Debbie Howarth

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Professor, Chair for Business Programs

17�Թ�� Faculty Since 2004

Contact Info

Email: debbie.howarth@jwu.edu
Phone: 401-598-1484
Campus: Providence

Debbie Howarth is a professor in the Marketing department. Previously, she served as the interim assistant dean for the College of Business (now the College of Hospitality & Business).

Howarth’s path at 17�Թ�� began with 16 years of teaching sales, marketing and technology courses. Before that she taught marketing, advertising, and business communications courses at Massachusetts Bay Community College.

Howarth brings to the college more than 15 years of experience in the retail, healthcare and hospitality/tourism industries, including having held management positions in operations and hotel sales & marketing.

In addition, Howarth has served on the board of directors for several business and hospitality associations, as well as advisory and steering committees in the hospitality and tourism industries.

Education

Ed.D., Curriculum and Teaching: Educational Media & Technology, Boston University
M.H.A., Hospitality Administration, University of Nevada
B.S., Small Business Management, University of Vermont

“My areas of expertise include sales, marketing, advertising and information technology. I am experienced in developing relationships between the university, its students, and the business community.”

Courses

MRKT 5500: Strategic Marketing (Graduate Program)
MRKT 3050: Contemporary Sales in the Global Economy
MRKT 3005: Brand Marketing
MRKT 1001: Marketing Foundations

Professional Affiliations

American Marketing Association, 2020-present
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 1995-present
Faculty Membership/Past President of Two Chapters, Board of Directors, Treasurer
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), 2010-present

CERTIFICATIONS:
1998: Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Certified Hospitality Marketing Executive
2010: Boston University Program Planning, Management, Monitoring & Evaluation (P-PMME) Graduate Certificate
2014 (Expires 2024): Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Certified Hospitality Digital Marketer

Publications

Howarth, D.C. (2017). An Analysis of Pathway Programs and Social Integration in the Retention of International Chinese College Students: A Case Study Approach. Boston University, ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2017. 10278901.
Howarth, D.C. (2017). “Chinese College Students, Pathway Programs & Social Integration Persistence Study,” 2017 TESOL Doctoral Research Forum., Seattle, WA.

Q&A with Debbie

At 17�Թ��, education is not confined to the four walls of the classroom. You’re not going to spend four years with your nose buried in a book, learning theories you may never get a chance to apply — you’re going to get out there and apply them, be it through internships, group projects, leadership opportunities, competitions and more.

How Did You Get Started?

I was a board member for a marketing association in Boston and I met a professor in the College of Hospitality Management at 17�Թ��. She invited me to her class as a guest lecturer, and I enjoyed connecting with students. I was pursuing my master’s degree at the time and my professor put me in touch with a community college nearby, and I started teaching business courses there. A year later I joined Johnson & Wales as an adjunct professor, then the following year they hired me as an assistant professor. 2022 marks my 20th year in higher education.

What Is Your Favorite Teaching Moment?

I have two favorites.

The first is when we are going over a course topic and students can apply the concept to their lives. The course topic shifts from theory to reality.

The second is when sophomores, juniors, and seniors return from an internship, and they now see how the classroom theory is applied in the field. This helps them to see how they fit in their major and helps them to fine-tune their interests and plans going forward.

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