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Dr. Ammachathram is a hospitality leader and educator who has been associated with hospitality management for over 25 years. He is a Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) from the American Hotel and Lodging Association Educational Institute, and currently serves as Vice-President on the board of the Central Federation of the International Council of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (ICHRIE).

Teaching Activities -70% Apportionment

Fall 2024

• HRTM 391 Special Topics
• HRTM 479 Senior Seminar in Hospitality Management

J Term

• HRTM 495 Study Tour

Spring 2025

• HRTM 377 Hospitality Franchising Management
• HRTM 479 Senior Seminar in Hospitality Management
• HRTM 481 Legal Environment in Hospitality Management

Extension Activities -25% Apportionment

Extension and outreach programs with focus on:

• Improving Nebraska foodservice professionals' knowledge of best practices and to support them in providing safe food and exceptional service while maintaining high industry standards.
• Increasing culinary and management skills among young minds for successful careers in the restaurant and foodservice industry through established curriculum development.
• Enhancing the Public-school foodservice program to provide balanced dietary intake, promote higher satisfaction, and improve health among children through improving managers' serving practices.

Notable Works

• Husker students assist at 2024 Masters Tournament -Nebraska Today, 2024
• "Why Tipping is an American Custom" -CNBC Network interview, 2021
• "Why Does Alcohol Cost So Much When You Fly?"  -MEL Magazine, 2021
• "Five Things with Ajai Ammachathram"  -UNL Podcast, 2020
• "Is Dining Out Done? A Nebraska Industry Expert Discusses"  -BTN LIVEBIG, 2020
• "Hospitality Program Looks Towards Future Amid Uncertainty in Industry (COVID-19)  -Nebraska Today, 2020
• "Surviving the Storm"  -Food Quality and Safety Magazine, 2019
• "Foodservice Operations Management Checklist"  -Nebraska Extension/UNL Food, 2019
• "Be a Guide on the Side"  -Hospitality Quarterly, Nebraska Restaurant Association, 2019
• "Latest Food and Beverage Trends in the Hotel Industry" -University of Madras, India, 2018
• "Spice Myth-busters" -Nebraska State Fair demonstration, 2017-2019

Areas of Expertise 

• Food and Beverage Management
• Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development
• Minority and New Entrepreneurship Development
• Retail and Franchising Management
• Nutrition programs within Nebraska Public Education
• Customer Service Management
• Pro-Start Curriculum
• Global Hospitality Education
• Hospitality Curriculum Development
• Higher Education Administration