Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management Senior Seminar Fall 2016—Volume 1. Issue 1

THE AFFILIATE About Us

Our mission at Montague, Ridall, Blackburn & Associates (MRBA) is to develop current seniors in the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, so that they have the capabilities and qualities most desired by those in their respective industries. By exposing associates to a real-world business environment, and with the guidance of proven professionals, MRBA is constantly pushing forth the next generation of young business professionals.

WHAT’S THE HYPE?

Professional. Personal. Dependable. Accountable. Adaptable.

These are the things that define what Senior Seminar is about. The Table of Contents

School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) requires students to take Senior Seminar during their last semester before senior internships begin. Students are challenged to face Page 1: What’s the Hype? their fears, take risks, and dig deeper than any other time in college. The goal is to send students off feeling more prepared to Page 2: Meet the Presidents enter the workforce. Students spend time preparing for the STHM career fair, planning Page 3: Introducing Dean an end of the semester formal, putting together an alumni panel, marketing events and fundraisers, and even publishing five Blackburn newsletters (the one you are reading!) The course teaches student that it takes more than just hard work to succeed in the real world. Page 4: Current Issues This semester the association has added a new face, Assistant Dean Blackburn, who has recently taken the new position over the Page 5: Voting in the summer of 2016. We would like to welcome her to Temple and the association! Upcoming Election Page 6 & 7: Stories from Abroad Page 8: Events in Philadelphia!

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MEET THE PRESIDENTS

MARIA LODGE CHARLOTTE MCDOUGALL OREOLUWA ADENIYI President of Section 1 President of Section 2 President of Section 3

Seems like yesterday when I was As a senior at Temple University I was not always a tourism and selected as President of Section 1. I am majoring in tourism and hospitality management major. In I came into the office that day hospitality management and have fact, I started my university prepared to be the vice president declared a concentration in career studying for a degree in and so I never saw it coming— hospitality operations. My computer science. It was not until my heart almost jumped out of my industry experience thus far I had transferred into STHM that mouth! I work with fifty-one very includes my junior internship I realized it was where I needed to talented and distinguished with Hotel Hershey where I be. Being in the tourism and associates, so you can imagine the worked as a housekeeping hospitality industry has allowed quality of work that’s going to be supervisor and my current job at me to meet people and form done. I am excited to see our hard ROOST apartment hotel where I meaningful relationships, and work pay off, and how each work as a front desk agent. My broaden my horizon. As a young associate develops as a internship at Hotel Hershey led child, I was taught to have big professional. On a personal note, me to realize the kind of job I dreams and to see them through. my great passion is to inspire would like to pursue in the future. In my adolescent years, I learned others and to contribute my quota I am most interested in working that with the right group of to the society in any way possible. in luxury hotels or resorts in people and a solid network those My favorite sports are soccer and either guest relations or sales. I dreams are even more attainable. I tennis, and I play both. I love believe that the hospitality am not afraid to ask questions and hanging out with friends and industry is a good fit for me I treat people how I would like meeting new people. Speaking because I am passionate about myself to be treated. I aspire to be about new things, I have begun to providing excellent customer a hotelier and a leader, to live a read to broaden my mind and I service to guests and creating full and happy life while helping employ you to do same. memorable experiences. others do the same.

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Introducing…

Dr. Heather Blackburn

Dr. Heather Blackburn joins the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) as the school’s Assistant Dean. She also shares an appointment as Assistant Professor of Instruction in Sport and Recreation Management where she is teaching the STHM Senior Professional Development Seminar course. Most recently, Dr. Blackburn served as Director of Student Services and Administration of Drexel University’s Center for Hospitality and Sport Management, where she supervised the center’s academic advising services and staff, led the center’s new-student initiatives, and managed academic and financial aid appeals. Additionally, she oversaw the department’s budget, directed the center’s curriculum committee, and on- boarded new adjunct faculty while at Drexel. In addition to her decade plus experience at Drexel, Dr. Blackburn also worked in admissions and financial aid counseling at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Dr. Blackburn’s experience also includes a stint in the corporate, eBusiness world with a start-up company known as Elemica Inc. While at Elemica, she managed training and education for the company’s clients and online tools suite. Dr. Blackburn earned her Ed.D. in education leadership and management with a concentration in higher education, from Drexel University. She attained her Master of Science degree in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Lehigh University. As a former Division I athlete, Dr. Blackburn continues to pursue competitive and recreational endeavors. She recently completed the Boston Marathon in April 2016 and climbed her first Colorado ‘14er, Pikes Peak in June 2016 while previously summiting Mt. Rainier in 2012. Dr. Blackburn is a native of Southeastern Pennsylvania having grown up in Skippack Township in Montgomery County. She currently resides in West Chester, PA with her husband, David.

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The Merge: Creating the Biggest Airline Carrier Contributed by: AJ Russo (Global Cultural Awareness Committee, Section 1)

American Airlines (AA) and US Airways announced in 2013 that they would merge together right after AA purchased US Airlines for $11 billion. This process has been 3 years in the making and will continue for at least another year. The most important phase of this merge has taken effect on September 30th, 2016. This phase was the creation of bringing AA and US Airways carriers together under one umbrella to create a single flight-operating system. The Chief Information Officer, Maya Leibman said to Chicago Tribune, “American has been planning the move for months and they are confident in The old US Airways Carrier plane (left) and the the smooth transition in this phase”. If there were any glitches, AA would be new current American Airlines (right) prepared to handle them immediately. The system is crucial to AA because it Courtesy of American Airlines will join the pilot’s schedules and all of the plans together to allow pilots to now officially be able to fly AA aircrafts, in addition to once known US aircrafts. The system will also cover functions that will not just handle crew scheduling but also weight-and-balance calculations before takeoff and flight plans. Additionally, to the merging of the operating system they will merge the rewards programs for frequent flyer members. Frequent flyer members participate in a program that is offered through the airlines where individuals are able to earn points every time they fly and as points are collected they are able to gain privileges such as, free upgrades on flights, free flights, and many other options. The merge of these two frequent flier mile clubs give members access to use points to book flights with AA and also US Airlines. These are just two recent changes that are building up to the completion of this merge, which is scheduled to be finished in 2017.

Russia Doping Scandal Contributed by: Patrick McMullen (Fundraising Committee, Section 2) Performance enhancing drugs have been a huge problem in sports, especially within the past twenty years. When certain athletes use illegal substances to improve recovery time, it creates an unfair competitive environment for the athletes that decide to follow the rules. Russia was found to cover up hundreds of doping cases over a majority of Olympic and Paralympic events and most recently at the 2014 Winter games in Sochi. Following the release of the McLaren Report, The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) decided to crack down on Russia and suspend them for not only the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro but also the 2018 Winter games in PyeongChang. The significance of this decision by the IPC is that they set a precedent for the future of Paralympic sports. They are setting a zero tolerance policy for the use of performance enhancing drugs by banning the entire country from competition if athletes are found to have interfered with the results. Russia is upset that not just the athletes who failed and tampered their drug tests but all of their 267 athletes are banned from competition. The IPC made it clear that they will suspend all of them because of their countries’ actions, not just the select individuals who decided to use performance enhancing drugs. The one problem that still remains is that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided against the IPC and will not ban Russia from the upcoming Olympic Games. Their decision to not take action could start some controversy and cause backlash from countries that are playing by the rules. It also has the potential to allow countries that have cheated before to continue to cheat because they do not have any fear of punishment by the IOC. Following the decision, the International Paralympic Committee decided to send a strong message to Russia and other countries about cheating while the International Olympic Committee decided to do nothing. It will be interesting to see the effect of these decisions moving An athlete walking into doping testing center forward in future Olympic games. during the 2014 Sochi Olympics Courtesy of Lee Jin-Man

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Contributed by: Jack Jones (Global Cultural Awareness Committee, Section 3) 2016 ELECTION: TRUMP vs. CLINTON illennials are facing a time where the middle class is shrinking, gaps between wages and productivity is growing, and college diplomas are losing value. The lowest-income class is now 20% of the population - 4% higher than 30 years ago. The amount of citizens with a college degree is up 24% since 1973. It is said that a president’s Mdecisions cannot be judged until at least 10 years after their presidency. When either Trump or Clinton are at this judgement period, millennials will be at the peak of their income and spending power. This election is the first for a generation that will have direct impacts on their economic lives and well-being. Consequently, voting in this monumental election has never been more important for millennials.

A BREAKDOWN ON TAXES... TRUMP plans to cut income and corporate CLINTON believes taxing the wealthiest of the taxes at the top to create a trickle-down United States will provide immediate federal economic effect. The trickle-down economic revenue that can be dispersed at the federal theory states that money will flow from the government’s discretion. Clinton’s proposed plan upper class to the lower class and that each for the tax code is to impose a 4% “Fair Share economic class is effected by the class above it. Surcharge” on the 1% of taxpayers making more This proposed solution to our already high risk than $5 million per year. Another initiative Clinton economy would result in an initial impact to has suggested is to close loopholes that allow federal revenue. Federal revenue would successful businessmen to move revenue to differ- decrease anywhere from $5.9 trillion to $4.4 ent sectors of their business. For example, the trillion. After this hit, the new tax code would “Bermuda reinsurance loophole” allows money reduce cost of capital and marginal tax rates managers to move money into offshore business leading to a sustainable increase in GDP, accounts in order to avoid the taxes that would be wages, and full-time equivalent jobs. placed on the income in the United States.

How Will This Impact The Sport and Tourism Industries? A majority of the jobs available to graduates and millennials are offered by large corporations. Collegiate sports, professional sports, and hotel corporations are multimillion and multibillion dollar companies that have a large impact on the United States’ GDP and employment rates and wages. Increasing tax rates and fees on these major companies does not allow for growth and more jobs. Rather, it calls for tighter budgets and less expendable income. Millennials are facing a time where the middle class is shrinking, gaps between wages and productivity is growing, and college diplomas are losing value.

ELECTION DAY: Tuesday, November 8th

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Contributed by: Ruixiang Li (Corporate Social Responsibility Committee, Section 1)

Associate Spotlight: Associate Spotlight: Ruixiang Li, CSR Committee, Section 1 Born and raised in China, Ruixiang Li hopes to dedicate his future Internship Abroad career to China’s tourism industry. China has become a burgeoning tourism destination, which encouraged Ruixiang to complete his junior internship in Tianjin, one of the most populated cities in China. The distinct culture of China significantly differentiates this internship experience from others, since customers in China possess different values, perceptions, and expectations from the ones of customers in the United States. Ruixiang, after merging into two totally different working environments, has some thoughts he’d like to share. Tell us about a typical day at your internship. I interned with The Westin Tianjin as a concierge. My daily tasks included greeting all arriving and departing guests with a smile and eye contact, delivering and collecting baggage for guests and groups, etc. My job entailed good communication skills, due to the Courtesy of Ruixiang Li large number of customer questions I needed to answer. I worked with the entire front office team, attempting to positively shape the first impression of the hotel in the customers’ mind. What are the major differences between working in the hotel industry in the US and in China? Culture, definitely! Every country has a unique culture that sets itself apart from others. China, as one of the powerhouses in the world, has a rather distinguished culture that could affect the hotel industry. In the United States, hotel employees and customers establish almost an equal relationship where employees could treat customers as their “friends.” However, in China, to a large extent, the hotel staff is deemed to be inferior by the customers. In China, people hold service staff in low esteem. Moreover, most of the Chinese are class-conscious. Therefore, there is an invisible “line” between hotel customers and employees in China. The hotel employees could not step out of the “line;” otherwise, the customers may feel uncomfortable. That is also the reason why the hospitality industry in China puts a high value on excessive courtesy and respect towards the customers. Under this situation, it is challenging for me to treat the Chinese customers the same as the American customers. What advice would you give to your peers? No matter in which country, employees in the hospitality industry are bound to interact with customers from different cultural backgrounds, especially in the era of globalization right now. Being American-centric in the Chinese hospitality industry may lead to some shortsighted decisions. Consequently, we must attempt to be more adaptable and flexible to diverse cultures. We need to employ multiple perspectives that require us to encompass multiple and heterogeneous viewpoints.

 Chinese customers do not tip the service staff.  Other than Mandarin and Cantonese, there are many different dialects spoken in China, such as Xiang, Minbei, Minnan, Hakka, and Gan.  In Chinese culture, being too physically close to others, even your friends, could be impolite.  Seniority is fully revered, whether in the workplace or in the daily life.  Territorial issue between China and Taiwan is sensitive to be talked about.  Family structure of Chinese families may change, as the single-child policy has been relaxed recently.

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Associate Spotlight: Study Abroad

most influential and memorable times of possible upcoming attack site. Being in my life. Unfortunately, when I was abroad Rome during this time was terrifying, I there was a major terrorist attack in remember seeing men armed with Europe. This attack heavily influenced my machine guns on the subway, soldiers experience abroad and how I view the guarding the Vatican, being warned of travel and tourism industry. taking any form of public transit, and to stay away from all heavy tourist locations. On November 13 in Paris, France A trip that was planned for my class to multiple gunman and bombers travel to Berlin, Germany was cancelled simultaneously attacked a major soccer because of the attacks along with stadium, multiple bars, and a concert hall. numerous other students’ trips to France These attacks left 130 people dead and and other countries in Europe. hundreds of others wounded. In light of these attacks, Europe took precautionary I was able to experience first hand how Courtesy of Luisa Klemm measures for future attacks and responded one event can have such an impact on the Associate Spotlight: Luisa to travelers’ concerns immediately by entire tourism industry. Due to the Paris shutting down flights and putting France attack, flights were cancelled, hotels had Klemm, Project Committee, on lockdown. I was in Paris less than 3 empty rooms, and travelers decided to Section 1 weeks prior to the attack, which made me stay put out of fear. Being a tourist during feel a strong connection to what had the attacks, I knew exactly how travelers Despite the major increase of terroristic happened there. felt and how unappealing travel was at attacks, millennials have maintained their the time. Current events are key to the After the events, ISIS, a terrorist interest in international travel. During tourism industry, and staying informed is organization, claimed affiliation with the the fall of 2015, I studied abroad in Rome, essential to combat issues. Italy. My time abroad was one of the attacks, and threatened that Rome was a

Associate Spotlight: Patrick the month that this program took place, within the city of Groningen. Groningen Sims, Quality Control Chair, three days out of the week were set as is known as the bicycle capital of the excursion days where we traveled around world, as about 75% of the citizens use a Section 2 the country and experienced different bike as their main mode of This past summer, I had the privilege to methods of spatial planning amongst the transportation. This study abroad study abroad at the University of metropolitan areas of the experience was life changing and I can’t Groningen in Groningen, Netherlands. The other two days were wait to go back. Netherlands. This program ran by CIEE, dedicated to the classroom where we a non-profit organization that promotes discussed our observations about the city international education, was dedicated to planning and methods of these specific geography, urban studies, and spatial cities. We were based in Groningen, planning within the country. Overall, this which is located in the north of the program was named the “Dutch Netherlands, but traveled to all the major Experience”. Within the program, the cities located in central and south main objectives were to understand how Netherlands, such as; Amsterdam, the Dutch deal with the economic, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht. environmental, and settlement changes in The final group project encouraged us to a world with increasing levels of research topics regarding spatial planning globalization. This course was different to and geography or urban studies. My the traditional university classes that we group and I decided to complete our all know and are comfortable taking. In project on bicycle parking infrastructure Courtesy of Patrick Sims

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 10/21 10/22 Harry Potter STHM Festival Senior

Seminar Harvest Fest Location: Location: TBD Chestnut Hill (5-9pm)

10/23 10/24 10/25 10/26 10/27 10/28 10/29 Philadelphia STHM Autumn’s STHM Pumpkin STHM South Film Festival Business Card Colors Powder Puff Land Halloween Street Location: Fundraiser Football Dodgeball Pumpkin Ritz Five & & Tournament Fest Prince Theater Location: Location: Lee’s Hoagies Location: Location: Pearson Location: All Week Speakman Longwood Fundraiser Linvilla Gym 145 South Street Hall (10/24- Gardens (9-6pm) Orchards (6-9pm) (12-5pm) 28;10-1pm) (8-8pm)

10/30 10/31 11/1 11/2 11/3 11/4 11/5 Head of the HALLOWEEN Weekly Magic in the Weekly History of Apple Schuylkill Science STHM Ancient World STHM The American Festival Regatta After Hours Food Sale Food Sale Flag

Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Location: Schuylkill River The Franklin Speakman Hall The Penn Speakman Hall Mercer Peddler’s (8-4pm) Institute (12-2pm) Museum (12-2pm) Museum Village (7-10pm) (10-8pm) (10-5pm) (10-6pm)

11/6 11/7 11/8 11/9 11/10 11/11 11/12 Pay What You Philadelphia ELECTION DAY Senior Seminar Philadelphia Fidlar, Wish Eagles VIP Headed to the CAREER Asian SWMRS, The Stadium Tour White House American Veterans Frights Location: Location: FAIR Film Festival Concert Location: Head House The National Location: Location: Day Location: The Philadelphia Plaza at Lincoln Constitution Mitten Hall Citywide Union Museum of Art Financial Field Center (9am– 12pm) All Week Transfer (10-5pm) (@2:00pm) (9:30-5pm) (@8:30pm)

Created by the Newsletter Committee Please direct any questions/comments to [email protected] Want to learn more about MRB & Associates? Visit our website at http://sthmseniorseminar.com/2016/fall

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