ALUM-TO-ALUM
CAREER
CENTER
EVENTS
STAYCONNECTED
ALUMNICOUNCIL
NEWS
MEMBERBENEFITS
Melanie Au '94
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Which on-campus activities were you involved in as a student? How did those activities assist you in attaining your career goals?
I was involved in the Christian Students Club, Drama, Cheerleading and Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority. Being in these activities assisted me in attaining my career goals by allowing me the opportunity of networking, giving back to the community, having pride in what I do and for my school. Meeting and networking with new people is an essential skill I learned and use today in the industry. I am currently a hospitality management instructor at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio and these skills have helped me develop my teaching methods.
Please detail your career accomplishments. How will your career path help you be successful in the position which you are being nominated for?
My first career accomplishment was receiving a four year scholarship to Johnson and Wales University in 1990, through the Miss National Teenager Scholarship Pageant. I can’t express what a gift it was for me to receive this national honor. I have so much pride in JWU and am so proud of the school’s accomplishments, which makes me want to give back as much as I can to the University. I consider each job position that I held a stepping stone for the next, each an accomplishment on its own. Each position held different challenges, and I learned so much from being in the hotel industry as a housekeeper at a Holiday Inn to an Executive Housekeeper for Wyndham Hotels, to a General Manager for Marriott. I have traveled/lived in several different areas, which gives me a greater understanding of the diversity in our work and school environments. I believe that all of my career stepping stones have finally led me to my ultimate calling, which is teaching hotel/restaurant management. This career path will help me be successful in the alumni council because I am constantly interacting with the new and upcoming stars of our industry. To be able to get feedback from students on a daily basis gives me a wealth of information as most of the students are currently working in the industry. As an instructor, I also have a flexible schedule which will allow me to dedicate the time that is necessary to be successful in this position. I also have the support from the college I work for to be a part of industry committees.
Please list what skills and/or qualities you will bring to the council to help take the council to the next level.
As an alumna, I believe one of the qualities I have, is that I have a good idea of what the alumni would like to experience. An alumni council must express gratitude and hospitality as well as a “family” feeling to the alums to get them as involved as possible.
Other qualities I hold are integrity, pride, and humor. Some of the skills I would bring to this position are previous experience in event planning, budgeting, set-up and follow-through, as well as contract negotiations with event providers. I currently instruct hospitality courses on sales and marketing and convention planning and services. I have great organizational skills, never miss a deadline and always manage to keep a sincere smiling face.
What are your visions/goals for the council over the next two years?
The ultimate goal should be to increase participation in alumni events, the better the participation, the more pride alumni have in their school. Pride and excitement radiates to other people, and we all know that may lead to a future enrollment of a new student as well as continuing support of the alum. I am a big advocate for JWU not only as a graduate but as an instructor at a 2 year community college which has a hospitality/culinary program. Our college has an articulation agreement with JWU to accept our credits for transfer into the food service management bachelor’s degree program. I am always promoting JWU to our students and even met one of my students that transferred, at homecoming weekend last year. In February of 2008, I am looking forward to attending my first AIMS meeting in Cleveland with Sue Puffer to assist in any way I can in the recruitment process. I am excited about FOCUS 2011 and what it means to the University as a whole and really want to be a part of the success it will bring to JWU.
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