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STHM 2025:
Lead, Impact And Transform

Over the past two decades, Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) has earned a reputation as an educational leader in the industries we serve. This plan builds on the strong foundation we’ve built by focusing on the student experience, producing impactful research and fostering meaningful partnerships with industry.

Now more than ever there’s a need for those who are Temple Made and STHM Strong. This historic time—for the world, for our industries and for higher education—presents an unparalleled opportunity to leverage our strengths and insights in order to help our students as well as our industries thrive, as they overcome the challenges of today and tomorrow.

This plan is a living document—a tool we’re using to actively shape the next phase of the evolution of our school. It captures and redefines what distinguishes us—and articulates how we position ourselves, given the steep and winding path that lies ahead for all of us today.

Here are new ways to partner with the student body, our alumni, the faculty, staff and our many partners as we find new ways to live up to the promise of this plan. Together we can rise to the challenges of this exciting, if uncertain, time.

“We’ll expand our role as a leader and continue to be ambitious, determined and resilient—in new and crucial ways.”

You’re critical to all of our success to date and to us realizing the full potential of the vision this document lays out. Individually and collectively, we’re ready to launch the next phase of adventure for the school, which inspires so much pride in all of us.

Culture Statement

STHM students, staff and faculty from diverse backgrounds come together to create a welcoming and inclusive community focused on transforming individuals into influencers and leaders. Investing in those initiatives and activities that are innovative, entrepreneurial and represent the highest level of impact to all our stakeholders, we strive to create an environment known for its commitment to excellence, collegiality and collaboration. We are dedicated to the success of all members of the STHM community; a community that is strong, diverse, connected and proud.

Our Foundation Strategic Pillars

Develop structures and dedicate resources that advance impactful research to benefit the communities STHM serves.

  • Excellence in Translational Research
  • Research, Impact, Productivity & Culture

Respect the uniqueness of our stakeholders so we benefit from their rich and diverse perspectives and experiences.

  • Office Of Diversity Equity And Inclusion
  • Underrepresented Student Recruitment Retention
  • Workplace Culture
  • Diversity In Professional Recruitment
  • Employee Professional Development And Lifelong Learning

Create innovative academic experiences that meet industry needs and anticipate future trends.

  • Educational Innovation
  • International Programs
  • Enhancement Of Student Services

Identify opportunities to create meaningful collaborations that position the school as the partner of choice.

  • Partnership Development Programs
  • Industry Credentialing And Training Programs
  • Alumni Professional Development

Our Mission

To be globally recognized for developing leaders in sport, tourism and hospitality from diverse backgrounds, producing impactful research and advancing communities.

Our Vision

The inspiration and empowerment of people through transformational experiences.

STHM Values

STHM is guided by the following core values that reflect our existence within academia and industry. Our values serve as a clear message to our stakeholders that we are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in education, research and service.

  • Student-Centric
  • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Community Engagement
  • Innovation
  • Integrity
  • Empowerment

Key Initiatives

  • Alumni Professional Development
  • Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • Educational Innovation
  • Workplace Culture
  • Excellence in Translational Research
  • Industry Credentialing & Training Programs
  • Partnership Development Programs
  • Student Services Expansion
  • Research, Impact, Productivity & Culture
  • Employee Professional Development & Lifelong Learning
  • International Programs
  • Underrepresented Student Recruitment
  • Diversity in Professional Recruitment

Meet the Committee

We would like to recognize all of our Strategic Planning Committee members for their hard work and efforts in setting the path for STHM’s future and beyond.

  • Heather Blackburn

    School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

    Assistant Dean

    Assistant Professor of Instruction

    heather-blackburn

    Office Location

    Speakman Hall 109-C

    Direct

    215-204-4503

  • Debra Blair

    School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

    Professor of Instruction and Director of Organizational Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    debra-blair

    Office Location

    Speakman Hall 315

    Direct

    215-204-1077

  • Daniel Funk

    School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

    Professor

    daniel-funk

    Office Location

    Speakman Hall 300

    Direct

    215-204-1972

  • Gareth Jones

    School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

    Associate Professor and Director of the Sport Industry Research Center (SIRC)

    gareth-jones

    Office Location

    Speakman Hall 369

    Direct

    215-204-3554

  • Kristen Kuipers

    School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

    Marketing & Communications

    Director of Marketing and Communications

    kristen-kuipers

    Office Location

    1810 Liacouras Walk 251

    Direct

    215-204-0736

  • Thilo Kunkel

    School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

    Professor

    Thilo-Kunkel

    Office Location

    Speakman Hall 305

    Direct

    215-204-0307

  • Xiang (Robert) Li

    School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

    Professor

    Director of U.S. Asia Center for Tourism and Hospitality Research

    Office Location

    Speakman Hall 370/371

    Direct

    215-204-8784

  • Andrew Lovell

    School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

    Director Corporate Partnerships & Engagement

    andrew-lovell

    Office Location

    Speakman Hall 111-D

    Direct

    215-204-8795

  • Lu Lu

    School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

    Associate Professor

    dr.lu

    Office Location

    Speakman Hall 329

    Direct

    215-204-3019

  • Michael (Chihyung) Ok

    School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

    Associate Professor

    Director of PhD Programs

    michael-ok

    Office Location

    Speakman Hall 331

    Direct

    215-204-0361

  • Richard Ridall

    School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

    Professor of Instruction

    Executive Director of Industry Relations

    rick-ridall

    Office Location

    Speakman Hall 311

    Direct

    215-204-1396

  • Yang Yang

    School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management

    Interim Chair and Professor and Executive Director of U.S. – Asia Center for Tourism & Hospitality Research

    yang-yang

    Office Location

    Speakman Hall 322

    Direct

    215-204-5030

Get Involved

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None of this would have been possible without our faculty, staff, students, alumni, industry partners and community.