2021-2022 HSTM Newsletter
HSTM News
HSTM Moved to John Robert Lewis Hall
You can now find all of the HSTM faculty and staff on the 3rd Floor of John Robert Lewis Hall. We are excited to have all of our faculty and staff together in one location to better serve our students. HSTM also has a student lounge and study rooms available for the students to come together, work on projects, and socialize with one another. Ms. Morgan always makes sure it is decorated for the occasion and welcoming for everyone. The HSTM faculty welcome all present and former students to come visit us on the 3rd floor of JRLH.
HSTM Faculty Additions and Promotions
In August 2021, HSTM started the academic year by welcoming two new faculty members to the team: Drs. Christopher Corr and Harriet Dixon.
Dr. Christopher Corr has joined our team as an Assistant Professor of Sport Management.
He completed his Master's in Sport Management from the University of Florida and his
PhD. in Sport and Entertainment from the University of South Carolina. Dr. Corr has
a practitioners background in collegiate athletics and will bring a great deal of
relevant knowledge to our students. He will teach a variety of sport management classes
within HSTM with his primary teaching focus being on governance and policy, revenue
generation, and sport communication. Dr. Corr is originally from Jacksonville, FL
and enjoys watching college football and spending his free time with his family.
Dr. Harriet Dixon has joined the HSTM faculty as an Assistant Professor of Tourism.
Dr. Dixon earned her Master's in Recreation and Leisure Facilities and Services Administration
from Eastern Carolina University and her PhD. in Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management
from Clemson University. She will be teaching many different tourism and events courses
for HSTM with her main teaching focus being on sustainability, current issues, and
global tourism. Dr. Dixon has led several study abroad trips for HSTM in the past
and currently has a study abroad trip planned for Spain in March 2023. If you'd like
to be part of a study abroad experience, please reach out to Dr. Dixon by emailing
her at hedixon@troy.edu.
Dr. Christina Martin was promoted to the Director of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism
Management in August 2021. Dr. Martin will continue to teach courses throughout our
undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs as needed, but she will primarily be
responsible for leading our team and overseeing our programs. We are very excited
for Dr. Martin to take on this role and look forward to the progress we know she will
make for us. Some of her departmental goals include revising curriculum and increasing
enrollment numbers in all of our disciplines.
HSTM Faculty - Dr. Patrick Holladay Receives Chancellor's Award of Distinction for Sponsored Program Success
The Office of Sponsored Programs Chancellor’s Award of Distinction honors faculty
that have successfully competed for and won an external grant. All winners of external
grants are automatically considered but grants that range from the hundreds of thousands
to millions of dollars are generally the strongest competitors. There is a Sponsored
Programs Advisory Committee made up of faculty and staff who vote on the grantees.
The top-three with the most votes are then moved forward to Dr. Hawkins, who picks
the winner. The winner receives a trophy and a $1000 award at the annual Office of
Sponsored Programs luncheon.
I received the award based on my $300,000 grant entitled “Exploring Agritourism to Increase Agricultural Sustainability and Resilience in the Municipality of Utuado, Puerto Rico”. The purpose of this research is to determine whether and how agritourism can improve the quality of life, socioeconomic development, agricultural sustainability and resilience in the municipality of Utuado, Puerto Rico. This work is supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number LS20-339 through the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Congratulations, Dr. Holladay on your prestigious award!
Dr. Holladay (second from left) with community leaders, local stakeholders, and farmers from the grant project he received the award for.
HSTM Faculty Traveled Abroad to Teach in Vietnam
Six different HSTM faculty members: Drs. A. Dixon, H. Dixon, Holladay, Kim, Koo, and
Price-Howard all traveled at various times over the 2021-2022 academic year to Vietnam
to teach at our partner institutions. Through this partnership with universities in
Duy-Tan and Hanoi, those students are able to graduate with a Bachelor's of Science
Degree in Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management from ϱ. Courses
are taught in a blended format by ϱ professors and for two weeks out
of the semester, our professors will travel to Vietnam to teach these students in
a face-to-face environment. It is a great opportunity for both students and faculty
to learn. 
HSTM Doctoral Graduates
We would like to congratulate the following HSTM Sports Management Ph.D. graduates for defending their dissertation research during the 2021-2022 academic years. Additionally, thank you to our faculty for mentoring and serving on their dissertation committees.
Dr. Lucas Mashburn
Dissertation Title: EXAMINING THE SERVICE MARKETING AND FAN EXPERIENCE EXPECTATIONS OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL SPECTATORS BY SEATING AREA
Committee Members: Koo (Chair), Kim & Mathner
Current Position: Department Chair of Kinesiology/Georgia Highlands College
Dr. David Hodge
Dissertation Title: MOTIVATIONS OF COLLEGIATE STUDENT-ATHLETES TO PROTECT AGAINST COVID-19: AN APPLICATION OF PROTECTION MOTIVATION THEORY
Committee Members: Kim (Chair), Koo & Mathner
Current Position: Assistant Professor/Nichols College
Dr. Jeffrey Curto
Dissertation Title: ARE DIVISION I COLLEGE FOOTBALL STADIUMS PREPARED FOR AN ACTIVE SHOOTER INCIDENT? A THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF PREPAREDNESS
Committee Members: Drs. Martin (Chair), Goldsmith (Co. Chair), & Carroll
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Hiram College
Dr. Robert Itri
Dissertation Title: UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF TRAVEL SPORTS ON HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES’ PERCEPTIONS OF HIGH SCHOOL SPORT
Committee Members: Drs. Carroll (Chair), Koo & Martin
Current Position: Assistant Professor, McKendree University
Dr. Eric Kramer
Dissertation Title: I WANT TO TRANSFER, NOW WHAT? A COLLEGE CHOICE ANALYSIS OF NCAA DIVISION II TRANSFER STUDENT-ATHLETES
Committee Members: Drs. Michael Carroll (Chair), Martin & Mathner
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Illinois State University
Dr. Leah Brundidge
Dissertation Title: AN ILLUSTRATION OF HOPE: A LOOK INTO THE WORK EXPERIENCES FOR BLACK WOMEN IN DIVISION I
Committee Members: Drs. Michael Carroll (Chair), Goldsmith, Martin & Oshiro
Current Position: Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance, The University of Southern Mississippi
Dr. Steven Wieczorek
Dissertation Title: PREFERRED COACHING LEADERSHIP BEHAVIOR OF NCAA DIVISION I AND II MALE SOCCER STUDENT ATHLETES
Committee Members: Mathner (Chair), Carroll & Koo
Current Position: Head Men’s Soccer Coach, College of St. Rose
Dr. Kasey Spindler
Dissertation Title: TITLE IX COMPLIANCE: AN EXPLORATORY STUDY INVESTIGATING ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS’ UTILIZATION AND ASSESSMENT OF “OTHER BENEFITS”
Committee Members: Drs. Martin (Chair), Atwater & Sellars
Current Position: Teacher/Coach, MSD of Mt. Vernon
Dr. Kwangho Park
Dissertation Title: THE EFFECT OF PLAYING NARRATIVE SPORT VIDEO GAMES WITH FACE-SCANNING TECHNOLOGY ON SELF-PERCEPTION ALTERATION AND SPORT CONSUMPTION BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS
Committee Members: Drs. Koo (Chair), Kim & Martin
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Viterbo University
Dr. Caroline Fletcher
Dissertation Title: SHOOTING FOR EQUALITY: DIVISION II BASKETBALL COACHES’ PERCEPTIONS OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION
Committee Members: Drs. Carroll (Chair), Koo, Andrew Goldsmith, Sarah Stokowski
Current Position: Digital Medial Coordinator, Delta State University & Adjunct Instructor
Dr. Zack Mayo
Dissertation Title: EXAMINING STUDENT ATHLETE COLLEGE CHOICE FACTORS: AN EXPLANATION OF FAMILY STRUCTURE DIFFERENCES
Committee Members: Drs. Martin (Chair), Koo & Mathner
Current Position: Learning and Development Manager/Fanatics
Dr. Justin Kozubal
Dissertation Title: CRYING FOUL: AN EXAMINATION OF ORGANIZATIONAL SAFETY CONSTRAINTS AS A BARRIER TO ATTENDANCE
Committee: Drs. Carroll (Chair), Martin & Walton
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Capital University
Dr. Zack Vosen
Dissertation Title: INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ADMINISTRATORS’ PERCEPTIONS OF CONSUMER-BASED BRAND EQUITY AND ALCOHOL SALES DECISIONS
Committee Members: Drs. Kim (Chair), Koo & Martin
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Mississippi College
Dr. Mary Elizabeth Chambers
Dissertation Title: ORGANIZATIONAL CAPACITY DOMAINS OF UNITED STATES OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC NATIONAL GOVERNING BODIES IN THE UNITED STATES: AN INTEGRATED REVIEW AND FRAMEWORK
Committee Members: Drs. Koo (Chair), Martin & Esteves
Current Position: Assistant Professor, Pfeiffer University
Pictured above (L to R): School of HSTM Director, Dr. Christina Martin, Fall 2022 Ph.D. Graduates: Dr. Kasey Spindler, Dr. Kwangho Park, and SM Ph.D. Director, Dr. Win Koo
HSTM Degree Program Updates
For several years now, our undergraduate students have been graduating from our program with a BS in Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management with a specific concentration area. To simplify and help our students to become more marketable after graduation, we have separated our degree programs into two areas. Beginning in Fall 2023, students within the School of HSTM will declare their major as either BS-Sport Management or BS-Hospitality, Tourism, or Event Management (HTE). With the development of the new BS-HTE degree program, students will complete core classes related to HTE disciplines and then the remainder of required hours would consist of HTE based electives allowing students more autonomy and control over their educational choices. We are excited for these changes to take place in 2023 and hope that it will be a positive change for our program.
HSTM Advisory Board
In the Fall 2022 semester, an HSTM Advisory Board was assembled to assist with mentoring and guiding our students and faculty moving forward. The HSTM Advisory Board consists of alumni and industry partners working in businesses related to sport, tourism, and hospitality industries. The first individuals elected to serve on the HSTM Advisory Board are:
- Clint Free - 2016 Graduate of HSTM with a concentration in Sport Management, currently serving as the Executive Director of Common Ground ϱ.
- Alexis Garrett - 2020 HSTM graduate with a concentration in Sport Management, Leadership minor, currently serving as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Student Athlete Development at West Virginia University. She is currently pursuing her Master's in Sport Management at WVU.
- Daniel Hilton - Summer 2020 graduate from HSTM, currently working at Flamingo Crossings Village as a Resident Experience Specialist and in Passenger Services at Disney's Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort in Orlando, FL.
- Marsha Lacey - Adjunct professor for ϱ and Vice President of Human Resources for LBA Hospitality, a hotel management company that manages over 100 hotels in the Southeastern United States.
- Miller Morrison - 2016 HSTM Sport Management graduate, 2020 SCOB MBA graduate. Co-founder of Scott Morrison Roland Capital, LLC, a private equity firm focused on investing and consulting with small businesses in the Southeast.
- Mark Richard - with over 30 years of administrative experience in different positions within collegiate athletics, he currently is entering his 9th year as the Director of Athletics at the University of Montevallo.
- Patty Shaulis - HSTM graduate from our online program, currently serving as the Housekeeping Manager at Sandestin Investments in Miramar Beach, FL.
- Baylee Smith - Spring 2019 graduate from HSTM with a hospitality concentration. Currently Baylee serves as a Hub Manager for Landing rental company in Charlotte, NC.
We would like to extend a warm thank you to these individuals for donating their time to the School of HSTM. We are thrilled to have these successful professionals working with us to ensure that students graduating from the School of HSTM are prepared and ready to enter the workforce. Should any of our alumni or friends of HSTM that are industry professionals be interested in serving a term on our Advisory Board, please reach out to Dr. Robert Mathner to express interest.
HSTM Student Spotlight
Natascha Muniz, HSTM - Sport Management
Natascha Muniz is a current senior in the School of HSTM with a focus on sport management.
She did not originally come to ϱ to major in sport management but made
her way to us by way of education and journalism. Her favorite class in our program
was Leadership Principles because it allowed her to learn a lot about herself as an
individual and future leader. She also enjoyed taking Current Issues in Sport Management,
which discusses the relevancy of current events taking place within the sport world
both on and off the court. That class allowed for discussion and it was interesting
for her to hear her classmates' opinions about topics that at times were sensitive
in nature.
Some of Natascha's favorite professors at ϱ were Drs. Sellars, Green, and Corr. Those professors have grown, shaped, and taught her everything about the sports world and she is grateful for all of the HSTM professors she's had during her time at ϱ. Natascha's favorite project that she had to complete was her Senior Seminar project. This may be shocking to some but it was great for her to take everything she learned over the course of her degree program and present it back to the professors in a professional presentation. We are excited for Natascha to graduate in December 22 and we look forward to what her future holds.
Shayla Wilson, HSTM - Sport Management
Shayla is a Senior, HSTM student with a sport management concentration with a minor
in event management. Shayla grew up playing sports and always wanted to learn and
be on the administrative side of the sporting industry one day. When she was in high
school, she began planning different events and fell in love with that. The combination
of sports and event management were perfect for her. Her favorite class that she's
taken in the HSTM program was Event Planning and Operations and her favorite professors
have been Drs. Sellars, Corr, and Mathner. As stressful and the Senior Seminar project
was for Shayla, it was her favorite project to complete. Shayla has her own event
planning business and also serves as an intern for the Huntsville Havocs.
HSTM Events
HSTM Etiquette Luncheon
The School of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism has been responsible for several events this past year. One that has been a staple within our program is the HSTM Etiquette Luncheon. As part of the Event Planning and Operations class, students are expected to plan the Etiquette Luncheon for the students who are taking their Senior Seminar capstone course. The seminar students attend the luncheon in professional business attire and are taught the ins and outs of business etiquette and how to present themselves in a formal dining capacity. Both students and faculty alike enjoy the opportunity to participate in this event as students leave the event with a new or heightened skill set that will allow them to feel and act confident in more formal settings.
Sorrell College of Business Homecoming Tent
Since HSTM joined the Sorrell College of Business, our Festivals and Events Tourism
class has been responsible for planning and hosting the SCOB Homecoming Tent on Tailgate
Terrace during football season. This is a huge undertaking and responsibility and
we are very proud of our students for their efforts with this event. They do a great
job making it a family-friendly event for all faculty, staff, current and former SCOB
students, and university affiliates. Thank you to the many corporate sponsors we've
had donate to this event over the past two years - without your support, this event
would not be successful!
HSTM Summit
Each semester, the HSTM Summit is held to allow our senior students the opportunity to present their business plan projects. Their audience includes a panel of judges and their family and friends. For this assignment, the students work persistently throughout the semester with HSTM faculty and business consultants to develop a business plan with components focusing on facilities, finances, and marketing. To conclude their presentation, they give an overall sales pitch asking the "investors" for support of their business based on the information they have presented. The floor is then opened for a Q&A session to make sure the teams are well prepared and understand their business plan fully.
This is always a major event for the School of HSTM as all students are expected to attend, learn, and participate. The Event Planning and Operations class also is tasked with planning and setting up for the event. Congratulations to all the students who completed this class and are preparing for graduation. We are always proud and extremely impressed with HSTM students' projects.
FALL 2021 PRESENTATIONS:
- Huntsville Rockets
- Trojan Taps (Best Presentation)
- University of West Florida
SPRING 2022 PRESENTATIONS:
- Coastalesence Cinema
- FettiVent (1st Place - Best Presentation)
- Hidden Serenity
- Local NIL
- Mashville
- P1 Fun
- Park Events (3rd Place Presentation)
- Riding Dirty (2nd Place Presentation)
- The LuWa Center
FALL 2022 PRESENTATIONS:
- Coastal Rental Service
- Elite Rookies Gym (Best Presentation)
- Enterprise Sports Commission
- Toronto Crowns
Event management students responsible for planning our Senior Summit event in Spring 2022
Hunter teaching Dr. Mathner to tie a bowtie before Senior Summit presentations began
Proof that our students teach us just as much some days!
Drs. Anthony and Harriet Dixon traveling with students abroad to Rome and Italy
Dr. Corr with Sport Management PhD. students at the 2022 COSMA Conference in Houston, TX
HSTM Faculty and PhD. students attending the 2022 NASSM Conference in Atlanta, GA
2021-2022 Internship Placements:
Alexis Allen - Spectrum Resorts Beach Club
Amara Anderson - City of ϱ
Sidney Armstrong - FSU Softball
Lucas Bailey - Calhoun Community College
Quinest Bishop - ϱ Athletics, Football
Kyle Cornelius - Country Club of Mobile
Gabby Cossette - Formula One Grand Prix of Canada
Austin Criss - Grandslam Softball
Garrett Deaton - HJGT
Mike Dodwell - ϱ Athletics, Development
Gaines Downing - Mossy Pointe Schoolhouse Restaurant
Dylan Dixon - TSP
Andarius Fergerson - ϱ Athletics, Academic Advising
Graham Ferguson - Auburn High School
Maggie Folsom - Samford University Football
Paige Frey - Birmingham Barons
Cloe Griner - Horseshoe Bay Golf Club
Anastasia Khoklova - Birmingham Athletic Club
Jack Kyle - ϱ Athletics, Equipment
Hunter Lawrence - The Grand Hotel
Mackenzie Liles - House of Henry's Irish Pub
Zayvius Miller - ϱ Campus Recreation
McKenley Minacci - Tampa Bay Sports Commission
Myak Moktan - SunDestin by MyScenic Stays
Natascha Muniz - ϱ Athletics, Marketing
Zac Nixon - ϱ Campus Recreation
Kyle Parker - SunDestin by MyScenic Stays
Carson Purkapile - ϱ Athletics, Equipment
Trinity Price - ϱ Athletics, Compliance
Claudia Riley - Boathouse Field and Club
Isabel Robledo - JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort and Spa
Jalan Robinson - Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa
Zonghan Sai - SunDestin by MyScenic Stays
Coby Smith - ϱ Athletics, Marketing
Kathryn Smith - Alzheimer's Association of Alabama
Parker Trawick - Enterprise Tourism
Annilyn Warner - ϱ International Student Services
Devonte Williams - Hoover Parks and Recreation
Olivia Wright - ϱ Parks and Recreation
Siyu Zheng - Supu Jiang Hotel
HSTM Alumni Spotlight
Chandler Lowery - Account Executive, ϱ Sports Properties
Chandler Lowery graduated in Spring 2021 from HSTM and is currently working as an
Account Executive for ϱ Sports Properties in ϱ, Alabama. In this role is works
with the sale and activation of sponsorships with ϱ Athletics.
Prior to working with ϱ Athletics and ϱ Sports Properties, Chandler served as an Account Executive for the Rocket City Trash Pandas in Madison, Alabama. The skills and values taught within the School of HSTM not only helped him begin his career in the sports world but also helps him to continue excelling daily. Chandler noted, "it is truly awesome to be back in ϱ and make a difference at my alma mater. Go Trojans!".
Olivia Stewart - Conference Coordinator, Fullness of Truth Catholic Ministries
Olivia Stewart is a Spring 2022 graduate from HSTM with a concentration in hospitality management and minor in event management. In the spring semester of her graduation, she was awarded the Most Outstanding HSTM student at Honor's Convocation. Olivia was well-known to all professors for her positive attitude and willingness to tackle any task presented to her.
Since graduating from ϱ, she proclaims that "life is crazy, but the Lord is so good!". She is currently living in Houston, Texas with her dog, Molly. By day she works as a Conference Coordinator for Fullness of Truth Catholic Ministries. She is responsible for planning retreats and conferences throughout the state of Texas for the church. A typical day for Olivia consists of visiting venues, booking hotels and flights for keynote speakers, placing orders, and designing event schedules. She is responsible for hosting about 10 different events each year, with the largest being held in San Antonio with more than 5,000 attendees.
Trinity Price - Assistant Director of Compliance, ϱ Athletics
Trinity graduated from ϱ in May 2022. She is currently pursuing her
Master's degree in Sport Management in the School of HSTM, while also serving as the
Assistant Director of Compliance for ϱ Athletics. If Trinity had to
describe her job within a few short sentences, she states "...compliance deals with
everyone in an athletics department. I can come into the office and have an entire
day planned out, but once the coaches, staff, and student-athletes are in, my day
changes!" Trinity deals with all most all scholarship, eligibility, violations, regulation
changes, waivers, and anything involving the NCAA or Sun Belt Conference. She jokingly
states that "the compliance department is the paper pushers of athletics. All is well
when we are winning and the student athletes are eligible!".
Jared Dunn - Assistant Executive Director, Myrtle Beach Bowl
Jared graduated from the School of HSTM with a concentration in Sport Management and
minor in Leadership Development but stuck around to also earn his Master's in Public
Administration from ϱ in 2021 before venturing to Myrtle Beach, NC.
There he assumed the role of Assistant Executive Director of the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
His primary responsibility is providing the best experience possible to both fans
and participating institutions alike.
What is something you would tell an incoming HSTM student?
"Be open to new opportunities and gain as much experience as possible. ϱ Athletics is a great way to gain experience with many different volunteer opportunities. If sports are something you are wanting to get into, be open to gaining experience from each department. Network as much as you can. Building these relationships will help you make progress in your career path. Networking helps you strengthen connections, gain more knowledge, build confidence, and get career advice and support."
Who was the most influential professor to you?
"I had many great professors during my time at ϱ. Drs. Lewis, Martin, and Mathner each made an influential impact on me. I can't thank them enough for all they did. They made sure you weren't just a student on their roster, they made sure you excelled in the classroom and in life. I truly appreciate you and the time spent helping me on many occasions, I will never forget."
If you are an HSTM graduate, please let us know of your career updates by emailing Morgan Sims at masims@troy.edu.