The Job of Department Chair at America's Chrie Member Hospitality and Tourism Programs: The Nature of the Person and the Position

Abstract

Self-report data were analyzed from 175 department chairs running Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education member hospitality and tourism programs in America to understand the nature of their job, perceptions of future trends in hospitality and tourism education, and demographics. Respondents spent greater percentages of their workweeks in teaching-related and departmental administrative roles than in research-related roles by a ratio of 7:1. Technology, distance learning, and senior living turned up as the three factors that would most likely have an impact on hospitality and tourism education in the future. A majority of respondents were Caucasian, middle-aged men with industry experience who had earned master's degrees. Most had been chairs for over 7 years at public, non-land grant, 4-year programs.