Dear Alumni, Friends, and Students,

I hope this newsletter finds you well and that your summer included moments of rest and joy with family and friends. As we begin a new academic year, I am delighted to share highlights from the past year and plans for what lies ahead.

The past year was one of momentum and progress. Our hospitality and tourism management program advanced in its pursuit of accreditation through the Accreditation Council on Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA), further strengthening our national reputation. In April 2025, we proudly hosted our 20th Student Enrichment Fundraiser, honoring Commissioner Mark Ezell of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. The event was a tremendous success, bringing together alumni, industry partners, faculty, staff, and students in support of our mission.

We are also pleased to welcome Ebony Robinson to our faculty. She will lead students in producing a fashion show, debuting April 24, 2026, as part of our 21st Annual Student Enrichment Fundraiser. Another exciting milestone ahead is our second biennial Blissful Wish Wedding in November 2025—a fully student-produced real wedding that offers unmatched experiential learning while creating a truly meaningful event.

Our department continues to grow in productivity. After back-to-back enrollment increases of 41% and 50%, growth tapered slightly this past year but still rose by 1.1%. Since 2022, we have achieved an overall 114% increase—clear evidence of our faculty’s dedication and the strong demand for the transformational experiences we deliver.

My goal as department head remains the same: to deliver unparalleled student experience through experiential learning opportunities while deepening our connections with the industries we serve. With the creativity and commitment of our faculty and staff, our students are well positioned to thrive in retail, hospitality, and tourism careers.

We would love to stay connected with you. Please share your updates with us by email (rhtm@utk.edu or jkwon7@utk.edu) or by completing our connection survey at this link (tiny.utk.edu/ConnectRHTM). We would be delighted to highlight alumni successes in future newsletters.

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another remarkable year together.

Go Vols!

Junehee Kwon, PhD
Professor and Department Head
Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management
University of Tennessee, Knoxville