I am a Professor and the Director of the Hospitality & Tourism Management program at Appalachian State University. Some of the classes I teach are Sustainable Tourism, Destination Management, Attraction Management, and International Tourism. My course, Animals, Tourism, and Sustainability, is the only course in the United States dedicated to animal based tourism.

I believe that students should engage with the industry as much as possible through internships, seasonal employment, and industry meetings. My students have engaged in practical projects while working with a number of partners (e.g. hotels, community events, trade associations) both inside and outside of the classroom. I am a strong advocate for traveling and studying abroad - and strive to bring international issues into the curriculum - so that my students can be good global citizens. 

I am proud to be on the faculty of the Walker College of Business since 2014. Prior to that I worked at East Carolina University, North Carolina Central University, and North Carolina State University - where I earned my MS and PhD.