Microsoft Word 2007 ichrie conference Proceedings Final-Final 06-06-07. doc

 
2007 Annual International CHRIE Conference & Exposition 
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side, the respondents believe that teaching experience is more important than research experience. This may 
illustrate that the respondents believe in the importance of providing a good education to the students before 
contributing research to the field and fulfilling requirements for their own personal career paths. 
CONCLUSION 
Many studies within hospitality and tourism education have primarily investigated faculty members and set 
administration aside (Woods, 1994; Wikof, 1997; Wachtel & Pavesic, 1983; Rutherford, 1982). The importance of 
understanding the nature of qualified hospitality and tourism education administrators, such as department heads, 
deans, and chairs has been shortsighted.
Those faculty and others who seek such a leadership position can learn from those who currently serve as 
directors, deans and department heads. First, gaining industry experience can prove invaluable for many reasons. 
Not only does one learn about the industry operations, but he/she can gain tremendous experience in managing 
people and developing problem solving skills when dealing with customers and employees alike. Second, gaining 
teaching experience is extremely important along the way to becoming an administrator. It is a way to learn what 
instructors have to do on a daily basis. Teaching also gives one the ability to think like a faculty member and 
therefore better appreciate a faculty member’s perspective when making important administrative decisions. Having 
been an instructor will be beneficial when guiding a new faculty member and when managing tenured faculty.
Teaching is also critical in developing communication, collaboration, and listening skills as well as deal 
with people who continuously ask questions. Most important, teaching helps one to learn the meaning of scholarship 
including engagement, discovery, integration as well as the essence of teaching and learning. Third, the respondents 
believed that serving on both industry and academic associations were important. This type of service helps to build 
networks and resources from outside the specific hospitality and tourism department. It helps a department head to 
develop an advisory board for their respective program and how they operate. Fourth, professional development 
activities are important to illustrate dedication to the department’s success and learning new skills to better perform 
the job. These activities may include course development workshops, conflict-resolution workshops, and/or 
performance evaluation workshops. Fifth, learning all one can about how the organization (academic institution) 
works will help make the organization work for him/her when they assume an important leadership position.
Reilly (1986) stated “the development, improvement, and success of an organization, [sic] is highly 
dependent upon, among other factors, effective leadership.” Hospitality and tourism education needs to meet the 
demands of a dynamic industry and changes in academia. These demands are not only met by faculty in the 
classroom, but also by administrators developing industry relationships, relevant curriculum and an overall effective 
program. To be successful, the head of a department must foster an environment of learning and engagement to meet 
the needs of today’s hospitality and tourism industry and for tomorrow’s hospitality graduates.