Expertise: Hospitality Service, Aging population and Generational Cohorts, Relationship and Experience Marketing, Health Care

Dr. Zhong is a member of the Disability Aging &Technology Cluster and an Assistant Professor at Rosen College of Hospitality Management at UCF. Since her appointment, she has helped develop the new Bachelor of Science degree in Senior Living Management and actively engaged with industry partners such as Florida Senior Living Association, Westminster Communities of Florida, Brookdale, Holiday Retirement, Harbor Chase, Legacy Point, and LIFE at UCF.

Academically trained as a scholar in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Dr. Zhong’s original research interests include hospitality service, relationship and experience marketing, generational cohorts and aging population. With recent years of interdisciplinary work, her research interests evolve into the area of bridging hospitality service, gerontology and health care. She is currently pursuing two streams of research: 1) issues related to aging population, intergenerational workforce, health care in the context of hospitality and tourism; 2) applying hospitality concepts in the contexts of senior living and health care.

Dr. Zhong has published in premium peer-reviewed academic journals, such as International Journal of Hospitality Management, International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research, and Tourism Analysis. She also serves as a reviewer for hospitality and tourism journals as well as journals from other disciples such as Journal of Business Research and BMC Public Health.

Dr. Zhong has been actively engaging in industry and government grants. She has successfully completed grants sponsored by Florida State Department of Health, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership, and Aruba Tourism Authority.

Before joining UCF, Dr. Zhong has held other academic appointments at California State University, Long Beach and University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Dr. Zhong received her Ph.D. degree in Hospitality Administration from UNLV and Master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from UCF. She also received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and English from Ji Nan University, China.

Honors/Awards:

• UCF AIM HIGH Recognition Award (2020)
• Most Inspirational Professor Award by California State University Long Beach Alumni Association (2017)
• Certificate of Recognition in Contribution, California State University Educational Opportunity Program (2017)

• First Place Award for Poster Presentation, UNLV’s Graduate and Professional Student Association Research Forum (2013).
• Best Paper Award at the 17th Annual Graduate Students Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism (2012).

Courses Taught at the Rosen College:

HFT 3540: Guest Service Management I

HFT 3224: Hospitality Management and Leadership