Journal of Tourism & Hospitality
Open Access

Joseph J. West

Biography

Dr. West currently teaches at FIU after having served ten years as Dean, School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and one year as Vice Provost, Biscayne Bay Campus of Florida International University. During his tenure as dean he co-founded the South Beach Wine and Food Festival and established a satellite campus in Tianjin, Peoples Republic of China – the first United States University to do so - which currently has an enrollment of over 1200 students. His entrepreneurial initiatives brought over $24 million to the school. He also served as Chairman of the Department Hospitality Administration, College of Business, The Florida State University and Director, Hospitality Education Program, Department of Business and Professional Regulation, State of Florida. While at Florida State University he was instrumental in founding and developing the University Center Club in partnership with Club Corporation of America and the Seminole Boosters. During his eight years of leadership, the Department of Hospitality Administration received the largest cash gift ever made to Florida State University to that time and raised over $20 million. In addition to his teaching duties at FIU, he is also VP & Director of Operations, The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company, an emerging bakery café restaurant concept.

Research Interest

Strategic management in the Hospitality/Tourism Industry
Leadership, Hospitality and Tourism operations