Po-Ju Chen
Associate Professor of Hospitality Services, Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Highlighted Faculty Name: Po-Ju Chen, PhD
Current Position: Associate Professor
Years at UCF: 9 years (Since August 2002)
PhD: The Pennsylvania State University
Since joining UCF in 2002, Dr. Chen has focused on community outreach, both nationally and internationally, and served as the 2010 President of the Florida/Caribbean Chapter of Council of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Educators (CHRIE). She is also a Faculty Associate to the UCF Office of International Studies, Rosen College International-Affairs-Committee Chair, and member of various university committees.
Her research in social psychology with emphasis on organizational behaviors, sustainability, and cross-cultural studies, published in several leading journals, has earned numerous scholastic awards and has received over 300 citations. She has received the UCF Excellence in Research Award as well as the 2009 Emerald LiteratiNetwork Highly Commended Award.
Dr. Chen is currently working to apply hospitality principals to other disciplines including healthcare and life stages research. This effort was inspired by her late brother (陳炫宇) who lost a prolonged struggle with cancer in 2010. Upon learning of her brother’s condition in 2009, she devoted memorable hours at her brother’s bedside in various healthcare facilities, including Taiwan’s Veterans Hospital. The experience left her with a first-hand understanding of how the personal care, warmth, and professionalism of hospitality services could improve the healthcare system.
Dr. Chen’s accomplishments include the 2007 Teaching Incentive Program award, earned for applying innovative teaching techniques/strategies to enhance student learning. She is the recipient of the 2012/2013 Fulbright Scholar Lecture Award to Denmark.
Dr. Chen wishes to thank her colleagues for their friendships and support, with personal recognition of Dr. Fevzi Okumus for nomination.
