In the News
- Just4Kids: Why are women’s shoes so pointy? A fashion expert explains. The Detroit News (written by Mike Watson)
- Best Store Credit Cards: WalletHub (feat. Md. Rafiqul Islam Rana)
- The Lantern Columbia opens as inclusive boutique hotel: SCBiz (feat. HRSM)
- Raines Transforms a Historic Firehouse into a Boutique Hotel with a Purpose-Driven Mission: HospitalityNet (feat. HRSM)
- Columbia SC’s The Lantern Hotel Opens in Vista, Reviving South Carolina Tourism: What You Need to Know: Travel and Tour World (feat. HRSM)
- Hospitality company Raines opens boutique hotel in South Carolina: Boutique Hotel News (feat. HRSM)
- The Lantern Columbia Opens: Lodging Magazine (feat. HRSM)
Faculty and Staff Notes
- Ph.D. student Saad Alshamari and Stephen Shapiro authored “Exploring the Role of Marketing Strategies in Enhancing Local Professional Soccer League Attendance Post-Hosting the FIFA World Cup,” recently published in the International Journal of Sport Management.
- Keshav Gupta’s paper “Gameful Affordance Management for Engagement and Retention (GAMER) Framework: Organizational Practices to Manage Consumer Affordances in Gamified Services,” was published in the Journal of Service Management.
- Mike Watson’s review of The New Normal in Education: Teaching, Learning, and Leading by Mary Beth Klinger and Teresa Coffman was published in the January 2026 issue of the Journal of Faculty Development.
- Kiara Hare received a USC Career Champion Award.
- Joseph Herman’s paper, “Competing Narratives: Black Male College Athletes’ Master Cultural Narratives Versus the National Collegiate Athletic Association” was published in the Sociology of Sport Journal.
- Professor Emeritus Brian Mihalik shared his latest 360-degree VR project: “360° VR Walk Around Bear Lake – Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA.”
Student Notes
- Makenzi Bartlett (Master of Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as a marketing intern at Premier Talent Sports and Entertainment.
- Richard Beane (Sport and Entertainment Management) started an internship with the Lexington County Blowfish.
- Luke Bender (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a summer partnership management internship with the Hub City Spartanburgers.
- Evan Berger (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted the position of inside sales intern with the Trenton Ironhawks for summer 2026.
- Jenna Bernstein (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be working as a premium seating and partnerships intern for Oak View Group on the new Mobile Arena set to open in 2027.
- Olivia Branson (Retailing - Retail Management) started her practicum with Alexandra Madison Weddings.
- Jakhi Brown (Master of Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted an events internship with the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame for this spring.
- Franchesca Cartaya (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) accepted an event manager internship position with Columbia Fashion Week.
- Jonah Chait (Sport and Entertainment Management) is working at the Colonial Life Arena as a box office Intern this semester.
- Christopher Crosby (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be joining the Heritage Classic Foundation as a tournament services intern.
- Jayden Crosby (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be returning to Charlotte Motor Speedway this spring as an event & guest services intern.
- Jessica DeRusso (Hospitality Management) accepted a Rooms Voyager position with Marriott International at the Charlotte Marriott SouthPark, starting July 2026.
- Regan Dowdy (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) started a brand and creative operations internship with Anton & Maxine.
- Isabella Dragos (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be joining the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame as an intern for the Spring semester.
- Christian Emenecker (Hospitality Management) accepted a manager in development position with Charlotte Country Club.
- Lauren Frasier-Jeffries (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a position as a recreational intern at Wild Dunes Resort in Isle of Palms, SC for this summer.
- Aaron Fishman (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as events intern at Township Auditorium.
- Tara Flood (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be starting a new position as director of public relations & philanthropy at South Carolina Hockey Club after this season.
- Lindsey Franz (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted an internship at the Carolina Indoor Tennis Facility for the Spring 2026 semester.
- Ashley Geller (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) started a new position as fashion journalist at Metro Vieve.
- Olivia Gilmore (Sport and Entertainment Management) began a social media internship with the Creative Media Department at Gamecock Athletics.
- Reid Grizzle (Sport and Entertainment Management) began a ticket office internship with Gamecock Athletics.
- Wyatt Hays (Sport and Entertainment Management) started an internship with event planner, concert promoter and Rock Block Consulting owner Trae Judy. Wyatt assisted with the grand opening of Finlay Park in Columbia, including working the Jam Room and Day Two music festivals.
- Hannah Hoppe (Hospitality Management) accepted a summer 2026 catering and special events internship at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio.
- Leah Jackson (Sport and Entertainment Management) began a ticket sales internship with the Columbia Fireflies.
- Ben Jernick (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a ticket operations internship with the Wilmington Sharks Baseball team for the summer 2026 season.
- Jake Kali (Sport and Entertainment Management) started working with the Carolina Indoor Tennis Center as a tennis operations intern.
- Lauren Kane (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) will be interning with Metro Vieve magazine this spring.
- Caroline Kelly (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) started a new role as a sales associate intern at A Little Happy in Columbia.
- Willow King (Hospitality Management) will be participating in the Disney College Program this semester.
- Daniel Kohls (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be joining the Kansas City Royals as a sales academy associate.
- Caroline Krempa (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be joining the University of South Carolina Baseball Event Management Team this spring.
- Ashton Lebed (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be spending this semester working as a regional scout with SponsorUnited.
- Jackson Lubar (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a consultative business development internship with Innovative Partnerships Group.
- Audrey Maddox (Hospitality Management) accepted an internship at Cherokee Town and Country Club in Atlanta for this summer.
- John Mahoney (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted an internship with the Lexington County Blowfish for the spring semester.
- Tatum Marmins (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) started a new position as store design assistant at Veronica Ann's, Inc. in North Georgia for the interior designer, Holli Phillips.
- Susanna McCormick (Retailing - Retail Management) completed the LeaderShape, Inc. Institute.
- Ronan McGowan (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted an offer to work with Gillette Stadium Security Event Staff for all FIFA World Cup matches hosted at the stadium this summer.
- Lia Militello (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) will be joining URBN (Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie Group, Free People & Nuuly) at their Philadelphia headquarters as a Free People buying intern on the apparel team for summer 2026.
- Madison Monastra (Hospitality Management) started a new role as front desk receptionist at The Lantern Columbia.
- Katherine Moore (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) will begin a new internship this semester with Metro Vieve Magazine as a fashion journalist.
- Teia Perez (Retailing - Retail Management) accepted a merchandising internship with American Eagle Outfitters Inc. for summer 2026 in New York City.
- Jill Pfeifer (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new role as a marketing operations assistant intern at 24 Hour Pickleball in Lexington, South Carolina.
- Kason Pippin (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be joining Peak Events, LLC in Jacksonville for the second year in a row for the Jax College Baseball Classic.
- Jaidyn Rancourt (Sport and Entertainment Management) began a ticket sales internship with the Columbia Fireflies.
- Colleen Raycroft (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) joined Columbia Fashion Week as a member of the editorial styling & beauty team.
- Ellie Sadlier (Sport and Entertainment Management) volunteered at The American Express Golf Tournament in La Quinta, California.
- Madi Schnepfe (Tourism Management) started a new role as field marketing coordinator at Create Wellness.
- Ali Schwartz (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be moving to Nashville and joining the inside sales team with the Nashville Predators after graduation in May.
- Jeremiah Smith (Sport and Entertainment Management) was selected to participate in the Virtual Development Series hosted by the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Anna Miles Taylor (Retailing - Retail Management) will be interning at Newmark’s Atlanta office this summer.
- Carys Waddington (Hospitality Management) accepted food and beverage internship with Hyatt Regency Minneapolis for summer 2026.
- Jackson Weber (Sport and Entertainment Management) will be working as a gameday operations intern with the Tri-City Chili Peppers in Colonial Heights, Virginia this summer.
Alumni Notes
- Isabel de Armas (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘19) was promoted to senior consultant, new ticket initiatives with the Atlanta Braves.
- Anna Grace Averett (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, ‘18) started a new position as lead, social/dropship commerce at Under Armour. She will be leading the strategy and execution of Under Armour’s social and drop ship commerce channels, including TikTok Shop, partnering cross functionally to turn brand storytelling into shoppable experiences.
- Kieran Burgess (Hospitality Management, ‘25) accepted an offer to join CoralTree Hospitality as a restaurant supervisor at the Magnolia Hotel in downtown Houston, Texas.
- Lauren Cole (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, ‘24, current Master of Retail Innovation student) started a full-time position as a showroom administrative assistant at Cregger Company Inc.
- Zachary Cooper (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘25) started a stadium management internship at Tempe Diablo Stadium, spring training home of the Los Angeles Angels.
- Cal Deas (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘21) was promoted to assistant golf professional at Kiawah Island Club.
- Michael DelBorrello (Hospitality Management, ‘25) started a new position as on-premise channel lead at Molson Coors Beverage Company.
- Leigh Edmonds (Sport and Entertainment Management) was selected for HillVets LEAD Cohort 11. HillVets LEAD is a program focused on preparing the next generation of MilVet connected leaders through education, mentorship, and community.
- Ashley Flannery (Hospitality Management, ‘25) earned her certification as a district sales leader at Frito-Lay.
- Andrew Fowler (Master of Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘22) started a new position as a special teams analyst at Kansas State University.
- Robbie Franklin (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘24) was promoted to account executive, group sales with the Baltimore Orioles.
- Jenna Garand (Hospitality Management, ‘25) accepted a f&b manager in training position at The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort.
- Jarett Gerald (Sport and Entertainment Management, '11, Master of Sport and Entertainment Management, '15) started a new position as assistant athletics director, major gifts at University of Missouri-Columbia.
- Spencer Hancock (Retailing - Retail Management, ‘20) started a new position as regional sales manager Gulf Coast at HOIST.
- Jack Harrington (Retailing - Retail Management, ‘25) started a new position as executive team lead at Target.
- Hunter Holson (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘24) started a new position as senior sales director at Capstone Hospitality: Membership Sales Solutions.
- Ainsley Horn (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘25) started a new role as volunteer coordinator with the LPGA.
- Corey Jones (Hospitality Management, 14) was selected as a creator fellow in the Blavity Creator Collective Fellowship.
- Caroline Kalmar (Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management, ‘24) stepped into a new role with Bagel Brands as a catering sales administrator.
- Darby Klemz (Retailing - Retail Management, ‘24) represented Belk at the NRF Foundation career fair in NYC.
- Camaya Lewis (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘24) accepted a new position as an inside sales representative with the Atlanta Falcons.
- Ava Luongo (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, ‘25) started a new position as marketing creative coordinator at MISTRAS Group.
- Maddi McLean (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘24) spoke at the Cleveland Cavaliers Sports & Entertainment Career Expo at Rocket Arena.
- Cameron Mecca (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘22) earned Talent Corps’ account manager of the year award.
- Caroline (Riffel) Moots (Retailing - Retail Management, ‘16) started a new position as sr. manager, merchandise planning at Carters Inc.
- Christina Nelson (Hospitality Management, ‘12) began a new position as interim president and CEO of the Greater CWC Chamber and Visitor Programs.
- Samantha Pardee (Hospitality Management, ‘14) started a new position as sales and event manager at Mollie Aspen.
- Katharine (Dattolo) Peters (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘20) started a new position as Manager, Talent Relations at JP Sports + Entertainment, Inc.
- Anna Pruitt (Master of Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘25) accepted the role of director of ticket management & technologies with the Trenton ECHL Hockey team.
- Shelby Rabin (Master of Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘24) was promoted to graphic designer at CLC.
- Dante Ratto (Master of Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘25) was promoted to season ticket account executive with the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans.
- Regan Reilly (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations, ‘25) was promoted to assistant buyer/merchandiser with Wanderlust Land & Sea.
- Erinn Rowe (Hospitality Management, ‘99) was named one of South Carolina's 50 Most Influential People by Greenville Business Magazine.
- Yue Shangguan (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘22) started a new role as sports project manager at East Goes Global.
- Jack Springs (Hospitality Management, ‘16) was one of NAI Columbia’s top producing brokers for 2025.
- Tate Van Liew (Hospitality Management, ‘24) started a new position as food & beverage manager at The Alotian Club
- Aidan Varrialle (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘25) will be joining the Zebulon Baseball Club, a new Coastal Plain League team in Zebulon, NC, as the baseball manager of ticketing.
- Morgan Vermeulen (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘25) started a new position as Account Manager at Vozzi.
- Daniel Warren (Sport and Entertainment Management, ‘17) started a new position as privacy counsel at HARMAN International.