With over a decade of experience in higher education and 15+ years in the hospitality industry, I am driven by a passion for advancing food safety standards, experiential learning, and leadership in hospitality management. As an Associate Professor at Northwestern State University, I have pioneered curriculum innovations, led international study tours, and built strong industry partnerships to enhance student learning and career preparedness.
My academic journey includes a Ph.D. in Hospitality Management, where I specialized in food safety within temporary food service environments at major Louisiana events. This research is complemented by my practical experience managing diverse food service operations, from catering to restaurant management. My expertise also extends to developing food safety resources, preparing future leaders in the hospitality field.
Some highlights of my professional journey include:
- Spearheading the accreditation efforts for Northwestern State’s Hospitality Management & Tourism program, ensuring industry relevance and academic excellence.
- Leading students on global tours to Italy, Greece, and Spain, providing them with hands-on exposure to international hospitality standards.
- Presenting research on food safety and hospitality innovations at international conferences, including in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe.
- Serving as a faculty fellow and course designer, creating cutting-edge curricula in event management and leadership.
Driven by a commitment to student success, I actively collaborate with industry leaders, secure internships, and foster partnerships to bridge academia and real-world applications. Let’s connect if you’re looking for a strategic leader passionate about hospitality, education, and safety standards. Let's connect!More...
Mckenzie Story
Disability Specialist@Lipscomb University
Verified
McKenzie Story is a dedicated Disability Specialist at Lipscomb University, where she plays a pivotal role in providing support and resources for students with disabilities. She is responsible for ensuring equal access to educational opportunities for all students, regardless of their physical or mental impairments. McKenzie employs a variety of strategies to accommodate student needs, including the use of assistive technology, modification of course materials, and the provision of extra time for exams. Her work is crucial in promoting an inclusive and accessible learning environment at Lipscomb University.More...
Contrecia Tharpe
Chief Executive Officer@FayeVaughn Creative
Verified
With a proven track record in marketing, branding, and strategic communications, I help businesses and organizations craft compelling narratives that drive engagement, build brand equity, and accelerate growth. As the Chief Brand Strategy Architect at FayeVaughn Creative, I specialize in developing high-impact marketing strategies, brand positioning, and public relations campaigns that connect with audiences and deliver measurable results.
My expertise spans across industries, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, with a deep understanding of B2B services and revenue-driven industries. I excel in brand storytelling, digital strategy, and reputation management ensuring that every brand I work with stands out in a competitive market.More...
Rebecca Zanolini
Bilingual Education Consultant
Verified
Hi, my name is Dr. Rebecca Zanolini and I have over 20 years of experience in the global education field. I am completely bilingual in English and Spanish and I look forward to supporting you in your projects!More...
Adrianna Moore
Head of Digital@House of Chaos
Verified
Cutting my teeth as a political operative taught me to fail quickly, and fail often, that the worst ideas are the ones that everyone else has, too, and if you're not fighting with legal, you're boring. Although I've joined the dark side (meaning consulting), I still use these lessons every single day to push boundaries and deliver wins for clients. My goals both personally and professionally are to never stop creating and to never stop innovating.More...
Shane Prine
Professor@Lower Columbia College
Verified
I am a mid-career educator and creative director who is looking to maintain an up-to-date portfolio. My experience is primarily related to publishing, branding, music industry, and overall advertising campaigns encompassing a range of materials—from print to web to commercial
photography. Video, mobile, and interactive are not necessarily a part of my hands-on knowledge base
but I certainly understand how to integrate those aspects of advertising design into an overall campaign.
I am also a decent writer although, by no means would I consider myself a copywriter. I enjoy the brainstorming and idea formulation aspects of what I do more than anything else. My education is very broad in the humanities, sciences, and fine arts so I bring a wide range of ideas to an organization. As I mentioned, I am also an educator who has taught a range of graphic design and photography courses in higher education settings.
I am also a natural leader who treats others respectfully, even when faced with less than ideal circumstances. I would summarize my character, my personality, and my experiences accordingly:
• I have a passion for listening to, understanding and engaging people.
• I have over ten years of experience managing people, projects, budgets, and deadlines.
• I have been and enjoy being on the front lines of client and agency-facing work.
• I am typically someone with whom both clients and fellow employees genuinely enjoy working.
• I have been leading and teaching designers and design students for over 15 years.
• I am self-motivated, needing little supervision.
• I have 10+ years of strategic advertising experience in advertising agencies.
• I have significant graduate-level university course work in psychology and human behavior. I also have
a Master of Fine Arts degree in design/drawing and photography.
• I have excellent interpersonal skills.
• I have a passion for solving problems.
• I set goals and keep to-do lists in order to effectively multi-task.More...