Dr. Melissa Varao
Director, Business and Economics
Contact Information:
Education:
Areas of Expertise:
My areas of expertise include high-impact and personalized service quality, customer experience, brand loyalty, sustainable tourism, tourism economics, event planning, and wine tourism. I earned my bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University, my master’s degree from the University of South Carolina, and my Ph.D. from Auburn University, all focused on hospitality, events, and tourism. Over the past 20 years, I’ve been involved in higher education and administration, teaching, managing programs, and building academic curricula in business, hospitality, and event production.
Professional Experience:
I am the Director and Department Chair for the Department of Business & Economics at Salve Regina University. I’m also an associate professor, wedding planner, and business owner.
My interest in ecotourism has led me to create and lead university courses on the subject in diverse ecosystems throughout the Amazon rain forest in Brazil and across Tanzania, Belize, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. I’ve also contributed to textbooks, journal articles, and media on wine tourism, sustainable tourism, service quality, and entrepreneurship. As a visiting professor, I’ve spoken on these topics across multiple universities in Italy and France.
Currently, I serve on the Boards of Directors for the Rhode Island Hospitality Education Foundation (RIHEF), the Greater Newport Chamber of Commerce (as Vice Chairman), and Discover Newport. Additionally, I am a Certified Professional in Catering and Events (CPCE) and have planned weddings throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Before completing my Ph.D., I was a wedding and special events coordinator at the Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte, N.C., where I discovered my passion for event production. Recently, I launched Aquidneck Events, a high-end wedding and special events venture serving Newport and Bristol Counties.
Personal Statement:
In my free time, I enjoy traveling, entertaining, watching football and baseball, and finding new places to share picnics with my family.