For over two decades, Dr. Kara Wolfe, director of the School of Hospitality and Agricultural Leadership at Missouri State University, has dedicated her life to advancing hospitality and tourism education.

For her contributions, she received the prestigious International Society of Travel and Tourism Educators (ISTTE) Martin Opperman Lifetime Achievement Award at its 44th annual conference. It took place Oct. 22-24 at Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland.

Celebrating excellence and service

ISTTE is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the quality of education and research in the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. Since its establishment in 1980, it has promoted the exchange of information and ideas, while providing outstanding service to members.

The Martin Opperman Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the ISTTE and the broader field of tourism education.

“It was an honor to get the award. I’ve been an ISTTE member since 2000 and have served as both editor of the Journal of Teaching in Travel and Tourism and as a board member. Being recognized for my active involvement in the organization was especially meaningful,” Wolfe said.

A long and successful career

Wolfe began her teaching career at North Dakota State University in 2002, where she taught for nine years. She has held various positions, including chair of the family and consumer sciences department at Bradley University in Illinois. In 2022, she joined Missouri State.

Reflecting on her long career, she described how some of her most meaningful moments have come from her students’ successes.

“I’ve had some of my graduate and undergraduate students win research awards. I found it rewarding to mentor them and see their work recognized by others,” she said.

Wolfe believes students are co-creators of knowledge, whose experiences offer valuable opportunities for learning.

“I try to make sure my classes are collaborative and engaging through discussions and other interactive activities. That’s an important part of learning,” she said.

Preparing the next generation of hospitality leaders

Advancements in technology have transformed the hospitality and tourism industry, affecting both operations and education.

“Guest expectations have increased with technological advancements, so we’re teaching students to be proficient with current technologies — whether it’s AI or systems that keep track of guest experiences — while staying up to date with industry trends,” Wolfe said.

She encourages hospitality and tourism educators to stay open to new ideas and embrace learning from their students as much as their students learn from them.

Wolfe believes all aspects of hospitality and tourism make the world a better place.

“The industry offers an opportunity to experience different cultures, share stories and be more compassionate and caring about humankind,” she said.

Her 20-plus-year career has left a lasting impact by guiding students to embrace this value. She has taught and inspired them to create experiences that bring people together across communities and cultures.

Explore the School of Hospitality and Agricultural Leadership