In the news

• After strong holiday season, Columbia restaurants hit with COVID-19 closures: Post and Courier (feat. George Hendry)
• 10 Trends That Will Shape the Travel Landscape in 2022: Family Vacationist (feat. Simon Hudson)
• Renovations help Augusta's landmark Partridge Inn hotel age gracefully: Augusta Chronicle (feat. Scott Smith)
• Olympics by the numbers: WalletHub (feat. Stephen Shapiro)

Faculty, staff and student notes

• Hospitality Management Ph.D. student Hyunsu Kim received the Best Paper Award at the 27th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism for the paper, “Can service robots build intimate relationships with customers? A social exchange theory perspective.” Kim was also named a 2022 UofSC Breakthrough Graduate Scholar.
• Mark Nagel co-authored, “Who Are Our Fans: An Application of Principal Component-Cluster Technique Analysis to Market Segmentation of College Football Fans,” published in the Journal of Applied Sport Management.
• Robin DiPietro served as a panelist for a discussion on Career Development and Success at the 27th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism.
• Hospitality and Tourism Management Instructor Darron Kirkley (also a two-time HRSM alumnus) was named Adjunct of the Year by the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. Kirkley also recently completed his National Board teaching certification. In addition to his work with HRSM, he teaches hospitality and tourism management classes to high school students in the Chesterfield County (South Carolina) School District.
• Rachel Sims (Hospitality Management) accepted a position with Beacon Hill Staffing Group as a staffing consultant in their technologies division in Charlotte. She will begin the full-time role after graduation in May.
• Kathryn Kotecha (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising) accepted a position with Macy’s. She will join their executive development program in the merchandising - buying and pricing strategy area in New York City after graduation in May.
• Caroline Lewis (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a position with the PGA of America. She will join their South Florida Section after graduation in May and serve as a coordinator for tournaments.

Alumni news

• Jacob Gilbert (M.S. Sport and Entertainment Management, ′18) won the CALI Excellence for the Future Award, presented by the University of Florida for excellent achievement in the study of sports law.
• Averi McNeil (Sport and Entertainment Management, ′21), now an event manager with CSC, was part of the team assisting with the trophy presentation at the College Football Playoff National Championship. More than 20 current HRSM students also worked the game.
• John Thomas (Retailing, ′05) joined the Morgan Stanley Wealth Management National Diversity & Inclusion Council, dedicated to building a culture of belonging and a more equitable future for the company’s employees and those they serve.
• Ashley Elsey, née Cady (Tourism Management, ′15) was chosen as a 2022 Columbia, South Carolina Ambassador by Experience Columbia SC.

Job Changes/Promotions:

2021

• Hunter Cook (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a new position as customer operations agent with FanDuel.
• Madison Brabham (Sport and Entertainment Management) began a new position as sales coordinator at FedEx St. Jude Championship with the PGA Tour.
• Lauren Goodwin (Hospitality Management) started a new position as recruiting assistant at Recruiting Solutions in Greenville, South Carolina.
• Christian Papa (Sport and Entertainment Management) was promoted to advertising sales director at Professional Sports Publications.
• Riley Hollar (Sport and Entertainment Management) was promoted to community relations / ticketing intern with the Charleston RiverDogs.
• Aaron Randle (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as assistant to coordinator of operations at the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center at the University of South Carolina.
• Tyson McDowell (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as front desk and sales associate at RockBox Fitness.
• Richelle Thompson (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) started a new position as assistant buyer with Belk in Charlotte, N.C.
• Ashley Pietrzak (Retailing - Retail Management) started a new position as sales representative at CMI Associates.
• Lauren Payne (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as attendee engagement specialist at Altour Corporate, Meetings and Incentives.

2020

• Sara Pollin (Retailing - Retail Management) started a new position as product development coordinator, men’s SLGs at Coach in New York, N.Y.
• Joanna Tiller (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising and Digital Innovations) started a new position as designer at Neiman Marcus Group in New York, N.Y.
• Claire Edwards (M.S. Sport and Entertainment Management, also earned B.S. in Sport and Entertainment Management ′19) accepted a new position as account manager, ticket sales with the Columbia Fireflies.
• Davis Reeves (Retailing - Retail Management), now an operations assistant store manager with Kohl’s, helped lead his store to a district Store of the Month award in December.
• Kyle Schwitzer (Sport and Entertainment Management) was promoted to message ops client executive at Sirius Computer Solutions, Inc.
• Tim Marshall (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as sponsorship and activation trainee with MKTG.
• Cassidy Gregory (Tourism Management) started a new position as account coordinator with Nolan Transportation Group.
• Michael Walsh (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as advisory associate at Grant Thornton LLP.
• Jarius Byrd (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a new position as football defensive line coach at Blythewood High School.
• Anthony Candelori-Moraglia (Sport and Entertainment Management) was promoted to Philadelphia market lead at SponsorUnited.
• Suhel Karara (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as business intelligence analyst at ViacomCBS.
• Luciana Zullo (Sport and Entertainment Management and current M.S. Sport and Entertainment Management student) accepted a new position as flooring support specialist at Sorinex Exercise Equipment.

2019

• Nevonne Burrell (Hospitality Management) started a new position as account relationship manager with City Imprints.
• Kendra Holaday (M.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) was promoted to director of premium seating and events at the University of South Carolina.
• Nicole Ponisi (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising) was promoted to account executive — CeCe at Bernard Chaus, Inc.
• Conor Mitchum (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a new position as account manager for ticket sales with the Columbia Fireflies.
• Kayla Cook (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising) was promoted to customer success manager at Vari.

2018

• Mary Elizabeth Dew (Tourism Management) was promoted to the leadership development program at Chick-fil-A Corporate Support Center.
• Matthew Jinnette (Retailing - Retail Management) was promoted to assistant general manager with the Lexington County Blowfish.
• Ellie Bonck (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising) accepted a new position as merchandiser with Randa Apparel and Accessories.
• Bridgette Franceschini, née Vogan (Sport and Entertainment Management) was promoted to manager, regional marketing of Florida concerts with Live Nation Entertainment.
• Kate Tkach (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as special events manager at Virginia Commonwealth University.
• Ryley Harbour (M.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a new position with Tepper Sports and Entertainment as game day and event operations
• Emily Russell (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising) was promoted to assistant buyer at Cato Corporation.

2017

• Coleah Bellamy (Tourism Management) started a new position as events and marketing executive at the Digital Voice in West Malling, England.
• Sydney Bell (Hospitality Management) started a new position as recreation director at Myrtle Beach Travel Park.

2016

• Jaclyn Whiteside (Hospitality Management) accepted a new position as international relations project manager with the Country Music Association.
• Makenzie Wall (Hospitality Management) accepted a new position as senior events manager with Little Gem Resorts, based in Martha’s Vineyard.
• Layton Markwood (Sport and Entertainment Management) started a new position as executive director, tickets with Richmond Kickers Soccer Club.
• Claire Walker (Retailing - Fashion Merchandising) started a new position as head of operations at Show Your Slabs.

2015

• Kauri Black (M.S. Sport and Entertainment Management) was promoted to senior director for broadcasting and digital programming at the American Athletic Conference.

2014

• Diamond Walker (Hospitality Management) started a new position as project coordinator at Oxit.
• Ashley Owens (Hospitality Management) was promoted to senior national sales manager at VisitGreenvilleSC.

2012

• Jessica O’Neill (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a new position as president of the Houston Dash, a National Women’s Soccer League franchise.
• Jared Evans (Sport and Entertainment Management) was promoted to executive director of military and veteran affairs at the University of South Carolina.
• Nora Thomas (M.S. International Hospitality and Tourism Management) accepted a new position as senior account executive - tourism with Adara, Inc.
• Thomas Payne (Hospitality Management) started a new position as dual general manager at Chartwell Hospitality.

2011

• Blair Ramspacher, née Cauthen (M.S. Sport and Entertainment Management, also B.S. Sport and Entertainment Management ’10 ) started a new position as customer success manager at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

2006

• Demetre Kokoris (Sport and Entertainment Management) accepted a position as pitching coach for the Down East Wood Ducks in the Texas Rangers
• Melanie Henkes (Sport and Entertainment Management began a new position as executive vice president and general manager at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind.

2000

• Andrea Belfanti (Hospitality Management) was promoted to CEO of the International Society of Hospitality Consultants.
• Dogan Tengizman (Hospitality Management) accepted a new position as director of food and beverage at the Sheraton Amman Al Nabil hotel in Amman, Jordan.