Betsy Barrett, Ph.D

Betsy Barrett, Ph.D, wears many hats. Betsy is an associate professor at Kansas State. Along with teaching undergraduate courses, she also teaches graduate courses in hospitality management and dietetics, directs the Didactic Program in Dietetics, advises 5 graduate students, 60 undergraduate Hospitality Management students, and 25 undergraduate dietetic students.

In addition to teaching and advising Betsy also conducts research and serves on several professional, university, college and departmental committees.

"I enjoy this job because it is varied; it certainly challenges me. I get to meet many different types of people, and I love working with the students. To see them succeed and grow is the biggest reward of all," she says.

Beginning her career as a dietitian, Betsy received her PhD in Hospitality Management at Kansas State University and began teaching hospitality and dietetic courses in the Department of Hospitality Management and Dietetics at K-State. When the school didn't have the funds to pay an adjunct professor to teach the Convention and Event Planning, Betsy stepped in.

"I asked to teach the course because many students are interested in this area and I thought we needed someone on the faculty to take ownership," she says.

Betsy became involved in PCMA as a faculty advisor when several students formed a PCMA student chapter at Kansas State. Her involvement in PCMA has helped her provide more varied experiences for her students, and become a better teacher in the process.

"This year, with the help of Kristen Kimbrel, CMP and a former student, we matched our Kansas State students with Heartland Chapter members who became their mentors," she says. "The students interviewed the mentors and amazingly some have stayed in contact with their mentors who are now assisting with interviewing skills and employment opportunities."

She encourages students to join PCMA, rather than purchase text books, so they can receive Convene and use the on-line materials, available to members only, as course resources and text.

Betsy encourages students to get as much experience as possible in lodging operations, banquets, and catering and to join a professional organization such as PCMA.

"After graduation, I recommend students start with a hotel job in sales or banquets and catering. Today, it is often difficult to find positions, so be willing to start at the bottom and work your way up. It doesn't take as long as you think if you are ambitious, hard working, and care about your job!!" she adds.