Bulls Notebook: USFSM hosts weeklong conference

Organized by the Association of North America Higher Education International (ANAHEI), the conference featured a range of lectures and panel discussions, from the role of women in business and education to niche topics like the benefits of digital technology to hotels.

“The speakers were all excellent,” said Dr. Chandra Aleong, who attended from Delaware State University’s College of Education. “The networking, there are so many interesting people, and the lectures, it was all very inspiring.”

The conference-goers represented more than 50 universities from 22 countries.

Uju Violet Alola, traveling from Eastern Mediterranean University in northern Cyprus – a 14-hour trip –presented a paper on tourism management. She said she was impressed by the diversity and breadth of speakers in her field.

“This is a conference where I could meet academicians from around the world to give me input about my work,” the graduate student said. “It’s been quite interesting. I’m sure next year, I’ll be going to the next conference.”

ANAHEI, USFSM and the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau sponsored the event, filled with workshops, keynote speeches and panel discussions.

“I am thrilled that we could bring this amazing event and talents to USFSM,” ANAHEI President Dr. Cihan Cobanoglu said. “The GLOBE conference is a truly international event as the attendees have opportunities to socialize and expand their network at an international level.”

Dr. Cobanoglu, McKibbon endowed chair and director of the M3 Center at USFSM’s College of Hospitality & Tourism Leadership (CHTL), served as conference host and program chair. Other USFSM faculty contributed as well.

Dr. Faizan Ali, an assistant professor in the campus’ CHTL, opened the event with a pre-conference workshop, “Are Our Methods Sound? Basic Mistakes Made in Hospitality Marketing Research.”

USFSM Regional Chancellor Dr. Karen Holbrook moderated a panel discussion, “The Role of Women in Business and Education.” And Dr. Patrick Moreo, dean of the College of Hospitality & Tourism Management, served on the scientific organizing committee overseeing paper submissions.

Other talks were led by Keith Barron, an attorney and instructor in the CHTL, and Dr. Thomas Becker, a professor of management in USFSM’s College of Business.

Attendees gave the conference high marks.

“It was a very good networking conference,” said Elecia Bethune, a lecturer from the University of Technology, Jamaica, in Kingston. “It provided the opportunity to see how other people’s interests align with your own, and you had the opportunity to reach out to them.”

Dr. Ernest Edward Pegram, an assistant professor of economics at Averett University in Danville, Va., said he enjoyed the cross section of views.

“The speakers were fantastic,” he said. “I got many, many ideas. It was interesting to hear different perspectives and what’s new, and see maybe some opportunities for collaboration.”

Onur Emre Corbaci, a Turkish graduate student from Dokuz Eylül University in Izmir, said he was impressed by the speakers’ expansive knowledge.

“There are some really impressive, high-level speakers here,” said Corbaci, visiting USFSM to study the impact of photography on marketing and consumers. “It has been very interesting and challenging.”

Enterprise Holdings makes generous donation

USF Sarasota-Manatee offers its thanks to Enterprise Holdings for its recent $5,000 contribution.

“USF Sarasota-Manatee has been a valuable partner to us for several years and we are happy to support this institution and its students,” Kayla Cramer, talent acquisition manager at the company’s Fort Myers office, said in presenting the donation last Wednesday at USFSM.

Ben Heins, coordinator of internships and service learning at the campus, said he was grateful for the company’s longtime support and its recent generous contribution. The funds will be used to promote student success.

“Enterprise has been a wonderful partner,” he said. “Their support has been transformational in the lives of our students.”

Enterprise has been supportive of the campus for years, not just financially but also in its willingness to accept USFSM interns. In addition, many USFSM graduates have transitioned to management training programs at Enterprise.

USFSM to offer ACT prep classes

Starting next week, USF Sarasota-Manatee will offer preparatory classes for the American College Testing program, or ACT, a standardized test used in college admissions.

The campus will offer four ACT prep classes. The cost is $65 for the entire program, plus the cost of two books required for the course. The course dates are:

• Monday, June 18, from 1 to 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, June 20, from 1 to 4 p.m.
• Saturday, June 23, from 9 a.m. to noon.
• Tuesday, June 26, from 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information or to register, visit usfsm.edu/testprep.

USFSM professor, students invited to breakfast program

USFSM’s Dr. Jessica Grosholz and several students attended a breakfast Saturday to celebrate the Sarasota County Jail’s Recovery Pods.

The pods are a joint rehabilitative program of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and Salvation Army. Each year, officials hold a breakfast to recognize the program and individuals impacted by it.

Dr. Grosholz, an assistant professor of criminology, initiated a class project last fall involving the pods. She was asked to address the crowd, which included Sheriff Tom Knight, elected officials and representatives of the Sheriff’s Office and Salvation Army.

“To be included in this event validated our work and the partnership we had with the Salvation Army and Sarasota County Jail during the fall semester,” Dr. Grosholz said. “The event Saturday was really a celebration of the success of the recovering pods. There were people there who gave testimonials about the program’s success and others who did not speak but modeled the success of the program.”

Last fall, Dr. Grosholz brought students to observe the pods and make recommendations on possible future programming. One suggestion, based on music, was approved by the jail and implemented this spring. She plans to bring the class project back this fall.

Attending the breakfast with her were recent USFSM graduates Ashley Wichern, now a Sheriff’s Office employee, and Meghan Buckley. Current student Jeron Thomas also attended. The three were among the students who visited the pods last fall.

“As the students witnessed changes in the individuals going through the program, I saw changes happening with the students,” Dr. Grosholz said. “They became more open-minded, they matured and they became receptive to issues they once thought were far removed from their own personal experiences.

“In a sense, I saw them change their view of these men and women,” she said. “In the beginning they saw them as different, but at the end they saw them as individuals who were not unlike themselves, people who are capable of change given the right tools.”

USFSM regional chancellor appointed to Keypath board

Kudos to USFSM Regional Chancellor Dr. Karen Holbrook on her appointment to the board of Keypath Education, which provides high-quality online education.

Keypath has achieved tremendous growth over the past four years, adding more than 20 university partners to its online management portfolio. Appointed to the board with Dr. Holbrook was James H. Roth, the chief executive of Huron, a global higher education consultant.

“We are honored to welcome two outstanding new members, Dr. Karen Holbrook and Mr. James Roth, to our board of directors,” said Steve Fireng, chief executive officer of Keypath. “They bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to Keypath, and we are very fortunate to have their unique perspectives and input as we continue to sharpen our focus on providing access to exceptional education for students around the globe.”

Dr. Holbrook, former interim president of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and past president of The Ohio State University, has been elected to numerous leadership boards, councils and advisory boards during her career.

“I have learned over the years that quality education transcends geography,” she said. “Universities throughout the country and the world are working to advance business, science, arts and humanity. Keypath’s mission to connect best with institutions with hardworking, passionate students, no matter their physical location, is close to my heart.”

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