Leslie A Kosky (she/her)
Associate Professor College of Hospitality & Business Department of Hospitality Providence
Biography
Leslie Kosky’s professional experience includes positions within Westin Hotels & Resorts, Hilton Hotels and Disney World Golf Resort, focusing on the following areas within a hotel: concierge services, front office, guest services, reservations, catering and event planning.
She has more than 30 years of teaching experience between Johnson & Wales University and Guam Community College. As a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) since 1996, she is known for developing innovative teaching methods and she believes in a learner-centered active classroom. Kosky enjoys collaborating with other professors to strengthen the learning outcomes in her classroom and she is passionate about motivating and encouraging her students in becoming the best they can be.
Kosky has expertise in student advising, specifically for freshmen, and teaching within a learning community. In 2024 she received her CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) designation. This is done through the EIC (Event Industry Counsil) & MPI (Meeting Planners International) and is a premiere industry standard certification.
Education
MEd, University of Guam
Education Leadership/Master of Education in Secondary Education
8 Graduate credits in Education Administration, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Education
61 credits towards Associate Degree in Hotel/Restaurant Management, Delaware County Community College
Hotel/Restaurant Management
BA, University of Delaware
International Relations
Certified Meeting Professional
EIC – Events Industry Council
Adult Mental Health First Aid USA
MHFA – National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Heartsaver FIrst Aid CPR AED
American Heart Association
Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE)
American Hotel & Lodging Association
QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Program
JWU & QPR Institute
Badge/Certification for Ultra Blackboard Training
JWU-CTL-IDT
Badge Certification for REAL Champion
JWU-CTL
Hazing Prevention 101
JWU
Written Information Security Policy (WISP)
JWU
ServSafe Alcohol
National Restaurant Association
Student Organization Support Award – Leadership Award
JWU/Student Organizations
National Association for Academic Advising
Meeting Planners International
Rhode Island Hospitality Association
2025 NACADA Region 1 & 2 Conference, “Empowering Student Success: Innovative Mentoring Techniques through Appreciative Advising,” Johnson & Wales University, Buffalo, NY, United States. (March 30, 2025).
2025 University Scholarship and Best Practices Expo, “Empowering Student Success: Innovative Mentoring Techniques through Appreciative Advising,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI, United States. (February 14, 2025).
University Scholarship and Best Practices Expo, “The Six Phases of Appreciate Advising,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI, United States. (April 12, 2024).
University Scholarship and Best Practices Expo, “Enhancing the Student Experience to Support Increased Retention and Graduation Rates: Insights from Year One of the Faculty Mentor Program,” Johnson & Wales University, Providence, RI, United States. (April 13, 2023).
JWU Faculty Showcase, “Hotel Summit Webinar: An Optimistic Future,” JWU, Providence, RI. (April 7, 2022).
Concierge Workshop, “Concierge Skills Workshop,” Tillingers from Boston, Providence, RI. (2014).
ACLC Annual Conference, “Building and Fostering Intentional Communities in the Classroom,” ACLC, West Hartford, CT. (October 22, 2013).
Concierge Workshop, “Concierge Skills Workshop,” Tillingers from Boston, Providence, RI. (April, 2013).
Concierge Workshop, “Concierge Skills Workshop,” Tillingers from Boston, Providence, RI. (April, 2012).
(Digital Poster Presentation for the JWU Faculty Showcase. The event of the online panel occurred on 10/21/20 however the Faculty Showcase occurred on 4/7/22. The moderators of the panel were 3 student club officers and the panel was 4 hospitality industry professionals.). (April 7, 2022). International Hotel School Presents: The Hotel Summit – An Optimistic Future, A Collaborative Event Featuring Student Clubs and Alumni. Providence, RI, United States.