Kathleen Drohan

Kathleen Drohan has been an Associate Professor at Johnson & Wales University (JWU) since 2000, affiliated with the College of Hospitality Management and the International Travel & Tourism Studies department. Before academia, she spent 15 years in the recreation, travel & tourism, and event planning industries. Her expertise focuses on experiential learning and leadership development through university-community partnerships, including global travel practicums and local projects with the Providence Parks Department and National Park Service. She is also involved in organizing events like Providence’s Day One 5K.

• Education:
• M.A.T., Johnson & Wales University
• B.S., University of Rhode Island

Her research and teaching interests span sport tourism, adventure and nature-based tourism, geography for hospitality, voluntourism, and leadership in recreation. She emphasizes applying theoretical knowledge through real-world projects, such as her South Africa Study Abroad program and Project S.H.E. (Sports, Health, Education).

As a faculty advisor, she supports JWU’s travel club and women’s basketball team. She serves on the board of directors for the Partnership for Providence Parks and previously organized the inaugural Midnight Madness event, now a university tradition. Her professional affiliations include the National Recreation and Parks Association and the Adventure Travel Trade Association.

Dr. Drohan’s work highlights the importance of networking and community engagement, as seen in her students’ involvement with Grass Roots Soccer in South Africa and subsequent opportunities at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. She advises incoming freshmen to actively engage in campus clubs and industry networks to build professional connections.