Dr. Katherine Quinn | Social Sciences | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Katherine A. Quinn, Associate Professor in the Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, is an accomplished scholar and educator with expertise in organizational leadership, hospitality management, technology integration, and social sciences research. She earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership (2008) from UMES, an MBA in Finance (1992) from the University of Maryland, Smith School of Business, and a B.S. in Business Management, Cum Laude (1989), from the University of Maryland, College Park. Her professional career bridges both academia and industry, beginning with leadership roles at Hilton Hotels, Hampshire Towers Hotel, and MICROS Systems Inc., before transitioning into higher education, where she has served as Lecturer, Assistant Professor, and now Associate Professor. Dr. Quinn’s research interests encompass diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) needs assessment in higher education, generative AI and the Metaverse in travel and tourism, technology-enhanced learning, digital literacy, culturally responsive teaching, and student success factors such as grit and self-discipline in online education. She has published extensively in refereed journals such as Trends in Higher Education, Issues in Informing Science and Information Technology, Journal of Education and Human Development, and Journal of Foodservice Business Research, and presented her work at major international conferences including InSITE and ICAIRD. Her research skills are evidenced in survey design, mixed-methods assessment, technology adoption analysis, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, including her role as Co-PI in the Elkins Fellowships for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. Dr. Quinn’s honors include the 2019 Honors Teacher of the Year Award, induction into Phi Kappa Phi, and multiple awards for innovation and marketing during her industry career. With certifications such as Certified Hospitality Educator, Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics, and a Diversity and Inclusion Certificate, along with active memberships in ISI, ICHRIE, HFTP, and AHLA, she combines academic rigor with professional leadership. In conclusion, Dr. Quinn stands out as an influential researcher and educator whose interdisciplinary expertise, impactful publications, leadership in academia, and dedication to advancing equity and innovation in education and hospitality mark her as a deserving candidate for recognition and continued scholarly distinction.