Patty Janes, Ph.D., Professor

Office Address: 227C Richard M. DeVos Center - Pew Campus
Phone: (616) 331-3193
Email: [email protected]

Teaching Areas:
HTM 375 - Hospitality and Tourism Research
HTM 452 - Hospitality and Tourism Marketing

Experience:

Dr. Patty Janes is a Professor in the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). She joined GVSU in 2012 from Central Michigan University where she was a Professor in the Recreation Parks and Leisure Services Administration Department for 21 years.

She has taught over 20 courses in hospitality, tourism, and recreation. However, her primary teaching areas include marketing and research.  She has been recognized for her higher education efforts which include community-based learning in 2017 as the sole nominee from GVSU for the Michigan Campus Compact Champion of Engagement Award, and in 2011 while at CMU as the CMU Distinguished Professor of the Year awardee, and nominee to the President’s Council, State Universities of Michigan, Michigan Professor of the Year.

Patty has worked professionally for various HTM organizations, her greatest tenure with the Marriott Corporation where her career path included event and restaurant management, marketing and sales management, and training. Although in a full-time academic career, she continues her work within the tourism industry through consulting projects with various nonprofit and for-profit industry organizations including the community of Grand Haven, The Downtown Market, Oakland County Parks and Recreation, Binder Park Zoo, Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry, Make-A-Wish Michigan, the National Cherry Festival, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

Her writing and research have focused on developing effective marketing and event strategies, training, and quality of work-life issues.  One of her over 40 publications includes a textbook titled, “Marketing in Leisure and Tourism: Reaching New Heights”.  In the past 15 years, she has also conducted over 100 professional presentations. 

Education:
B.A. in Recreation & Park Administration (Commercial), Central Michigan University
M.S.A. in Administration, Central Michigan University
Ph.D. in Parks, Recreation & Tourism Resources, Michigan State University

Scholarship and Service:

Service is central to Patty’s experience having served and now serving on various state and national boards (including both the 2002 and 2007 Travel Michigan Strategic Plans), and seeing to fruition the development of a 100% volunteer program bringing tourism professionals and organizations together to enhance historic, cultural and natural attractions in Michigan.  Since 2013 Patty has led the effort for over 4,300 tourism industry volunteers to give back at 45 different attractions in Michigan, saving these sites in excess of $1.1M in labor and supplies in a non-profit (501-C3) organization, Michigan Cares for Tourism (MC4T).  MC4T has been recognized for their efforts with the 2022, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer of the Year Award, the 2018 College of Community and Public Service (CCPS), Emerging Community Engagement Initiative Award, the 2016 National Association of State Park Directors – President’s Award, the 2016 Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism Innovative Tourism Collaboration Award, and the 2014 Michigan Department of Natural Resources Partners in Conservation Award.

Outside of the Classroom:
Patty is a mother of three college students and as result of her recent empty nest, is re-learning what she enjoys most.  Living by and spending time on the water is her passion.  Combine this with being active outside with jogging, biking, paddling and tennis and she’s glad to now call West Michigan home.