallas, Texas.
  • Karen O’Neill (Hospitality Management, '97) started a new position as senior partner at Growth Advisors International Network.
  • Chloe Pack (Retailing, '24) started a new position as assistant manager at Ivy & Leo in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
  • Gavin Pence (Sport and Entertainment Management, '21) started a new position as assistant director of major gift accounts at USC.
  • Riley Phillips (Hospitality Management, '22) was promoted to catering sales manager at Credit One Stadium with Oak View Group.
  • Logan Platt (Retailing - Retail Management, '22) started a new position as director with Chick-fil-A.
  • Zach Rabinowitz (Sport and Entertainment Management, '21) started a new position as retention sales specialist, with the New York Yankees.
  • Rachel Ragan (Sport and Entertainment Management, '19) started a new position as assistant fitness director at Onelife Fitness in McLean, Virginia.
  • Kristie Santora Rasheed (Hospitality Management '02, current Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management student) was chosen to serve as the next President of the Board of Directors for the Lowcountry Hospitality Association (South Carolina).
  • Nathan Rhyne (Sport and Entertainment Management, '23) was named June Employee of the Month by Experience Columbia SC.
  • Max Rogers (Sport and Entertainment Management. '22) started a new position as lead conference manager at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
  • Josephine Rose (Sport and Entertainment Management, '22, Master of Sport and Entertainment Management and MBA, '24) accepted a new position as director of communications with Saint Joseph Catholic School.
  • Haley Ruddock (Sport and Entertainment Management. '22) started an operations internship with Oak View Group at UBS Arena, home of the New York Islanders.
  • Caleigh Stenger (Sport and Entertainment Management, '22) started a new position as assistant account executive, golf and tennis with Momentum Worldwide in New York City.
  • Zyrien Stewart (Sport and Entertainment Management, '24) was promoted to assistant general manager at Pinch.
  • Kelly Stillwagon (Sport and Entertainment Management, '19) started a new position as senior coordinator, MSG Live at Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
  • Kelsey Sturek (Sport and Entertainment Management, '24) accepted a new position as coordinator, retail operations with the United States Golf Association (USGA) in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
  • Lyric Swinton (Sport and Entertainment Management, '20) started a new position as editor of newsletters and emerging platforms at The Post and Courier.
  • Matt Tassello (Sport and Entertainment Management, '13) started a new position as an account executive with Wander.
  • Grant Taylor (Retailing - Retail Management, '23) started a new position as assistant event manager - golf and tennis with Legends Global Merchandise.
  • Caitlynn Thomas (Sport and Entertainment Management, '21) started a new position as e-commerce manager at the Merch Collective.
  • Sean Walsh (Sport and Entertainment Management, '21) started a new position as account manager, season ticket member Services with the Denver Broncos.
  • Devon Watson (Sport and Entertainment Management, '24) started a training camp equipment internship with the Washington Commanders.
  • Cal Weirich (Sport and Entertainment Management, '21) started a new position as business development representative at AvidXchange.
  • Hunter Yarbro (Sport and Entertainment Management, '20) was promoted to manager, suite sales with the Atlanta Hawks.

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