Two faculty members in the School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State were acknowledged at a recognition ceremony and dinner honoring those promoted to the rank of associate professor with tenure.
Dr. JaeMin Cha (MS ’98) and Dr. SeungHyun (James) Kim were promoted to associate professor last summer, and were among 51 others across campus honored at the event on Monday, October 13, 2014 at Kellogg Hotel Conference Center on campus.
Promotion to the rank of associate professor with tenure involves “a rigorous review of your scholarly activities and professional accomplishments by peers and colleagues both in and outside the University,” according to Provost and Executive Vice President June Youatt. The dinner and ceremony included Provost Youatt and President Lou Anna K. Simon. Attending with Drs. Cha and Kim were Acting Dean of the Broad College of Business Sanjay Gupta and Acting Director of the School Bonnie Knutson.
“Both of these professors exemplify the excellence in teaching and research we strive for in the School,” says Dr. Knutson. “They relate to our students very effectively and their dedication to our School is above and beyond the call of duty. Their presence on our faculty makes us all better.”
It should be noted that Drs. Cha and Kim are not only both members of the School’s faculty, but they are also married to each other and have two young daughters.
Dr. Cha teaches foodservice management in the School. Her research currently focuses on the service climate in foodservice operations, sustainability, food safety, and emotional intelligence. Her research has been published in both academic and industry journals, including the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, International Journal of Hospitality Management, and Cornell Quarterly. Her collaborative handwashing study has been covered widely in the numerous media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, CNN, and U.S. News & World Report, as well as many other media outlets in the U.S. and other countries. She has taught food safety to more than 2,500 undergraduate students for the last six years in the School. Dr. Cha is faculty advisor to Eta Sigma Delta, the hospitality management honor society at MSU which has earned the “Chapter of Distinction” award the past two years.
Dr. Kim teaches HB 473 – Hospitality Industry Research and HB 885 – Hospitality Business Research in the School. He specializes in hospitality marketing, research methods, and service leadership. His expertise in research techniques comes in part from his extensive international work experience. Dr. Kim regularly collaborates with other MSU and School faculty in research projects and executive development programs, and his work has been published in top-tier refereed journals such as Cornell Quarterly, International Journal of Hospitality Management, and the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research. Dr. Kim was the chair of the paper review committee for the 2014 KAHTEA Conference.
Drs. Cha and Kim each supervised three Undergraduate Research Fellows in the Broad College of Business in the 2013-2014 academic year, and earned Broad College summer research grants in 2014. Both serve on the School’s very active Scholarship Committee, and both regularly present their research at academic conferences such as the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education.
“Dr. Cha and Dr. Kim are already highly regarded in the international hospitality academy,” says Dr. Knutson. We look forward to many years of their continued excellence in teaching and research.” Congratulations to both.
