Our Leaders of the Center
At the Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery at the University of Central Florida Rosen College of Hospitality Management, our leadership team is committed to understanding and addressing these global challenges. Through community engagement, research, education, and training, we seek solutions to combat human trafficking and modern slavery. We support future leaders of hospitality and tourism management industries, aiming not just to study but to actively implement change.
Executive Director, UCF Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
Phone: 407.903.8018
RCHM Room: 109
BIOGRAPHY
Jessica Wickey Byrd is a double UCF alumnus, graduating with her master’s degree in hospitality and tourism management from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management in 2013 and her doctorate in Educational Leadership, with a focus on Higher Education in 2024 from the College of Innovation and Education. Her collegiate journey has been a lifelong dream. Dr. Wickey Byrd is a first-generation college student, and the first ever in her family to earn a doctoral degree.
Dr. Wickey Byrd has 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including restaurants, resorts, events, convention centers, non-profit fundraising, and live entertainment.
Dr. Wickey Byrd leads a team of faculty, staff, and student assistants to manage all recruitment at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management – directing 3,000 undergraduate’s students’ careers goals and aspirations. Her goal is for students to find the best version of themselves, and find passion and purpose in their future careers.
As Director of the Internship Program, Dr. Wickey Byrd launched human trafficking education in the Summer of 2020, creating robust curriculum to enhance the student’s internship education. Since inception, she has collectively educated more than 5,700 students to be able to identify and report human trafficking in their workplaces within the hospitality and tourism industry.
Dr. Wickey Byrd has presented on numerous panels including Florida Attorney General Ashely Moody’s Human Trafficking Summit, Florida Department of Health with Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, UCF Police Department, Valencia College School of Public Safety, The Valencia College Peace and Justice Institute, and other anti-trafficking advocates.
Currently, Dr. Wickey Byrd is a member of the Greater Orlando Human Trafficking Task Force; she chairs the Central Florida National Academy Foundation’s Advisory Board for high schools with hospitality and tourism programs and works with WorldOrlando and the US Department of State to combat trafficking globally.
In 2024, she was announced as the Executive Director of the UCF Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery. In this role, she will advance all anti-trafficking efforts for the college. The Center aims to be the global center of excellence in gathering and disseminating information to the community at large. Education, research, and community engagement are the pillars of the center, to be a resource for all anti-trafficking activities.
Dr. Wickey Byrd is an avid sailor, completing her pilot’s license and enjoys volunteering in the community, spending time with her husband Greg.
Director of Research, UCF Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Gary Deel is a polymath with a strong record of career success in several industries including hospitality management, higher education, legal work, and professional consulting, and a mastery of knowledge in several other academic areas including aerospace studies, psychology, sociology, and criminal justice
Gary has spent more than 15 years as a professor at various institutions, including Valencia College, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Colorado Technical University (CTU), Kaplan University, the Art Institutes (Ai), the University of Central Florida (UCF), American Public University System (APUS), Colorado State University (CSU), and University of Florida (UFL), and Thomas University (TU). Gary has developed and taught courses in business, hospitality, leadership, ethics, law, professionalism, sales and marketing, engineering, maintenance, culinary arts, human resources, space studies, astronomy, and other academic areas. Gary currently serves as Professor for the APUS School of Business, and as Adjunct Professor for the hospitality and business programs at UCF, CSU, UFL, and Thomas University.
Prior to and concurrent with Gary’s academic work, he spent nearly ten years in hospitality management and leadership working for prestigious companies including Disney, Rosen Hotels, Picsolve, Merlin Entertainments, and Wynn Resorts. Gary has also worked in the legal arena as an attorney, consultant, and expert witness, assisting lawyers with a variety of hospitality-related litigation support services.
Gary holds 14 college degrees including two doctoral degrees, six master’s degrees, three bachelor’s degrees, and three associate’s degrees in various different subjects. Gary has also held a multitude of licenses and industry certifications, including bar licenses in Florida, Nevada, and the District of Columbia, and dozens of professional credentials.
Finally, Gary is an accomplished author, having published more than 500 blogs, podcasts, videos, and peer-reviewed articles for various media outlets and platforms. He has also been interviewed for newspapers, magazines, periodicals, podcasts, and televised news segments.
Director of Community Engagement, UCF Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
Room: NSCM 253
BIOGRAPHY
Emmy-award-winning visual storyteller Tricia Ellen Connelly has touched the lives of thousands with her work producing a rich vein of public-media content, focusing primarily on education. Now researching and instructing at the University of Central Florida, she is helping elevate the next generation of content creators. When she was with PBS, Tricia met and worked with her late mentor, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Bersia. He ingrained into her the credo: “you don’t choose to fight human trafficking, it chooses you.” Tricia believes strongly that everyone can use their own skill sets to help fight against trafficking. As part of her master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, Tricia worked with survivor Tina Kadolph, sociologist Dr. Hugh Potter, and cyber security expert Dr. Ted Reynolds to propose content-driven anti-human trafficking strategies. Their focus aimed at analyzing and improving existing media efforts related to trafficking. Their efforts also sought to engage a larger, more diverse audience. Tricia’s work in this crucial arena has only just begun and she is determined to continue making an impact through content creation and collaboration.
Project Manager, UCF Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
Our Advisory Board
We thank our advisory board members for joining our efforts and vision to be the universal platform for gathering and disseminating education, research, and community partnerships to combat human trafficking and modern slavery.
Dr. Jessica Wickey
Executive Director, UCF Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery; Director, Internship Program; Associate Lecturer, Tourism, Event/Entertainment, and Attractions
Dr. Gary Deel
Director of Research, UCF Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery; Educator, Attorney, Author, and Research Academic
Tricia Connelly
Director of Community Engagement, UCF Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery; Instructor, Nicholson School of Communication
Dr. Jeffery Goltz
Dean, School of Public Safety, Legal Studies & Education, Valencia College
Tina Kadolph
Co-founder and President, Love Missions Global
Olivia Littleton
Anti-Trafficking Supervisor, One More Child
Ezekiel McKine
Regional Advocate II, FLITE Center
Kimberly Brewster
TEAM ADAM Consultant, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Misti Spencer
Certified Personal, Professional and Business Development Coach
Kyle Trager
Director of Development, UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Holly Robbins
Manager of Marketing and Communications, UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Mayara Martines
Project Manager, UCF Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery; Graduate Assistant, UCF Transfer Center
Alan Wilkett
Law Enforcment (RET) Sergeant and Human Trafficking Consultant
Dr. Doug Gilmer
Law Enforcment Veteran and Founder & CEO, Resolved Strategies
Please consider supporting the UCF HTMS Center by purchasing a copy of the comprehensive human trafficking textbook “Human Trafficking: A Systemwide Public Safety and Community Approach”. All proceeds go to support the HTMS Center and its anti-trafficking efforts. Save 15% with code HESTUDENT at checkout. You can find the book here.
For more information, you can contact us at HTMSCenter@ucf.edu.