Berkita S. Bradford, Ph.D., Named Chair of Hospitality and Tourism Department

Berkita Bradford, Ph.D., has been appointed as the department chair of the hospitality and tourism department at the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) School of Business, effective March 1, 2024. Reporting directly to Anthony C. Nelson, Ph.D., the dean of the School of Business, Bradford will lead a transformative period for the hospitality program.

In her role, Bradford will spearhead efforts to innovate and refine the curriculum, revamp programming, and strategically optimize staffing to ensure excellence and relevance in hospitality education.

With 20 years of experience in higher education, including admissions and recruitment, Bradford has held various leadership roles, including commissioner for the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA), president of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities - Hospitality Management (HBCU - HM) Consortium, member of the Hosteling International USA Board of Directors, board member of the AHED Alliance for Hospitality Equity & Diversity and Hyatt faculty intern. She has served as guest co-editor for the Journal of Teaching in Travel & Tourism's special on advancing diversity, equity and inclusion within the hospitality discipline.

Bradford earned her bachelor's degree in hotel restaurant management and master's degree in public administration with a concentration in human resource management from Grambling State University. She also holds a Ph.D. in hospitality management from Kansas State University.