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Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Sport Management and Hospitality & Tourism Management

 

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The WCU School of Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Sport Management, and Hospitality & Tourism Management prepares students for successful careers by providing vibrant instruction and an innovative curriculum that incorporates both business fundamentals and the current trends in today’s business environment.  Our programs are designed to give students the knowledge, skills, experience, resources, and opportunities they need to become industry professionals in a variety of career fields.

The WCU School of Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Sport Management, and Hospitality & Tourism Management offers:

  • A faculty devoted to sharing cutting-edge research and knowledge on up-to-date trends in their respective fields
  • A diverse, interdisciplinary curriculum that utilizes hands-on, real-world coursework
  • Internship opportunities for real-world experience and a firsthand view of business operations

The School of Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Sport Management, and Hospitality & Tourism Management offers engaging and dynamic programs for department majors and other students interested in augmenting their studies.

The curriculum focuses on the development of critical thinking and decision-making abilities along with hands-on experience to help prepare students for the challenges they will face in a wide variety of careers.

Entrepreneurship: Pursue a BSE in Entrepreneurship or a BSBA with an Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship major for a range of career opportunities in business creation and development. A minor in entrepreneurship is also offered for both business and non-business majors.

Hospitality & Tourism Management: Pursue a B.S.B.A. in Hospitality & Tourism Management (HTM) for a career path ranging from hotel and restaurant management to tourism development. A minor in Hospitality and Tourism Management is also offered.

Sales & Marketing: Pursue a B.S.B.A. in Marketing for career opportunities from public relations to sales management. A minor in Marketing is also offered.

Sport Management: Pursue a B.S.B.A. in Sport Management for career opportunities in the sport industry, ranging from recreational sports to college and professional sports.  A minor in Sprort Management is also offered.

Master of Entrepreneurship in Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship (M.E.I.L.E.): Our Master of Innovation Leadership and Entrepreneurship program was designed by seasoned entrepreneurs for entrepreneurs. Our highly qualified faculty deliver an integrated curriculum focused on practical applications of entrepreneurial and innovation concepts and skills. Taught completely online, our program allows students to continue working while pursuing their degree.

Master of Science in Sport Management (M.S.S.M): Whether you are already working in the sport industry or you are seeking to launch a new career, our degree is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the business of sports.  You'll learn how to administer programs, manage people and organizations, and plan and execute special and ongoing projects. 

Mission Statement

The mission of the School of Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Sport Management and Hospitality & Tourism Management of the College of Business at WCU is to produce distinctive Business Ready® graduates with outstanding leadership potential through a curriculum emphasizing active learning involving academic studies enhanced by practical experience gained from engagement opportunities with businesses, and economic and community development agencies in the region and beyond. 

Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Sport Management, and Hospitality & Tourism Management Faculty

Dr. Charles Parrish

Associate Professor

Ph.D., Sport Management, Director School of Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Sport Management and Hospitality and Tourism Management

Kia Alimohammadironkni

Assistant Instructor

Ph.D., Hosptiality & Tourism Management

Janice Black

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Entrepreneurship

Dan Bradbury

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Sales & Marketing

James Busbin

Professor

Ph.D., Sales & Marketing

Julie Johnson-Busbin

Professor

Ph.D., Sales & Marketing

Wendy Cagle

Associate Instructor

MBA., Entrepreneurship

Ethan Cheng

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Hospitality & Tourism Management

Bethany Davidson

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Entrepreneurship

James DeConinck

Professor

Ph.D., Sales & Marketing

Mary Beth DeConinck

Associate Instructor

MBA, Sales & Marketing

Heidi Grappendorf

Professor

Ph.D., Sport Management;

A.J. Grube

Professor

Ph.D., Sport Management; Dean, College of Business

Ali Iskender

Associate Instructor

Ph.D., Hospitality & Tourism Management

Robert Lahm

Professor

Ph.D., Entrepreneurship

Kadence Otto

Professor

Ph.D., Sport Management

Lane Perry

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Entrepreneurship

Scott Rader

Associate Professor

Ph.D., Sales & Marketing

Erica Thompson

Assistant Instructor

M.S., Sport Management

Brian Whelan

Assistant Professor

D.B.A., Marketing

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