Posted on: May 16, 2017
By: Allen Wallace, wallacej7@mailbox.sc.edu, 803-777-5667

The University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management is proud to welcome Drew Martin, Ph.D. as the new director of its School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. Martin will begin his new role on July 1, 2017 and will be responsible for leading all academic and research initiatives for the department.

Martin, selected for the position after a nationwide search, is an internationally recognized tourism expert and brings tremendous research, teaching, and professional experience from across the United States and globally. He comes to South Carolina from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where he most recently served as interim dean for the College of Business and Economics.

While he enjoyed his 13 years at Hawaii at Hilo, Martin said the opportunity to lead the program ranked No. 9 nationally by the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Education was too good to refuse.

"I was really impressed with the faculty, the students, the administration,” he said. “I was treated so well when I visited that I knew this was a place I wanted to come and make a contribution."

The School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management is home to four nationally ranked degree programs and is one of four core areas of study within USC’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management (HRSM). It offers bachelor’s degrees in hospitality and in tourism, a master’s degree in international hospitality and tourism management and a Ph.D. program focused on hospitality management. The school is also home to four research centers and an on-campus, student-run restaurant.

“We are excited about Dr. Martin’s arrival,” said Haemoon Oh, dean of USC’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management. “Besides his established reputation as a scholar and educator, he comes with administrative and international experiences to provide strong leadership to our School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management. Without doubt, he will take our school to the next level in every way.”

Martin’s research includes examinations of consumer behavior, advertising, brand management, strategic marketing, and international marketing. His published work includes articles on a wide range of topics from negotiating in cross-cultural situations to using YouTube to teach travel marketing.

Martin has served in numerous editorial roles, including senior associate editor for the Journal of Business Research. In 2013, he won the Michel Laroche Outstanding Journal of Business Research Associate Editor Award, becoming just the third recipient in 20 years. His work has earned him a reputation as a scholar eager to help others.

"I'm at a point in my career where I'm not working for myself. I want to see how I can help other people achieve their goals,” Martin said. “That's what's exciting about this job. It's an opportunity to help people to grow. So many people have been instrumental in my career along the way and I feel like this is a fabulous opportunity to give back."

Martin said the global reach and resources offered by Carolina were part of the appeal, but the decision was made easier by the faculty, staff and students.

"The people at the university have been amazing to me, during the interview, during my transition,” he said. “People have gone above and beyond the call of duty to make me feel welcome."

Martin will take over the director position from Robin DiPietro, Ph.D., who served as interim director during the search in addition to her duties as a professor in the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management and director of the International Institute for Foodservice Research and Education. DiPietro will continue in her roles as professor and institute director.

Martin holds a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business administration from Pacific Lutheran University and a master’s degree and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.