DEDICATED CONTRIBUTOR
2017 ISPA CONFERENCE & EXPO
Dr. Mary Wisnom
Dr. Mary Wisnom defines what
Scholarship, served
ISPA
it means to be a “dedicated
on many ISPA
DEDICATED
contributor.” Her work with
committees and
CONTRIBUTOR
the recent ISPA Academy
taskforces, and
AWARD
would alone grant her that
been an all-
title, but Wisnom has also
around supporter
RECIPIENT
spent her entire career working
of ISPA’s mission.
towards a better and brighter future
Join us in thanking her
for the spa industry. Wisnom is a
for her invaluable contributions to our
Professor and Spa Management
community.
Coordinator for the School of Resort and
Hospitality Management in the Lutgert
When did you first hear about ISPA
College of Business at Florida Gulf Coast and what prompted you to join?
University. She boasts over 30 years of
When I was first managing club and
passionate experience in the hospitality
resort spas, there was no ISPA. I would
industry as a practitioner and educator.
have loved the resources and know-how
Through that passion, Wisnom has
of ISPA back then. In 1991, I left the
edited spa textbooks, supported the
industry to pursue my doctorate at
nomination of several students pursuing Michigan State University and become a
the ISPA Foundation Mary Tabacchi
teacher. After teaching for several years
Dr. Wisnom's work with the
ISPA Academy has given
members an invaluable
resource in spa
management.
at Central Michigan University, I learned
a colleague was developing a new resort
and hospitality program at Florida Gulf
Coast University and it was her plan to
have a spa management component.
Knowing my background, she
encouraged me to apply. Excited by the
opportunity to develop a spa
management curriculum, I researched
different professional associations that
could help me in my new task and I
discovered and joined ISPA.
Why is giving back to ISPA so
important to you?
It’s in my nature to give back to those
that have given me so much. It is hard
to imagine teaching spa management
without ISPA. Without ISPA’s research
and resources, it would have been nearly
impossible to convince my university to
approve a spa management program.
Without ISPA’s publications, it would
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