Dr. Shapoval has been a faculty member at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management since August 2016. She earned her Ph.D. from Rosen College at UCF, and holds a master’s degree in applied statistics from Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, as well as a Big Data Analyst certificate from UCF’s College of Sciences. Dr. Shapoval also holds additional master’s and undergraduate degrees in education and psychology from Kersonsky State University in Ukraine. Prior to her academic career, she worked in the hotel and banking industries for over twelve years.
Her primary research focuses on well-being, emotional wellness, occupational health, and the integration of AI/Robotics. Dr. Shapoval’s teaching expertise includes leadership, strategy, marketing, human resources management, and well-being. She has also taught graduate-level strategic marketing at IULM University in Milan, Italy. In her research, she employs a range of methodologies, from qualitative and observational studies to advanced statistical analysis and big data analytics. Her work has been published in top-tier journals, including Annals of Tourism Research, Journal of Travel Research, International Journal of Hospitality Management, Tourism Management Perspectives, and Workplace Health and Safety Journal, among others.
Dr. Shapoval has presented at numerous academic conferences and industry events, delivering keynote speeches both in the U.S. and internationally. She has been involved in several research grants, including a recent project funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, titled Targeted Research Training in Occupational Safety and Health, as part of the USF Sunshine Education & Research Center. Dr. Shapoval has also chaired many master’s committees and several Ph.D. student committees, guiding them through their academic journeys.
She currently serves as the managing editor of the International Journal of Hospitality Management and is a member of the editorial boards of Tourism Economics and the International Journal of Tourism Research.