Melissa Baker

Dr. Baker is an award winning teacher having been recognized as a 2020 Poets & Quants Favorite Business Professor, the 2021 UMass Amherst Distinguished Teaching Award (the first woman from Isenberg to every receive this award), and the 2023 International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education Award for Teaching Excellence (representing 350 institutions and 120,000 students worldwide).  She is an avid supporter of Women of Isenberg, having participated in almost every conference since the very first year! 

She is the Department Chair for the Hospitality and Tourism Management Department and teaches classes ranging from first year RAP (Business in Global Society), customer experience management, leadership and organizational behavior, and human resources management.  She has also co-led many of Isenberg’s short-term study abroad programs including Business in Italy and Isenberg Culture and Tourism Management in Europe. Dr. Baker believes the “business of hospitality” and creating outstanding customer experiences is vital for every business and career and encourages students to take her class or double major to enhance their personal brand and competitive advantage!