Swathi Ravichandran is an associate professor and coordinator of the BS in hospitality management and MS in hospitality and tourism management degree programs at Kent State University (KSU) in Kent, OH. She received an MBA in marketing and a PhD in foodservice and lodging management from Iowa State University. In 2014, Ravichandran received the Distinguished Educator of the Year award from the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).  Following this recognition, she received a commendation from the Ohio Senate naming her one of “Ohio’s finest educators.” She teaches a variety of classes, including hospitality human resources management, hospitality legal issues, hospitality practicum and hospitality meetings management. Ravichandran currently serves as the Provost’s Fellow at Kent State University.