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College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management

  • Banner image showing four individuals side by side on a geometric background with maroon borders and name tags: David Erbacher in a suit smiling, Rodrigo Feller in a red shirt outdoors, Taylor Reader holding a green Celtics jersey, and Stephanie Richards wearing glasses and a black top, all recognized for recent professional achievements.

May 2025 HRSM student, faculty, staff and alumni notes

Posted on: May 12, 2025; Updated on: May 12, 2025
By Allen Wallace, awallace@sc.edu

In the News

Faculty and Staff Notes

  • Jeff Campbell completed the USC Pipeline for Academy Leadership (PAL) program.
  • Mike Watson completed the USC Emerging Leaders Program (ELP).
  • Karen Edwards and Sandy Strick received the 2025 SAI Faculty Leaders Award. This international award recognizes partner faculty who demonstrate exceptional commitment to their students and who consistently enrich the study abroad experience.
  • Christina Sayers was selected as one of the Top 50 Women Leaders of South Carolina for 2025 by thewomenweadmire.com and was nominated as a finalist at this year's "Oscars of International Education" for "Emerging Leader of the Year- The Americas.”
  • Stephanie Richards was selected as the recipient of the annual University of South Carolina Institutional Academic Advising Award: Advising Administrator.
  • Grace Yan’s photography was featured in an exhibition at Columbia’s Stormwater Gallery.
  • Nicholas Watanabe co-authored “TikTok as a learning tool in higher education: Validation of a scale” published in the Journal of Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism Education.
  • The College Sport Research Institute, led by Richard Southall and Mark Nagel, published the 2025 NCAA Division I Basketball Adjusted Graduation Gap Report.
  • Tyler Skinner and Nicholas Watanabe presented research at the UMBC Sports Economics Conference.
  • Darron Kirkley’s Festival Planning class planned, promoted and executed a successful Spring Fling event at McCutchen House.

Student Notes

  • Nicole Anderson (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be joining The Charlotte Sports Foundation as a fellow this summer through the Charlotte Sports Business Fellowship powered by Sports Biz Careers.
  • Eilea Andrews (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) accepted a summer internship with Hill House Home in Charleston, SC.
  • Brooke Brcchetti (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted an internship with Foundation Management & Pro-Productions, Inc. for this summer.
  • Cade Blanton (Retailing - Retail Management) accepted a summer internship offer with Palmetto Home Center.
  • Garret Bolton, Simone Harris, Kassidy Hejlik, Ryne Helvie, Ainsley Horn, Isabella Larson, Kaitlyn Lewis, Finnea Loftus, Allison Luks, C. Rollins Nix, Ava Patak, Sophia Piscitell, Hannah Proce, Sarah Sham, Julianna Sikoryak, Emily Silvaggio, Lia Tenebruso and Ryann Wiltsie earned Graduation with Leadership Distinction.
  • Devin Borrero (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a summer digital marketing internship with Legends.
  • Kaitlyn Boyle (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be interning at Grey Oaks Country Club in Naples, Florida this summer.
  • Kieran Burgess and Karan Patel (both Hospitality Management) made the Final Four in the Hotel Turnaround Collegiate Championship at the 2025 Asian American Hotel Owners Association Convention (AAHOACON) in New Orleans. The competition included 14 student teams from hospitality programs at universities across the country. The USC team was coached by School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Interim Internship Coordinator Wendy Addington and led by Professor of Strategic Leadership Charles Partlow.
  • Kieran Burgess (Hospitality Management) accepted a position as a warehouse manager with the HAP Company at their Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge in Copper Center, Alaska.
  • Kiersten Calkins (Retailing - Retail Management) was selected as co-director of Ignite for USC Dance Marathon.
  • Emily Chandler (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) accepted a full-time position at Tom James Company as an outside sales professional in the company’s Atlanta office.
  • Lauren Cole (Master of Retail Innovation) started a new position as a Retail Guide at Orvis.
  • Jeremy Cortazzo (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a summer ticketing operations and fan experience internship with the Philadelphia Eagles.
  • Jayden Crosby (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted an event and guest services summer internship at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
  • Benjamin Drago (Sport and Entertainment Management) will participate in the Cleveland Cavaliers' 3rd Annual Virtual Sales Academy this summer.
  • Elizabeth Duce (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) accepted a summer internship with The Florida Room.
  • Rodrigo Feller (Ph.D. Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a tenure track position as acting assistant professor of sport and recreation management at Utah Tech University.
  • Parker de Leon (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a season long position as a ticket sales associate with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers.
  • Jake Fleming (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a summer internship with the Brockton Rox.
  • Jordyn Flemming (Hospitality Management) accepted a hospitality internship at Coral Bay Club in Atlantic Beach, North Carolina.
  • Lindsay Friedman (Retailing - Retail Management) will be working as a legal intern this summer for Fried Goldberg LLC.
  • Alli Garner (Sport and Entertainment Management) will join the Columbus Crew this summer as part of their Matchday Ticket Operations team and will be heading to Oakmont Country Club in June to work her second consecutive U.S. Open with the USGA.
  • Colin Grant (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a summer internship with the Worcester Red Sox.
  • Allison Grzywinski (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be joining All-Star Sports Academy this summer as an event management intern.
  • Tate Hanna (MBA/Master of Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a summer internship with Make Wake Artists in Nashville, Tennessee.
  • Amelia Hathaway (Hospitality Management) successfully defended her senior honors thesis: "Cross-Cultural Wedding Planning and Execution."
  • Kira Hecht (Sport and Entertainment Management) was selected to join the Sunbelt Baseball League’s Summer Internship Program.
  • Brigid Hempstead (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a position as an inside sales representative with the Philadelphia Flyer and Comcast Spectacor to begin after graduation.
  • Marisa Huerta (Hospitality Management) will be interning at the Beach House Hilton Head Island this summer.
  • Jack Jennings (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be joining the team at TPC Potomac at Avenel Farm as a golf operations intern following graduation.
  • Emma Grace Knight (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted and started an internship with the Columbia Fireflies.
  • Erin Lewantowicz (Sport and Entertainment Management) successfully defended her senior honors thesis: “Transforming the Feminist Movement: How Female Celebrities Influence the Economic Power and Consumer Behaviors of Women.”
  • Finnea Loftus (Retailing) accepted a position as senior coordinator golf and tennis with Legends to begin after graduation.
  • Rachel Martin (Hospitality Management) accepted a summer internship with Coral Bay Club in Atlantic Beach, NC.
  • Annabella Martuscelli (Hospitality Management) accepted a full-time position as a food and beverage supervisor at the Tampa Yacht & Country Club.
  • Kayla Mason (Hospitality Management) accepted the role of college and international recruitment professional intern at Walt Disney World to begin after graduation.
  • Madalyn McLaughlin (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) accepted a summer internship with Sugarboo & Co.
  • Nate Merritt (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a role as an assistant golf professional at Quail Hollow Club to begin after graduation in May.
  • Gloria Metallo (Sport and Entertainment Management) will begin her senior internship with Bluebird Golf next month.
  • Lia Militello (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) has joined brandymelvilleusa as a sales associate for this summer.
  • Corey Minkoff (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a summer marketing internship with Rosenhaus Sports.
  • Katherine Moore (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) accepted a store manager internship with Macy’s in Boca Raton, Florida.
  • Thomas Neighbors (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as summer leader at Cho-Yeh Camp and Conference Center.
  • Sport and Entertainment Management Ph.D. student Deokkyung Ock’s latest research, "The Impact of Live Chat, Streamer Presence, and Suspense on Brand Recognition in Social Live Streaming Services," was published in the Journal of Brand Management.
  • Ava Patak (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a position as sales academy associate with the Kansas City Royals to begin after graduation.
  • Meghan Penske (Hospitality Management) accepted a position as events and rentals lead at the Columbia Museum of Art to begin after graduation.
  • Charlie Price (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted an internship with the Charleston RiverDogs.
  • Augusta Roach (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) successfully defended her senior honors thesis: “The Two Faces of Influencer Marketing: A Look Into Overconsumption, Brand Perception, and Consumer Psychology in the Cosmetic Sector.”
  • Trotter Scearce (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a summer merchandise management internship with the Columbia Fireflies.
  • Chris Seguin Jr. (Retailing - Retail Management) joining the team at Velocitor Solutions this summer, assisting across various areas of business operations, including sales, inventory management, finance, support, distribution, and project management.
  • Scott Senkowski (Hospitality Management) will be joining Hilton as a brand intern at corporate headquarters in McLean, Virginia, this summer.
  • Elle Sherin (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a summer internship at the Kiawah Island Club.
  • William Sibley (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a position as a ticket sales account executive with the Utah Grizzlies to begin after graduation.
  • Ashley Snead (Retailing - Retail Management) accepted a summer role as a store intern at Belk in Charleston, South Carolina
  • Nyla Staples (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a summer internship with the Lexington County Blowfish.
  • Madilyn Steffe (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be an ad sales intern in New York City this summer with Up-Entertainment.
  • Olivia Sucansky (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) will be completing her retail practicum this summer with Aerie by AEO, Inc.
  • Jaime Torres (Master of Sport and Entertainment Management) worked the Formula I Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix.
  • Aidan Varrialle (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a position with University of North Carolina Athletics as a ticket office assistant.
  • Ruby Wallace (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted an internship in ticket sales and services with the Pittsburgh Pirates for this summer.
  • Kyra Weise (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a position as fall equipment intern for Gamecock Football.
  • Camden Wheeler (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) accepted a summer position as an e-commerce site merchandising intern at Carter’s, Inc.
  • Mitchell Zavoda (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a summer position with Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club.
  • Logan Zeller (Sport and Entertainment Management) earned the Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship Award.
  • Hannah Zipfel (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be joining Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club as an event and entertainment coordination intern this summer.

Alumni Notes

  • Caitlin Ansel (Hospitality Management, ‘21) transitioned her role as convention services Manager from Omni Louisville Hotel to Omni Houston Hotel.
  • Steven Arella (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘24) started a new position as assistant golf professional at Southampton Golf Club.
  • Sarah Barreca (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, ‘17) started a new position as senior global merchandiser at G-III Apparel Group for Converse Apparel.
  • Ashley Brusca (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘14) started a new position as senior event manager at Rose Bowl Stadium.
  • Marissa Buck (Hospitality Management and Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘17) started a new position as Office of Special Events assistant director and events manager at USC.
  • Brooke Darby (Interdisciplinary Studies in Services Management, ’24) accepted a new position as associate community manager at The Standard at Columbia.
  • Silvia Chinellato (B.S. Tourism Management '19, Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management '21) was promoted to associate head coach with University of Missouri Tennis.
  • Emma Cohen-Dumani (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘21) started a new role as senior manager, group sales with the Washington Spirit.
  • Rachel Dixon (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, ‘20) started a new role as a planner at Crate and Barrel.
  • Anthony Enriquez (Hospitality Management, ‘24) accepted a new position as dining room manager and event coordinator at Timberlake Country Club.
  • David Erbacher (Hospitality Management, ‘10) started a new position as general manager with Oceanside Resorts, Inc. at the Crowne Plaza Greenville.
  • Sarah Fabrizio (Hospitality Management, ‘20) accepted a promotion to banquet manager at Gaylord Pacific Resort and Convention Center.
  • Emma Gargiulo (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘18) passed the California Bar. She had previously passed the bar in New York.
  • Collin Goff (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘21) was promoted to market credit manager at Ferguson.
  • Lauren Hart (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘11) started a new position as vice president of partner solutions with Connect Partnership Group.
  • Lauren Hayes (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘21) started a new position as a paid social media strategist at Harmelin Media.
  • Sydney Hoover (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, ‘23) was promoted to associate manager of public relations and influencer partnerships at Ann Taylor and LOFT.
  • Olivia Hyatt (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘11) started a new position as vice president of strategy with Flock and Rally Integrated Communications and Marketing.
  • John Kelly (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘24) started a new position as account manager at Budweiser of Columbia/KW Beverage.
  • Robert Lanzone (Tourism Management, ‘24) started a new position as special events operations coordinator at South Carolina State Museum.
  • Dalton Kleinhen (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘21) started a new position as wealth management client associate at Merrill Lynch with the Stikeleather & Associates team.
  • Florencia Laber (Hospitality Management, ‘20) joined Remington Hospitality as area director of revenue strategy.
  • William Lamson (B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management ‘11, Master of Sport and Entertainment Management ‘12) started a new position as manager, group sales with the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium.
  • Matt Levine (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘24) started a new position as event and game day staff with the New York Jets.
  • Zepeng “Jake” Liu (Tourism Management, ‘23) completed his master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University and was named the Purdue HTM - White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Outstanding Maste’rs Graduate Student (Non-Thesis) award recipient.
  • Levi Longstreet (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘24) started a new position as account executive at West Virginia University with Learfield Amplify.
  • Gillian Luskay (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, ‘18) started a new position as brand operations manager at ZIZI the Label.
  • Mary Liza McDonald (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, ‘23) started a new position as buying coordinator - private label at Tuckernuck.
  • Emily Metz (Hospitality Management, ‘20) joined the College of HRSM staff as global learning coordinator.
  • Anna Morris (Hospitality Management, ‘20) started a new position as event operations coordinator at Quint.
  • Benji Oxman (Sport and Entertainment Management, '22) started a new position as assistant men’s basketball coach at Simpson College.
  • Andris Poulos (Sport and Entertainment Management, '22) started a new position as foundation ambassador with the Atlanta Braves.
  • Taylor Reader (Sport and Entertainment Management, '22) joined the Boston Celtics as manager, youth development strategy.
  • Sydney Richardson (Sport and Entertainment Management, '21) completed her MBA at Limestone University and started a new position as program account manager at Signatures Apparel.
  • Adam Robbins (Hospitality Management, ‘23) started a new position as inbound business development representative at Klaviyo.
  • Haley Ruddock (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘22) accepted a position at Kraft Sports + Entertainment as a corporate partnerships coordinator, working with the New England Patriots, New England Revolution, and Gillette Stadium.
  • Alec Shettle (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘14) started a new position as senior assistant general manager at Colonial Life Arena.
  • Carleigh Solomon (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘23), now a law student at the University of Maryland, will be joining TAIT as a legal intern this summer.
  • Alaina Sosangelis (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘22) ) is expanding her role at A-Rod Corp. In addition to her responsibilities as executive assistant, she will now also be taking on event coordinator duties.
  • Blake Toomer (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘19) started a new position as account executive, group sales at San Diego Wave Fútbol Club.
  • Ashley Unrue (Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management, ‘08) started a new position as senior regional director of sales at Newport Hospitality Group.
  • Haley Weintroub (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, ‘18) started a new position as corporate merchandising analyst, omni - building materials at Lowe's Companies, Inc.
  • Collin Wilson (Sport and Entertainment Management, '19), now head coach with Coastal Carolina University Volleyball, was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year.
  • Erika Wise (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, ‘23) started a new position as apparel allocator at DTLR, Inc.

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