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Leslie Kosky

Associate Professor

JWU Faculty Since 1997

headshot of Associate Professor Leslie Kosky

Contact Info

Email
leslie.kosky@jwu.edu
Phone
401-598-2229
Campus
Providence

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 25 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.

Education

  • M.Ed., Education, University of Guam
  • B.A., International Relations, University of Delaware
  • A.S., Hotel Management, Delaware County Community College

“Congratulations, Today is your day. You're off to great places. You're off and away.
” Dr. Seuss

Teaching Interests

Guest Service
Concierge Services
Hotel Operations
Meeting & Event Planning
Tourism
Interactive Leaning Activities in the Classroom
Engagement in the Classroom
Flipping the Classroom

Scholarly Interests

I have been a Faculty Advisor for 20 years and for the last 4 years have been the Advising Coordinator for the College of Hospitality Management. I am very interested in all aspects of faculty advising and how they link to retention of students. I firmly believe that a strong faculty advising program links to a students success in their college journey.

Courses

  • Orientation to the Hospitality Industry
  • Managing the Hotel Guest Experience
  • Hospittality Sales and Meeting Management
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Extra Curricular Roles

I am a faculty advisor for HLA (Hospitality Leaders Association) which is a student club on campus. HLA is associated with the AHLA (American Hotel & Lodging Association) which is a professional organization for hoteliers to join once they are working for a hotel. A student can also join AHLA as a student member to receive some of the benefits from that professional association. The student club HLA brings together students who are interested in the Hospitality Industry. Examples of club activities are: facility tours, guest speakers, alumni speaker panels, as well as activities that can help the community. The activities are focused on developing future hospitality leaders. It is also a great place to do the all important "networking". A student can also develop leadership skills by becoming a member of the clubs E-board.

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Professional Affiliations

NACADA - National Academic Advising Association
RIHA - Rhode Island Hospitality Association
MPI - Meeting Planners International


Q&A with Leslie

At JWU, education is not confined to the four walls of the classroom. You’re not going to spend four years with your nose buried in a book, learning theories you may never get a chance to apply — you’re going to get out there and apply them, be it through internships, group projects, leadership opportunities, competitions and more.

How Did You Get Started?

I worked for the Hotel Industry for about 15 years. I moved to the island of Guam (do you know where that is located?) and really just fell into education and so glad that I did. Having industry experience is very important when teaching Hospitality. Guam was booming in tourism in the 1990's and they were looking for experienced folks to teach.......................well that was me and I was lucky enough to teach at a college on Guam. I learned how to teach and earned my Masters in Education there. Twenty-five years later I still love going into that classroom everyday and making a difference in a students life.

What Is Your Favorite Teaching Moment?

For me it is hard to have one favorite teaching moment. I have many of them. It can come in many forms. A "feel good" moment is when I teach a challenging concept and I see the faces & eyes of the student light up as they finally "got it".

Since I teach Hospitality it is all about getting to know people so in the beginning of the semester it is generally quite and as the days go on it is heartwarming to the chatter of students now talking more and more with each other.

I like to think of my classroom as a small community and I work hard at building that community as we move through the semester. It is very rewarding to see it all come together and see all working together.

What Advice Do You Have For Incoming Freshmen?

From a Freshman Advisor:
1. Show up - go to all your classes unless very ill.
2. Engage - go to class prepared
3. Turn off the cel phone during class
4. Get involved with students clubs & organizations - at least one the first year.
5. Stay healthy & safe - sleep, eating, exercise
6. Keep your support system (family & friends) yet build your independence.
7. Make the most of each day - 4 years goes by quickly
8. Be social - leave the door to your dorm room open while you are there
9. Tap into the university services & resources.
10. Introduce yourself and get to know your professor so they can get to know you!

What College Do You Teach In?

The College of Hospitality Management