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James Williams

Biography

My primary research interests are leadership, soft skills, youth sports impact on leadership, and traits of hospitality business leaders. I have conducted qualitative and quantitative research that explores and examines the impact of youth sports’ experiences on transformational leadership, soft skills, and decision-making in high-pressure situations. I have over 15 years of leadership experiences in manufacturing, sales, military (medical), education (public and higher education), professional acting and football, banking, motivational speaking and training business leaders, and as an entrepreneur (UnmaskYTP LLC). Currently, I serve as the faculty chair for athletics on the faculty senate committee.

Education

Williams received his PhD in Hospitality Management/Leadership from Iowa State University (2012). He received a D.M in Management and Organizational Leadership from the University of Phoenix (2010), a M.S in General Administration from Central Michigan University (2005) and a B.S in Business Management from Park University (2003).

Certification

  • 2018 – AHLEI American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, Orlando, FL
    Certified Hospitality Educator Trainer
  • 2011 – CHE American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, Orlando, FL
    Certified Hospitality Educator
  • 2013 – CC Toastmaster’s International, Ames, IA
    Competent Communicator

Awards and Recognitions

  • 2019 Best International Mentor, CHEI (Chinese Hospitality Education Initiative)
  • 2019 Tanisha L. Jenkins Beacon of Light Award, University of Tennessee
  • 2019 TEDx Speaker for UTK, University of Tennessee
  • 2019 Teaching Excellence Finalist, University of Tennessee
  • 2019 Emerging Scholar Top 15, Diverse: Issues in Higher Education
  • 2018 Faculty Member of the Year, UTK NAACP Vol Image Awards
  • 2018 Faculty Featured for Faculty Appreciation Week
  • 2017 Best Faculty Presenter at the SECSA Federation Conference (March 2017); attendees vote for the winner during a single-room presentation format
  • 2017 Motivational Speaker of the Year, The National Society of Leadership and Success of UT; it is the nation’s largest leadership honor society
  • 2016 Dean’s Rising Star, College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences; the dean of the college choose this individual
  • 2016 Excellence in Teaching, The National Society of Leadership and Success of UT; it is the nation’s largest leadership honor society
  • 2012 Teaching Excellence Award for Graduate Students, Iowa State University; this award was given by the dean of the college

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