FIYou: Miranda Kitterlin

Name:  Miranda Kitterlin, Ph.D.

Hometown:  Natchitoches, Louisiana

Job Title/Department:  Assistant Professor, Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management

Campus:  BBC

In a nutshell (what do you do in your position?):  My job duties fall into three categories: teaching, research and service.  I teach Organizational Behavior and Contemporary Issues in the master’s degree program, as well as study abroad courses in various destinations. My research focus includes organizational behavior issues, specifically employee substance abuse and sexual harassment. While I serve on several committees and advisory boards for both the university and the industry, my favorite component is being the faculty advisor for the FIU chapter of the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality.

Number of years at FIU:  I joined the FIU community in the fall of 2011.

What do you enjoy most about your job?  I am incredibly fortunate to have a passion for every component of my job, and it would be difficult to pick a favorite aspect. While I absolutely love conducting and dispersing research, I wake up every day looking forward to the teachable moments and classroom engagement.

What should faculty, staff and students know about the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism Management?  There are so many amazing things about the Chaplin School of Hospitality and Tourism management – I could write pages on this!  But the number one thing that comes to mind is how incredible our faculty are, and how much they genuinely care about the development of our students.  I have never seen a faculty body that goes above and beyond for student education and engagement the way our faculty members do here in the Chaplin School.

Where is your favorite spot on campus?  My favorite spot on campus is in the classroom.  Every session I definitely learn as much from my students as they learn from me.

What is one thing you wish everyone knew about FIU?  While many people are probably familiar with the TED Talks, it may not be as widely known that FIU hosts its own self-organized TEDx event, which is TEDxFIU.  Devoted to the communication of “ideas worth spreading,” these events often feature FIU alumni. This year, one of the speakers is an alumnus of the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

How do you help make FIU Worlds Ahead?  I strive for improvement, and consistently seek to keep my finger on the pulse of the hospitality and tourism industry in order to bring information into the classroom that is as current as possible. I try to take the same approach with my research agenda by having these two big questions direct all of my projects, “What does industry really care about?  What can I offer an industry professional that really makes a difference in the way they do business?”

Family snapshot: I was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana, but began moving all over the United States upon my 18^th birthday.  While living in Las Vegas, I met my now husband, and we have a very spoiled Dachshund.

First paying job:  My first paying job was as a waitress in a Chinese restaurant. I was 16, and I’ve been obsessed with the restaurant industry ever since.

Favorite TV show:  I am a self-admitted Bravo reality TV series junkie. I especially enjoy the Real Housewives of Atlanta.

What is playing on your iPod?  I listen to all music genres, but lately I’ve been listening to a lot of comedy radio. It makes South Florida traffic so much more tolerable.

Your proudest accomplishment:  Being recognized as a 2014 FIU Top Scholar was an amazing honor. However, I feel most proud and accomplished anytime I receive a complimentary course evaluation or a thank you note from a student.  I’m going to have to say that each and every student compliment is my proudest accomplishment.

What do you do when you are not working at FIU?  I like to travel as much as possible – I find it to be the best way to understand the world around you, and a must for hospitality and tourism professionals and educators.