Guest Lecturer + adjunct faculty + curriculum designer
Stephanie M. Jones, MBA works at the intersection of tourism, entrepreneurship, and supplier development, combining more than 25 years of industry experience with doctoral-level research to help students and hospitality & tourism entrepreneurs connect academic learning with real-world global industry opportunities.
WHAT DRIVES HER PASSION FOR EDUCATION
Academic & Student Engagement
Tourism Strategy & Market Readiness
Academic & Student Engagement
- Guest lectures and workshop facilitator for students and faculty
- Applied learning experiences in tourism and entrepreneurship
- Student mentoring and industry exposure
Curriculum & Learning Design
Tourism Strategy & Market Readiness
Academic & Student Engagement
- Development of hospitality and tourism and entrepreneurship-focused coursework
- Integration of applied, workforce-oriented learning models
- Alignment of curriculum with industry expectations and workforce needs
Tourism Strategy & Market Readiness
Tourism Strategy & Market Readiness
Tourism Strategy & Market Readiness
- SME development and positioning
- Equity alignment in global tourism systems and travel trade
- Inclusive CSR and ESG strategies for community-based tourism
Research & Collaboration
Tourism Strategy & Market Readiness
Tourism Strategy & Market Readiness
Stephanie's research focuses on:
- Tourism entrepreneurship and opportunity recognition
- Social sustainability in tourism development
- Expand access to academic mobility and academic tourism for Black doctoral professionals and scholars
about stephanie
Stephanie M. Jones, MBA is a tourism strategist, educator, and doctoral researcher specializing in entrepreneurial thinking, social sustainability, and global tourism development. She is the Managing Director of Disrupt for Change, a social enterprise focused on creating equity in education for hospitality and tourism entrepreneurs. In addition, she is the founder of innovative initiatives including the Diversity Tourism Academy and Black Doctorates Deployed in Destinations.
With over 25 years of experience across tourism, entrepreneurship, and supplier development, Stephanie brings a unique perspective that bridges academic theory with real-world application. She serves as Adjunct Faculty and a curriculum designer, developing hospitality & tourism and entrepreneurship-focused coursework grounded in applied, workforce-oriented learning.
Stephanie is a former two-term appointed member of the U.S. Department of Commerce's Travel & Tourism Advisory Board (2020-2024), and has been recognized as a 2024 Most Influential Women in Travel by TravelPulse. She has received numerous awards and honors as a leading sustainable tourism and cultural heritage tourism thought leader and innovator.
She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Innovation at Purdue University Global. Her MBA is from Florida International University, ranked No. 23 in the world in the 2026 QS World University Rankings.
Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.
Nelson Mandela
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