Ahmet Hacikara, Ph.D.

Education

• B.S., Hospitality and Tourism Management, Virginia Tech, 2004
• MSBA, Business Administration, Virginia Tech, 2018
• Ph.D., Hospitality Management, University of Central Florida, 2024

Teaching Philosophy

Engagement, innovation, and relevance best describe my teaching philosophy. I foster an interactive and enthusiastic classroom environment to actively engage students, employing diverse teaching methods that encourage application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. To enhance learning, I integrate emerging technologies, creating an innovative space where students develop the skills to harness advanced tools, solve complex problems, and anticipate future trends. By demonstrating real-world applications within the hospitality industry, I enrich students' learning experiences with creativity, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving. Ultimately, I emphasize the relevance of learning by connecting new information to prior knowledge, increasing engagement and motivation. Assignments and discussions incorporate practical applications, allowing students to explore creative solutions and understand the role of technology in customer service and operational efficiency.

Research

I utilize a holistic research approach, integrating diverse disciplines and perspectives to gain a deeper understanding of contemporary phenomena. This multifaceted approach allows me to examine technology adoption at both the individual and organizational levels, capturing its complexities from multiple vantage points. I focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and human-robot interactions (HRI) in hospitality, tourism, and education. These focus areas are increasingly relevant as progress in information technologies (ITs), increased computing power, big data, and evolving customer/traveler expectations drive the adoption of advanced technologies within hospitality and tourism organizations.

Biography

Born and raised in İzmir, Turkey, I developed a passion for hospitality and tourism while working in resort towns along the Aegean coast in the late 1990s. Interacting with people from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds deepened my interest in the industry, motivating me to pursue a degree in hospitality and tourism at Virginia Tech. After graduating in 2004, I held several executive-level positions in prominent hospitality organizations across the U.S. and Europe, including Marriott International, Hyatt Hotels, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kempinski Hotels, and Omni Hotels & Resorts. Throughout my career, I have worked with individuals from various cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds and mentored aspiring hospitality professionals worldwide.

In 2016, I returned to Virginia Tech to pursue an MSBA with a concentration in Hospitality and Tourism Management. After completing my master's, I taught English as a Second Language (ESL) to socioeconomically disadvantaged students, an experience that prepared me for my subsequent role as a Teaching Associate at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management. My commitment to academic advancement continued with the successful completion of a Ph.D. at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, where my research explored the intersection of hospitality, technology, and customer experience.

Courses

• HTM 210: Food & Beverage Service Management
• HTM 310: Global Leadership
• HTM 330: Cruise Operations Management
• HTM 362: Hospitality Information Systems
• HTM 396: Career Planning
• HTM 435: Quality Service Management
• HTM 455: Advanced Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Events