Suzanne Bagnera, PhD, CHA, CED

As Director of Hospitality Executive Education at FIU, I lead the strategy, development, and delivery of innovative learning programs designed for hospitality professionals. I oversee the full lifecycle of non-credit certificate experiences—online, hybrid, and in-person—from concept to launch. My role focuses on identifying industry gaps, curating expert-led content, and building programs that advance workforce skills, leadership, and innovation across the global hospitality sector. I also spearheaded the creation of the first-of-its-kind AI program in the United States for the hospitality industry—Advanced Hospitality Technology: Integrating AI and Machine Learning. This groundbreaking course bridges emerging technology with real-world applications, equipping executives and operators with the tools to enhance guest experience, optimize operations, and drive data-informed decision-making.

Serving as the lead for the Lodging Curriculum, bringing her extensive knowledge to the forefront. Additionally, I will be teaching lodging-related classes and contributing to the implementation of executive education initiatives in collaboration with our industry partners.

Supporting the show hosts, Glenn Haussman and Anthony Melchiorri, behind the scenes with the technology to produce the daily podcast in a live format.

As Director and Producer of the [CLIC] Connect podcast, I oversee all aspects of production—from content planning and guest coordination to recording and post-production. I work closely with Founder and Host Craig Sullivan to shape each episode’s direction, ensuring engaging, relevant conversations that highlight leaders and trends across the hospitality, lodging, and investment sectors. Our goal is to elevate industry insight and connection through meaningful storytelling and professional-quality media.

Founder of a consulting business that offers customized training for leadership staff, front line staff and strategic customer service guidance. Manages the day-to-day and financial operations in addition to the delivery of training programs. Providing service to hospitality business and beyond to elevate the level of service in businesses that dazzle their customers.

Oversaw the hospitality management program in the Workforce Education Division. Taught classes in the culinary and hospitality programs. Created and developed the new Hospitality Institute allowing for industry-wide certification programs.

Faculty member specializing in Lodging Operations. Teaching one section of Lodging Operations & Technology and two sections of Human Resource Management in the Undergraduate program. Teaching Hospitality Operations Analysis in the new Masters in Hospitality Management (MMH) graduate program. Working to develop the new Hospitality Organizational Leadership class for the MMH program. Proficient in various forms of technological tools to enhance learning: Blackboard LMS, Echo 360, Kaltura, Skype for Business, Zoom, Screen-cast-omatic, to name a few. Class-2-Class Coordinator: Overseas the C2C program in SHA including the oversight of three Learning Assistants (LA) for student support. This special international program allows students in my classes to work on a project with students in another international program to develop cultural competencies. BU HUB SHA Ambassador: Mapping and designing courses to adhere to the general education requirements. Designing a specialized Internship course for the graduate program. Always seeking Boston area partnership hospitality organizations for our students. Plays an integral role with Assessment for SHA. Faculty Advisor: Responsible for advising students with their academic progress, industry experience, career goals and personal support. Faculty Advisor for the AH&LA Student Chapter. Planning Coordinator for the NYC Hotel Xperience Show. Coordinates special event planning for SHA as necessary.

Oversee the Undergraduate programs (Hospitality Administration & Hospitality Administration and Communication) in the School of Hospitality Management. Manage the curriculum and assessment of both programs. Responsible for the advising of students and training of faculty as advisors. Coordinates the hiring of new part-time faculty members from industry to teach elective courses. Oversight for all student clubs and organizations in SHA.

As the Professor in Charge of Undergraduate programs, one of the most important tasks I oversee is the role that the School of Hospitality Administration (SHA) plays in the interwoven general education program, BU Hub, being implemented at BU. Curriculum design and assessment responsibilities are included. Developing a new advising plan for faculty to assist students with the new education requirements. Other duties and responsibilities as deemed appropriate by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs.

Faculty member teaching Human Resource Management and Lodging Operations. Student Advising. Curriculum development for a new lodging course. Special event planning. AH&LA Student Chapter Advisor

Online instructor for TH201 Hospitality Sales & Marketing in the undergraduate program for a small liberal arts college in Boston.

FSM 3001: Human Resources in Food Service Management

Adjunct Instructor for HOSP 5000 / HOSP 6526- Hospitality Technology Class

Full-time faculty member in the School of Hospitality Management teaching hotel related classes. Classes: Senior Thesis I & II Senior Internship Rooms Division Management Corporate Events Resort Management Sales & Marketing Convention Sales & Service Social Media

Oversee the coordination of the Hotel & Tourism / Hospitality Management Program in the School of Business. Instruct students. Advise Students on career direction.

Distance Program for Hospitality Management with a 24 credit residency requirement. Dissertation Topic: An Examination of online ratings on hotel performance indicators: An analysis of the Boston hotel market A study looking into the TripAdvisor attributes and their significant impact on the STR hotel financial performance indicators (ADR, RevPar, and Occupancy %).