Alumni News

Rachel Rocha, MS ’23, is making an impact through the sports business industry. 
In the two years it took her to earn her master’s degree in sport business at the School of Sport Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM), she has worked with organizations in the NBA and NFL including the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Melvin Powell, BS ’13, is hosting Black Soul Summer, a coalition of African American and Latino curators that is producing a free community music series that highlights local vendors, local artists, performers, engaging art activations and wellness programming.

Tourism has long been regarded as an effective tool for addressing economic inequality. Governments invest in tourism in the hope that the benefits will trickle down to lower-income groups through the employment of local people and businesses.

For Honduran soccer management professional Juan Saybe, EMSSB ’22, graduating in December from Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) was not merely a milestone. It was practically miraculous.

Alumnus Sean McClatchy turned a conversation after class into a networking opportunity, ultimately landing a job at the Philadelphia Phillies that’s since led to a highly coveted position.

The Center for Hospitality Resilience’s brought students in as partners to serve the community through her capstone class in the Master in Hospitality Management program. Center Co-Director Dr. Ceridwyn King devised last fall’s version of the course to be a hands-on learning experience that lent post-pandemic support to a key industry partner.

We spoke recently with several who are working at Philly’s new Live! Casino & Hotel and Maestroe Sports & Entertainment, who were eager to share how their STHM experience has translated directly into a career opportunity that’s as exciting and it is valuable.

STHM hosted an inspiring in-person commencement ceremony for its graduates—one that was worthy of all they have accomplished as well as all they have overcome.

Kay Walten (MSTT ’20) was named the only U.S. finalist in an international competition on social entrepreneurship in travel.

Ameena Soliman (FOX ’17, STHM ’19) was one of two alumni honored this spring with a Young Alumni Diamond Excellence Award—just one of the ways that she stands out as an alumna as well as a scouting pro in the NFL. She has shown her leadership and accomplishments to be exceptional in numerous ways in the two years since she earned her master’s at STHM.