Teaching:

• Strategic Management
• Service Operations
• Consumer Behavior / Marketing
• Lodging & Accommodations 
• General Hospitality & Tourism

Research:

• Consumer decision-making and risk perception. How travelers, guests, and planners weigh risk, value, and loyalty in choosing destinations, accommodations, and brands.
• Credibility, persuasion, and message framing. How the source and framing of information influence trust and behavior, from avatar design and source credibility to CSR messaging, brand advocacy, and stewardship messaging.
• Online communities and consumer engagement. How brand and consumption communities form, exchange information, and build identification, studied through mixed methods.
• Experience design and visitor stewardship. How the design of experiences and places shapes behavior, including hotel innovation and novelty, event technology and gamification, and shared stewardship on Tennessee Blueways.
• Tourism and hospitality education. Experiential learning, student engagement, and teaching evaluation in applied professional programs.

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Dr. Elizabeth A. Whalen is Associate Professor and Program Director of Tourism and Hospitality Management in the Department of Sport and Hospitality Management at Middle Tennessee State University. Since joining MTSU in 2019, she has led the creation of the B.S. in Tourism and Hospitality Management. She designed its curriculum, assessment, and strategic plan, and guided it to become the first ACPHA-accredited hospitality program in Tennessee. Her teaching centers on mentorship and applied learning. She connects students to industry through work experience, a professional mentorship program, and a leadership seminar that brings industry executives into the classroom.

In 2025, both the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association and the Greater Nashville Hospitality Association named her Industry Educator of the Year. She chairs MTSU’s University Curriculum Committee and serves on the Faculty Senate, the TNHTA Board of Directors, and as an ACPHA accreditation site reviewer. Before MTSU, she directed the Executive Master’s Program at the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College, where she earned her Ph.D., and held management roles in hotel and restaurant operations.

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Refereed Journal Articles

Taylor, S., Jr., Whalen, E. A., Zhuang, Y., & Sonmez, D. (2026). Shut-up and brew: Consumer perceptions of advocacy in the US craft beer industry. International Journal of Wine Business Research, 38(2), 333–356. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJWBR-06-2025-0041

Whalen, E. A., & Lauber, D. E. (2025). Avatar profile design and source credibility in online leisure communities: Implications for engagement strategies. Leisure Sciences. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/01490400.2025.2485182

Liu, Y., & Whalen, E. A. (2025). Event planner destination choice: A case study of Nashville. Journal of Convention & Event Tourism, 26(1), 76–100. https://doi.org/10.1080/15470148.2025.2456837

Whalen, E. A., & Dunlap, R. (2024). Hotel innovation and novelty: A case study of Disney’s Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser. Current Issues in Tourism, 28(9), 1390–1403. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2024.2337906

Belarmino, A., Whalen, E. A., & Guzzo, R. F. (2024). The impact of message framing on perceptions of controversial CSR in hotels. International Hospitality Review, 39(2), 304–322. https://doi.org/10.1108/IHR-12-2022-0062

Whalen, E. A., & Bowen, J. T. (2023). Novel trends challenging tourism. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 15(6), 608–616. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-09-2023-0109

Sisson, A. D., & Whalen, E. A. (2023). Engaging in student evaluations of teaching through intrinsic motivation: An exploratory study of competence, perceived choice, value/usefulness, and relatedness. Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism, 24(2), 189–202. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313220.2023.2268566

Whalen, E. A., Bowen, J. T., & Baloglu, S. (2023). Comparison of generational loyalty models and loyalty programs for Millennial, Generation X, and Baby Boomer hotel customers. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 7(4), 2328–2346. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-01-2023-0053

Taylor, S., Jr., Whalen, E. A., & Norris, C. L. (2023). Exploring consumer perceptions of no- and low-alcohol craft beers. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 40(6), 625–638. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCM-06-2021-4709

Sisson, A. D., & Whalen, E. A. (2022). Getting back to human touch: Habit and change decisions during mobile device intermediations at events. Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality, 17(4), 514–529. https://doi.org/10.1108/CBTH-03-2022-0051

Whalen, E. A., & Sisson, A. D. (2022). Co-branding hotel owners and operators to increase willingness to pay. Research in Hospitality Management, 12(2), 151–159. https://doi.org/10.1080/22243534.2022.2133172

Whalen, E. A., & Belarmino, A. (2022). Risk mitigation through source credibility in online travel communities. Anatolia, 34(3), 414–425. https://doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2022.2048405

Sisson, A. D., & Whalen, E. A. (2021). Exploratory study on the perceptions of event gamification on positive behavioral outcomes. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 5(5), 822–841. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-04-2021-0085

Belarmino, A., & Whalen, E. A. (2020). Examining the impact of political candidates on hotel revenue. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 3(1), 36–53. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-04-2019-0071

Whalen, E. A., Belarmino, A., & Taylor, S., Jr. (2019). Share and share alike? Examining the maturation of the sharing economy through a craft beer exchange. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Insights, 2(4), 309–325. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHTI-02-2019-0024

Belarmino, A., Whalen, E. A., Koh, Y., & Bowen, J. T. (2019). Comparing guests’ key attributes of peer-to-peer accommodations and hotels: Mixed-methods approach. Current Issues in Tourism, 22(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2017.1293623

Whalen, E. A. (2018). Understanding a shifting methodology: A content analysis of the use of netnography in hospitality and tourism research. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 30(11), 3423–3441. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCHM-08-2017-0536

Whalen, E. A., & Han, J. (2017). The innovative competitive advantage: A case study of two pioneering companies. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Cases, 6(1), 70–76. https://doi.org/10.1177/216499871700600108

Morosan, C., Dawson, M., & Whalen, E. A. (2017). Using active learning activities to increase student outcomes in an information technology course. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Education, 29(4), 147–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/10963758.2017.1382369

Bowen, J. T., & Whalen, E. A. (2017). Trends that are changing travel and tourism. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 9(6), 592–602. https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-09-2017-0045

Book Chapters and Teaching Cases

Whalen, E. A. (2022). Online brand communities: A case study of Disney. In P. Hobbs (Ed.), Interpreting and experiencing Disney: Mediating the mouse (pp. 187–204). Intellect. https://doi.org/10.1386/9781789384741_11

Whalen, E. A. (2025). Beyond revenue: Serene Haven’s quest for customer-centric revenue management. In Revenue management and optimization: Beyond hotels (Chapter 11).

Professional and Instructional Publications

Whalen, E. A. (2020, March). Creating your own personal brand. Murfreesboro Magazine, 2–3.

Whalen, E. A. (2019). Supplementary instructional materials (editing and development) for P. Kotler, J. T. Bowen, & S. Baloglu, Marketing for hospitality and tourism (8th ed.). Pearson.

Bowen, J. T., & Whalen, E. A. (2016). Millennials: Changing loyalty programs, design, and brand standards. HITEC 2016 Special Report.

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Wallace, H.*, Whalen, E. A., & Sisson, A. (2026, October 21–23). Lines, lanes, launches: Understanding how design shapes behavior on Tennessee Blueways. International Society of Travel & Tourism Educators (ISTTE) Conference, Breda, the Netherlands.

Whalen, E. A., & Sisson, A. (2026, October 21–23). Beyond signs and rules: How message framing builds shared stewardship ethics on Tennessee Blueways. International Society of Travel & Tourism Educators (ISTTE) Conference, Breda, the Netherlands.

Taylor, S., Jr., Whalen, E. A., & Zhuang, Y. (2025, June 16–19). Politics in a pint glass: Consumer support for craft brewery advocacy. International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) Conference, Indianapolis, IN.

Taylor, S., & Whalen, E. A. (2024, March 8–9). Shut-up and brew: Consumer perceptions of advocacy in the beer industry. Southeast, Central & South American (SECSA) Federation Conference, Columbia, SC.

Whalen, E. A., & Lauber, D. (2024, March 8–9). The impact of observed crime statistics on intentions to visit a destination. Southeast, Central & South American (SECSA) Federation Conference, Columbia, SC.

Sisson, A., & Whalen, E. A. (2023, May 23–26). It’s time to connect the dots: Engaging in student evaluations of teaching through intrinsic motivation. Council for Hospitality Management Education (CHME) Conference, Stenden, the Netherlands.

Sisson, A., & Whalen, E. A. (2022, October 5–7). You can’t win if you don’t play! Perceptions of event gamification on behavioral outcomes. International Society of Travel & Tourism Educators (ISTTE) Virtual Conference. Honorable Mention, Best Paper Award.

Sisson, A., & Whalen, E. A. (2022, May 25–27). Power down for human touch: Mobile device intermediations at events. Council for Hospitality Management Education (CHME) Conference, Edinburgh, Scotland. Best Paper in Festivals and the Human Touch.

Liu, Y., & Whalen, E. A. (2022, March 4). Event planner destination choice: A case study of Nashville. Southeast, Central & South American (SECSA) Federation Conference, online.

Reid, R.*, & Whalen, E. A. (2022, January 6–8). Universal service design in the restaurant industry: Bridging the gap between ADA guidelines and customer needs. 27th Annual Graduate Education & Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality & Tourism, Houston, TX.

Bowen, J., Baloglu, S., & Whalen, E. A. (2019, July 24–26). The antecedents of hotel loyalty across generational segments. ICHRIE Conference, Special Interest Group—Sales and Marketing Faculty, New Orleans, LA.

Taylor, S., & Whalen, E. A. (2019, July 24–26). Craft beer traders’ behavioral intentions and engagement in online communities: An exploratory study of perceived similarity. ICHRIE Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Whalen, E. A., & Bowen, J. (2019, January 3–5). To believe or not to believe: The impact of avatar information labeling on source credibility. Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism, Houston, TX.

Whalen, E. A., & Bowen, J. (2019, January 3–5). Risk mitigation through source credibility: An investigation of online community engagement. Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism, Houston, TX.

Bowen, J., Baloglu, S., & Whalen, E. A. (2018, November 7–9). Do models of customer loyalty vary across generational segments? EuroCHRIE Conference, Dublin, Ireland.

Whalen, E. A., & Bowen, J. (2018, January 3–5). The loyalty of a generation: Comparing models of customer loyalty across generational segments. Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism, Fort Worth, TX.

Whalen, E. A., Taylor, S., Jr., & Bowen, J. (2018, January 3–5). Craft beer aficionados welcome: How source attractiveness and risk perceptions influence intentions for beer exchange. Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism, Fort Worth, TX.

Whalen, E. A., Bowen, J., Baloglu, S., & Lee, H.-K. (2017, July 26–28). Existing loyalty programs a thing of the past? Understanding millennial loyalty. ICHRIE Conference, Baltimore, MD.

Whalen, E. A. (2017, June 20–22). Is there room for online ethnography in the changing netnography landscape? Travel and Tourism Research Association (TTRA) International Conference, Qualitative Research Symposium, Quebec City, Canada.

Whalen, E. A., & Bowen, J. (2017, June 20–22). Engaging the customer: The impacts of online travel community engagement on brand identification and behavioral intentions. TTRA International Conference, Graduate Student Colloquium, Quebec City, Canada.

Whalen, E. A., & Bowen, J. (2017, January 5–7). Exploring the antecedents of tourism and hospitality based online communities on consumer decision making processes. Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism, Houston, TX.

Belarmino, A., Whalen, E. A., Koh, Y., & Bowen, J. (2016, July 20–22). Sharing means caring: How the need for relationships drives guests to Airbnb. ICHRIE Conference, Dallas, TX.

Morosan, C., Dawson, M., & Whalen, E. A. (2016, July 20–22). Using active learning activities to increase student outcomes in an information technology course. ICHRIE Conference, Dallas, TX.

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• Awarded Stars of the Industry: Purple Iris Awards, Industry Educator of the Year 2025
  • Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association
  • Nominated for Industry Educator of the Year 2023; 2024
• Awarded Stars of the Industry, Industry Educator of the Year 2025
  • Greater Nashville Hospitality Association
• Awarded 2025 Scholarship to attend Governor’s Conference on Hospitality & Tourism
  • Tennessee Department of Tourism
• Awarded 2024 Reviewer of the Year
  • Journal of Teaching in Travel and Tourism
• Awarded Best Paper in Festivals and the Human Touch
  • Council for Hospitality Management Education Conference 2022
  • “Power Down for Human Touch: Mobile Device Intermediations at Events”
• Honorable Mention for Best Paper Award
  • International Society of Travel & Tourism Educators Virtual Conference 2022
  • “You can’t win if you don’t play! Perceptions of event gamification on behavioral outcomes”
• Awarded Teaching Excellence Graduate Teaching Assistant Award 2017-2018
  • University of Houston
• Awarded the Donald Greenaway Teaching Excellence Award 2014-2015
  • Conrad N. Hilton College

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Manuscripts in Progress

Whalen, E. A. Experiential learning is not the problem: Rethinking student engagement in tourism, hospitality, and events education. [under review]

Whalen, E. A., Sisson, A. D., & Wallace, H.*. Shared waters: Encouraging cooperative use and conservation of Tennessee Blueways. [under review]

Wallace, H.*, Whalen, E. A., & Sisson, A. D. Lines, lanes, and launches: Which low-cost launch layout makes blueway launches work smoother? [under review]

Tan, K., & Whalen, E. A. Negative emotions scale development. [under review]

Whalen, E. A., & Lauber, D. E. The impact of observed crime statistics on intentions to visit a destination. [data collection]

Belarmino, A., & Whalen, E. A. Haute cuisine. [methodology design]

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• Publication in Murfreesboro Magazine March 2020 edition “Creating Your Own Personal Brand” pages 2-3
• Featured in MTSU News – “Professor says communication is key to helping students success during pandemic”
  • October 15, 2020
  • https://mtsunews.com/professor-says-communication-is-key-to-helping-students-succeed-during-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR14XV3S9qgoWb4Z1jZ1N-jWVnXsmkjehHqnmGsPjwfWdySErrPv702chgs
• Program feature in MTSU News - "MTSU boasts first accredited Tourism-Hospitality program of its kind in state"
  
  • July 17, 2024
  • https://mtsunews.com/mtsu-first-accredited-tourism-hospitality-program/#:~:text=MTSU%20boasts%20first%20accredited%20Tourism%2DHospitality%20program%20of%20its%20kind%20in%20state,-by%20Nancy%20DeGennaro&text=MURFREESBORO%2C%20Tenn.,degree%20program%20in%20the%20state.
• Program feature in The Lynchburg Times - "MTSU boasts first accredited Tourism and Hospitality program of its kind in the state"
  • July 22, 2024
  • https://thelynchburgtimes.com/mtsu-tourism-and-hospitality-program/ 
• Interview about new hotel with Fox 17 Nashville - "MTSU to offer hands-on experience with new campus hotel"
  • September 9, 2024
  • https://fox17.com/news/local/mtsu-to-offer-hands-on-experience-with-new-campus-hotel
• MTSU News Feature - "MTSU tourism-hospitality majors earn spots as student ambassadors for governor’s tourism conference"
  • November 8, 2024
  • https://mtsunews.com/tourism-hospitality-governors-conference/ 
• MTSU Out of the Blue
  • July 2, 2025
  • https://youtu.be/dgLs_4AXcXY 
• MTSU News Feature - "MTSU Tourism, Hospitality Management professor Whalen wins triple honors in 2025"
  • October 16, 2025
  • https://mtsunews.com/tourism-hospitality-whalen-award-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tourism-hospitality-whalen-award-2025&_gl=1%2A4kvua9%2A_gcl_au%2AMTgzMjY3MzY3NC4xNzYzNDQwNDY0%2A_ga%2AMTE4Mjk4MzQ2Mi4xNzU1NDg5MDI3%2A_ga_RH4FJSELLB%2AczE3NjU0MTA5MTckbzQwJGcxJHQxNzY1NDEyMjM1JGoxNiRsMCRoNTQxMzA3MTQ1 

• Podcast guest, Gather and Go with Brian Jewell (The Group Travel Leader): “Tourism’s Future — Are You Doing Your Part?” (June 24, 2026). https://grouptravelleader.com/tourisms-future-are-you-doing-your-part/

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