Faculty/Staff

Michelle Russen

Assistant Professor
mrussen@usf.edu
Tampa Office: BSN 3410
Vita

Michelle Russen is an assistant professor in the School of Hospitality and Sport Management at the University of South Florida. She earned a PhD in hospitality administration from the University of Houston in 2022, where her dissertation examined leadership inclusion and career advancement in hospitality management. She earned master's and bachelor's degrees in hospitality management from USF. In addition, she holds industry certifications including the Wine & Spirits Education Trust Level 2 Award in Wines with Distinction and ServSafe Manager certification.

Prior to USF, Russen was an assistant professor of hospitality management at California State University, San Bernardino, and taught at the University of Houston and The Art Institute of Houston. She taught hospitality operations, leadership, human resources, organizational behavior, strategy, marketing, restaurant and hotel management, meetings and events, and wine studies at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Known for her student-centered and industry-focused approach, Russen emphasizes connecting classroom concepts to real-world challenges, helping students develop practical skills while building the professionalism and critical thinking abilities needed for long-term career success. She has led multiple curriculum-development initiatives with consultation from the industry.

Russen’s research focuses on organizational strategy, leadership, workplace culture, employee well-being, and workforce practices within the hospitality industry. She has published extensively in leading hospitality journals, including the International Journal of Hospitality Management, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, and Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Management.

She received the Faculty Achievement in Innovative Research Award from California State University, San Bernardino, and the International CHRIE Best Paper Award. She has presented her research at hospitality conferences throughout the world and serves as editorial assistant (managing editor) at International Hospitality Review.

Prior to entering academia, Russen spent over a decade working in the hospitality industry, holding leadership positions in restaurant operations, event management, and hospitality consulting.