Elizabeth Covino

Elizabeth Covino serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Sports, Entertainment, and Event Management within Johnson & Wales University's College of Hospitality & Business in Providence. With faculty tenure since 1997, she brings 17+ years of prior higher education administration experience from Framingham State College, Bryant University, and Johnson & Wales University (in Student Activities roles). Her current responsibilities include teaching core event management courses and advising the Special Events Society student chapter.

Her academic credentials include:

• Master of Science, Springfield College
• Bachelor of Arts, University of Connecticut

Professor Covino's expertise centers on practical event execution across weddings, concerts, corporate functions, and protocol-driven ceremonies. Her research examines pandemic adaptation strategies, event sustainability frameworks, and economic impacts of event industries—translated directly into classroom projects where students plan real events from weddings to trade shows. Recent work investigates virtual/hybrid event models and crisis management protocols.

Her 2017-2020 media contributions reveal consistent focus on industry transformation during global crises, particularly pandemic responses in catering and event sectors, alongside perennial topics like wedding traditions and state funeral protocols. These publications demonstrate applied research bridging academic theory and operational practice.

Key recognitions include:

• Faculty of the Year, College of Hospitality Management (2018)
• Club Advisor of the Year, International Live Events Association (2018)

She actively mentors students through the Directed Experiential Education program, connecting them with organizations like the Blackstone Valley Tourism Association and Rhode Island ILEA Chapter for hands-on consulting. Her advising philosophy emphasizes 'symbiotic learning' where classroom theory meets real-world execution, with student teams conducting event audits, sustainability analyses, and feasibility studies. The Special Events Society under her guidance provides direct industry access through volunteering at national events including World Golf Championships.

Though not leading a formal research laboratory, her DEE projects function as dynamic training hubs where students develop event management competencies through community partnerships. Current initiatives focus on post-pandemic event innovation and sustainable practice integration.