ESU Names Its First Fulbright Scholar-In-Residence for 2021

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania has announced its first Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (S-I-R) for the 2021-2022 academic year. Dr. Claire Lu, currently the director and chair of the department and graduate school of tourism management for the business school at the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan, will join ESU’s hospitality program for Fall 2021.

“Dr. Lu has a tremendous background in hospitality and we look forward to having her bring new experiences and excitement to our program,” said Sylvester Williams, J.D., dean of ESU’s college of business and management. “She brings depth to the student educational experience based on her own background with organizations like American Airlines and China Airlines as well as her knowledge base that includes certification in food baking, wine and spirits, tea, guest services and more.”

Dr. Lu earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the National Cheng-Chi University, a master’s degree in education and human development from George Washington University, a doctorate from Rutgers University and a second doctorate from the School of International Business Management at the Chinese Culture University in Taiwan. Her areas of specific expertise are service quality inspection for airlines and hotels, Asian food and beverage preparation and tourism human resources allocation. Lu also has significant publication experience and has attended/presented at symposiums and research conferences around the globe.

ESU was selected by the Institute of International Education’s Council for International Exchange Scholars to host a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence (S-I-R) in 2020 but put plans for an S-I-R on hold during the first year of the COVID pandemic. The Fulbright S-I-R Program assists U.S. higher education institutions in expanding programs of academic exchange, by supporting non-U.S. scholars through grants for teaching at institutions that might not have strong international component and/or serve minority audiences. Both the U.S. institution and the scholar grantee benefit from this experience.

As ESU’s S-I-R, Lu will teach courses in Perspectives of International Tourism and Meeting and Convention Planning and Management at ESU, based on her expertise in the field of travel and tourism management.

“Exposing our students to an international scholar will provide valuable insights to new perspectives and critical issues occurring in the international realm,” said Dr. Williams. “Many businesses engaged in the tourism industry have clients and customers from all over the world. Our students will gain a global perspective, allowing them to understand cultural differences. The S-I-R will help to build a culture of international awareness for ESU students as it relates to tourism.”

According to Williams, Lu will be invited to join numerous campus colloquia for discussions and presentations, and will begin the academic year with a formal lecture to the campus community on the topic of current international travel and tourism trends and development. She will lead informal discussions with the ESU Honors Program, join the Hospitality Club in attending the annual Hotel Experience Trade Show in New York City, speak during the Eta Sigma Delta, International Hospitality Honor Society induction ceremony, and participate in ESU’s annual Global Week activities.

Lu will also help ESU fulfill a short-term goal to create a Global Living Learning Community in its residence halls to provide opportunities for ESU students to live with other students from diverse cultural backgrounds and countries. The scholar will act in capacity of a mentor for the Global Living Learning Community, which will help achieve a long-term goal of opening ESU to the wider global community.

For more information about the Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Program at ESU please contact Dr. Williams at 570-422-3589 or email swilliams@esu.edu.

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