Curriculum Vitae: Vernetta Kosalka

CURRICULUM VITAE


CURRICULUM VITAE

Vernetta B. Kosalka
Ed.D., CHE
 

 

 

EDUCATION

  • May 2021
    Ed.D., College of Saint Mary, Doctor of Education
    Dissertation: “Examination of Factors Impacting Culinary Arts Student Persistence”  
    Committee: Dr. Pamela Humphrey, Dr. Jaqueline Almquist, and Dr. Whitney Rubin

  • May 2007
    M.S., College of Saint Mary, Master of Science: Organizational Leadership 
    Thesis: “Women of Color in Leadership”  
    Advisor: Dr. Tammy Mehr 

  • B.S., College of Saint Mary, Bachelor of Science 
    Dual Major: Business Administration and Computer Information Management 
    Minor in Marketing

 

 

HONORS AND AWARDS

  • 2022-Present  
    Director of Industry Relations, Central Federation Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education 

  • 2024               
    Completion of MAC Xcelerator (MAC-X) Program, Midlands African Chamber, Omaha, NE

  • 2017               
    Alumni Achievement Award Recipient, College of Saint Mary 

  • 2003               
    Heart of the Walking Women Honor -highest honor for graduating class, College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE  

  • 2016               
    Spirit of Blue, Omaha Police Department, Omaha, NE  

  • 2015               
    Volunteer of the Year, Ralston Chamber of Commerce, Ralston, NE  

  • 2013-2017      
    WeddingWire Couple's Choice Award 

  • 2012, 2010     
    Budget Beaters Award – Marriott 

  • 2009               
    Top 25% Guest Satisfaction Scores – Marriott

 

 

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

  • Kosalka, V. (2023) HRTM 483 Hospitality Finance – A Peer Review of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio. UNL Faculty Portfolios  

  • Kosalka, V. (2021) Examination of Factors Impacting Culinary Arts Student Persistence. College of Saint Mary ProQuest Dissertations Publishing  [28493729] 

  • Dissertation, College of Saint Mary, Doctor of Education (May 2021) Dissertation: “Examination of Factors Impacting Culinary Arts Student Persistence” Advisor: Dr. Pamela Humphrey, Committee: Dr. Jaqueline Almquist and Dr. Whitney Rubin 

  • Thesis, College of Saint Mary, Master of Science: Organizational Leadership May Research: “Women of Color in Leadership” Advisor: Dr. Tammy Mehr (2007) 

 

 

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION, BELONGING (DEIB)

  • Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2024 

    • Hospitality DEIB Module: HRTM 171 Introduction to Hospitality Management, University of  ebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE  

  • Hospitality DEIB Project-Based Learning Activity; Live Event Planning Project, North Omaha, NE & HRTM 289 Introduction to Event Planning, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 

 

 

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE  

    • 2022-Present: Assistant Professor of Practice: Hospitality, Restaurant, & Tourism Management 

      • HRTM 171 Introduction to Hospitality, (3c); Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2024, Spring 2025 

      • HRTM 289 Introduction to Events, (3c); Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2024, Spring 2025 

      • HRTM 483 Hospitality Financial Management, (3c); Fall 2022, Spring 2023 

      • HRTM 172 Field Experience in Hospitality Management, (3c); Fall 2022  

      • HRTM 397 Internship in Hospitality Management Supervision, (3c); Fall 2022 

      • HRTM 476 Internship in Hospitality Management, (3c); Fall 2022, Spring 2023, Fall 2024, Spring 2025 

    • 2023-Present: Graduate Lecturer Appointment 

      • HRTM 876 Internship in Hospitality Management, (3c) 

      • HRTM 883 Hospitality Financial Management, (3c) 

      • HRTM 885 Advanced Lodging Operations, (3c) 

      • HRTM 889 Advanced Event Operations, (3c) 

      • HRTM 874 Food and Beverage Management, (3c) 

  • Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE

    • Fall 2022, Winter 2023: Instructor; Academic Success Departments 

      • EXPL 1000 Exploratory Studies, (4.5c)  

    • Fall 2017-Fall 2021: Instructor; Culinary, Hospitality, Horticulture 

      • CHRM 1550 Customer Service, (3c) 

      • CHRM 2980 Student Manager, (3c) 

      • CHRM 2465 Food Service Financial Management, (4.5c) 

      • CHRM 2410 Marketing and Industry Perspectives, (3c) 

    • Fall 2017-Spring 2021: Instructor; Culinary, Hospitality, Horticulture 

      • CHRM 1010 Culinary Math, (3c) 

    • 2018-Present: Program Coordinator; Event & Wedding Planning, Non-Credit Certificate 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Event Planning Business - Increasing Sales 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Wedding and Event Trends 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Building a Culture of Creative Thinking 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Designing Event Backdrops 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Event Design and Floral Artistry 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Event Destination Management 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Meeting Management 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Negotiating Event Contracts and Agreements 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Entrepreneurship Series: Wedding Planning Business 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Financial Management 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Event Coordination + Production 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Catering – Food and Beverage Logistics 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Marketing – Establishing a Social Media Presence 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Event Crisis Communication 

      • Event + Wedding Planning: Sophistical 2020 Tall Centerpieces 

      • Culinary Arts: Paired Dinner: Regional Cuisines (Sangria + Tapas) 

      • Culinary Arts: Paired Dinner: Holiday Hosting + Napkin Folding 

      • Culinary Arts: Historical Pairing Studio: Titanic, The Last Dinner

  • Bellevue University, Omaha, NE

    • 2017-2018: Adjunct Instructor: Business Administration and Hospitality Management

      • MGMT 405 Organizational Behavior, (4c) Fall 2017-Spring 2018 

      • HMGT 410 Managing the Customer Experience, (4c) Fall 2017-Spring 2018

 

 

PUBLICATIONS

  • Research 

    • Kosalka, V. (2023) HRTM 483 Hospitality Finance – A Peer Review of Teaching Project Benchmark Portfolio. UNL Faculty Portfolios  

    • Kosalka, V. (2021) Examination of Factors Impacting Culinary Arts Student Persistence. College of Saint Mary ProQuest Dissertations Publishing,  [28493729] 

  • eBooks 

    • 2018 eBook series (unpublished): VK Education: Event + Wedding Planning 

  • Magazine/Web Articles 

    • May 2024  
      Nebraska Today: “Painting the town in goodwill” 

    • August 2023
      Strictly Business Omaha: “River City Six Feature, Dr. Vernetta Kosalka, Florist of Omaha” 

    • July 2023
      Strictly Business Omaha: “Florals and More with The Wedding Planner Omaha: Dr.  Vernetta Kosalka” 

    • August 2022
      College of Saint Mary’s Journeys Magazine: Graduate Programs, Building Success 

    • 2007, 2013, 2020, 2022
      Midlands Business Journals 

    • Winter 2017
      Omaha Magazine: B2B 

    • 2009-2017
      Nebraska Wedding Day Magazines 

 

 

PRESENTATIONS AND INVITED LECTURES

  • April 2023  
    Exhibitor: Nebraska Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America Conference, Lincoln, NE 

  • March 2023
    Presenter: Women in Science Conference, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE

  • March 2023  
    Presenter: Women of Color in the Workplace Panel Discussion, College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE 

  • January 2023 
    Commissioned Floral Artist: Cathedral Flower Show, Cathedral Art Project, Omaha, NE 

  • October 2021
    Presenter: The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Annual Fall Virtual Conference, Online 

  • September 2021 
    Panelist: Metropolitan Community College Student Leadership Conference, Omaha, NE 

  • September 2021 
    Panelist: National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Omaha Chapter, Omaha, NE 

  • July 2021  
    Presenter: Academic Advisor’s Conference, Metropolitan Community College, “Examination of Factors Impacting Culinary Arts Student Persistence”, Omaha, NE 

  • June 2021
    Guest Lecturer: Higher Education Customer Service Workshop, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE  

  • May 2021
    Presenter: Culinary Arts Management Class-Event Planning Class, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE 

  • December 2020 
    Keynote Speaker: Winter Commencement Keynote Address, College of Saint Mary, Omaha, NE 

  • October 2019  
    Mistress of Ceremonies: Student Leadership Conference, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE 

  • October 2017  
    Presenter: Student Leadership Conference, Metropolitan Community College, “Power of Personal Branding,” Student Leadership Conference, Omaha, NE   

 

 

CERTIFICATIONS / PROFESSIONAL TRAINING

  • June 2024 
    American Hotel and Lodging Education Institute (AHLEI) Certified Hospitality Educator, Omaha, NE 

  • July 2023 
    Participant: International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE) Summer Conference, Phoenix, AZ 

  • 2022-Present 
    Participant: Faculty-led Inquiry into Reflective and Scholarly Teaching (FIRST), Lincoln, NE 

  • 2021-2022 
    Participant: Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE 

  • August 2021 
    Attendee: Institute for Career Advancement Women’s Conference, Omaha, NE 

  • April 2021
    Participant: National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, Online Conference 

  • 2020-Present
    Candidate: Certified Meeting Planner, Events Industry Council 

  • May 2019
    Instructor (Level 1): National Restaurant Association/American Culinary Federation, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 

  • 2018-Present
    Participant: Certified Mental Health First Aid Professional, Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE  

  • 2017-Present
    Participant: Instructor and Proctor: Certified ServeSafe, National Restaurant Association

  • 2017-Present 
    Instructor: Certified ManageFirst Instructor, National Restaurant Association, Omaha, NE 

  • June 2017 
    Participant: Certified Meeting Planning Professional, Marriott Hotels, New Orleans, LA 

  • May 2007 
    Participant: Certified Government Meeting Planner Professional, Marriott Hotels 

  • 2003  
    Certified Mixologist: Omaha Bartending School, Omaha, NE 

 

 

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

  • 2023-Present
    Director of Industry Relations: Central CHRIE Federation  

  • 2023-Present 
    Advisor: Hospitality Student Development Organization, University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

  • 2021-2022 
    Member: Path Forward Career Exploration Committee, Metropolitan Community College

  • 2020-2022 
    Member: Path Forward Committee, Metropolitan Community College 

  • 2018-2022 
    Member: Hiring Committee, Metropolitan Community College 

  • 2020-2022  
    Member: Culinary Arts Accreditation Committee, Metropolitan Community College

  • 2020-2022 
    Member: Sustainability Planning Committee, Metropolitan Community College

  • 2019, 2020 
    Co-Organizer: Student Leadership Conference, Metropolitan Community College

  • 2017-2018 
    Member: Student Engagement Council Planning Committee, Metropolitan Community College  

  • 2019-2022 
    Advisor: Skills USA, Metropolitan Community College

  • 2018-2022 
    Board Member: Advisor Board, Metropolitan Community College

  • 2017-2019 
    Board Member: Advisory Board, Hospitality Management, Bellevue University

  • 2018-2019 
    Subject Matter Expert: Hospitality Management, Bellevue University

 

 

MEMBERSHIPS / COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • 2022-Present Board Member: 
    College of Saint Mary Board of Directors 

  • 2022-Present 
    Member: Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education 

  • 2022-Present 
    Member: Omaha (NE) Chapter of The Links Incorporated 

  • 2022-Present 
    Member: National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity 

  • 2022-Present 
    Member: American Hotel Lodging Education Institute Association 

  • 2020-Present 
    Member: The National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development 

  • 2020-Present 
    Member: Events Industry Council 

  • 2020-2022 
    Member: National Association of Catering Executives 

  • 2017-2022 
    Member: American Culinary Federation 

  • 2017-2024 
    Member: Lauritzen Gardens Guild 

  • 2016-2019 
    Member: Society of American Florist 

  • 2013-2019
    Board Member: Ralston Chamber 

  • 2015-2017
    Special Events Chair: Sarpy County Chamber 

  • 2004-2016, 2022-2023
    Member: Greater Omaha Chamber 

  • 2003-Present
    Member: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority

 

 

WORK EXPERIENCE

  • 2022-Present 
    Assistant Professor of Practice      
    University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 

  • 2007, 2018-2022
    Banquet & Services Manager, Instructor 
    Metropolitan Community College, Omaha, NE  

  • 2018-2019
    Adjunct Instructor        
    Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE

  • 2014-2016
    Director of Sales & Marketing 
    Regency Lodge Omaha, NE

  • 2009-2024
    Owner | Director of Events and Design     
    The Wedding Planner Omaha, LLC dba Florist of Omaha

  • 2007-2013
    Assistant General Manager | Director of Sales 
    Fairfield Inn & Suites 

  • 2005-2007
    Director of Sales & Marketing 
    inPlay & Forte Banquet and Conference Center 

  • 2004-2005
    Catering & Event Manager  
    Sheraton Downtown Omaha

  • 2003-2004
    Catering Administrative Assistant 
    Omaha Doubletree Downtown & EMC