Purdue HTM Welcomes Julie Tkach

Two millennial women female friends sitting outdoors eating takeaway food, laughing and having fun. Food delivery and takeout.

Author: Abby Lillpop

Purdue’s White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management proudly welcomes Julie Tkach as a new faculty member. Julie brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the program, having spent over twelve years managing food service and nutritional departments across various sectors, including restaurants, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and higher education. Her entrepreneurial spirit complements her diverse background, demonstrated through her experience running a small catering business.

A graduate of The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University, Julie earned her BA, MS, and PhD from the institution. She has taught in higher education for almost 20 years, most recently at South Dakota State University in the Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management Program. There, she also served on the board of directors for the South Dakota Hotel and Lodging Association.

Julie’s research interests include decision-making in hospitality management, student learning in cross-department teams, leadership development in student-run clubs, and emotional intelligence. Her dedication to education was recognized with the 2022 Teacher of the Year award at her previous institution.

At Purdue, Julie is eager to bring innovative, hands-on activities to her classes, including HTM32200 -02: Hospitality Facilities Management, HTM29101: Quantity Food Production & Service Lab, and HTM49201: Hospitality Operation Management and Leadership Lab. She is excited to contribute to the legacy and impact of Purdue’s HTM program and looks forward to connecting students with lifelong opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industry.