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Agnes L. DeFranco Professor, Conrad N. Hilton Distinguished Chair

Education
B.S. Hotel and Restaurant Management, M.B.A., Ed.D., University of Houston. CHE, CHAE, CHIA, CAHTA.

Expertise & Research Interests
  • Finance
  • Accounting
  • Cost Control
  • Hospitality Education
  • Problem Solving Decision Making

Career Highlights
Co-author of nine textbooks and has published more than 120 refereed articles; conducts workshops for the Certified Hospitality Accountant Executive examination; a Certified Hospitality Educator Cadre member; recipient of the Dean's Award for Excellence in Applied Research, the Best Paper Award from the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and International Education (I-CHRIE), and the HFTP-iHITA Best Research Paper Award; earned the Hilton College Teaching Excellence Award, the University of Houston Teaching Excellence Award, and the University of Houston Career Teaching Excellence Award; recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award, Distinguished Alumna Award, and Young Alumna Award from the Hilton College Alumni Association; member of Eric Hilton Distinguished Alumni Club; recipient of the H. J. Heinz Graduate Fellowship; recipient of the HFTP Paragon Award; active in a number of local, state and national organizations, including serving as the global president of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) from 2006 to 2007; member of I-CHRIE's finance and future fund committees, and treasurer of I-CHRIE from 1999 to 2002; past presidents of Phi Beta Delta and Phi Kappa Phi honor societies at the University of Houston; eight years of central administration experience at UH working with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board on undergraduate issues such as persistence, graduation, general education curriculum, and college and career readiness standards; eight years of industry experience in food & beverage.