Dr. Radesh Palakurthi is the Professor and Dean, I.H.G. Chair of Excellence, at The Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management at the University of Memphis.

Dr. Palakurthi has immense experience in hospitality education and research and has a portfolio that includes, over one hundred academic publications and presentations, two book publications, several book chapters, and research grants from federal, State, and private agencies totaling over one million. He has received several Best Paper awards for his research and is routinely an invited speaker at professional conferences and seminars.  He has been a guest faculty at educational institutions in Europe, Carribian, Asia, and New Zealand. He has developed innovative curriculum and programs to expand the scope of hospitality education from high schools to graduate schools. He has taught courses covering diverse topics in hospitality management and research methods at major universities across the globe.  

Dr. Palakuthi serves or has served on the Educational Committees of professional organizations, including the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association (HospitalityTN), The American Resort Development Association (ARDA), the Scholarship Committee of the Metropolitan Memphis Hotel and Lodging Association (M.M.H.L.A.), and the Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Advisory Board of Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson (T.C.A.T.). He also is on the Tennessee Department of Education (T.D.O.E.) - Hospitality and Tourism Advisory Council. In addition, he serves on the Executive Advisory Board at the Kemmmons Wilson School and is an Advisory Board Member at Arkansas State University – Mid-South’s Hospitality Management Program.

He is the past Editor of the Journal of Global Business and Trade and serves on the editorial review boards of three reputed academic journals. The National Association of Concessionaires (N.A.C.) recently nominated him for the association’s Mickey Warner Award to recognize leadership and significant accomplishments in the non-movie concession industry.

Dr. Palakurthi graduated with a B.S. in Hospitality Management from Florida International University in Miami and an M.S. degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Administration from Purdue University. Then, with an eye on an academic career, Dr. Palakurthi ventured to The Pennsylvania State University and obtained a Ph.D. He also completed an M.B.A. at San Jose State University in C.A. He started his academic career as an Assistant Professor at the University of North Texas in Denton. He then transitioned to San Jose State University, where he became the youngest tenured Full Professor. His academic career includes other institutions such as Oklahoma State University, Drexel University, and a Visiting Professor appointment at The Wellington Institute of Technology in New Zealand.  He was awarded tenure with a full professorship at four major universities. 

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