| Faculty Member | Biography |
|---|---|
Jean-Guy Robichaud Department Chair | Jean-Guy started his career working for high-end hotels and resorts in Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec to fulfill his apprenticeships and to complete his Journeyman certifications (Cook, Baker, and Pastry Chef). Jean-Guy also had an opportunity to become a business partner in Patisseries in Quebec City for six years. Passionate about education, Jean-Guy wanted to share his industry and entrepreneurial experience with the next generation of chefs and hoteliers. He became a faculty member at Cambrian College, Ontario, where he created new curriculum and was a program coordinator for the Hotel and Restaurant Management program and the Baking and Pastry Arts program for 15 years. Over the years, Jean-Guy continued his education and obtained a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management at Vancouver Community College and a master’s degree in Tourism Management at Royal Roads University (Victoria, British Columbia). A lifelong learner, Jean-Guy completed a Doctorate in Business Administration, specializing in Higher Education Management at Bath University in England. His research focused on leadership and management of international higher education partnerships between the global North and South. Jean-Guy has done some consulting with industry and former entrepreneurial students seeking business opportunities in Canada and abroad. Jean-Guy has also worked on a variety of provincial and national committees related to the culinary and hospitality industry. When he is not working, you can find Jean-Guy exploring Vancouver Island, hiking, camping and traveling the world to explore new culinary experiences and their cultural significance. |
Jonelle Knowles Academic Program Advisor | Jonelle has taught in Tourism and Hospitality Management since 1998, in a variety of courses, including Food & Beverage Management, Conferences & Special Events, Marketing & Consumer Behaviour, and Bartending. Outside the traditional classroom, she enjoys working with students to produce events and an industry-student conference on sustainability. She has organized local and international field trips as well as international field schools for academic credit. She is passionate about service culture. Her industry career was mainly in Food & Beverage, working in Resort Hotels, International restaurant chains and small businesses in a variety of hands on and managerial roles. In addition to teaching she participated in collaborative work at the provincial and international level. For example: Provincial PLA project for Hospitality & Tourism Diploma, Provincial Tourism Industry Task Force, Vietnam Community Based Tourism Project collaborating with several institutions, developing curriculum for Event diploma and Hospitality degree programs in Tanzania and sitting on the provincial BC articulation committee for Hospitality programs. While teaching over the years she has continued to be a student, building on her tourism education, completing the Provincial instructor diploma program through Vancouver Community College as well as a master’s degree, with the University of Liverpool, with a thesis in services marketing. |
Ashraf Hassib Faculty | Ashraf is a seasoned educator in the field of Hospitality and Tourism Management, having taught at esteemed institutions such as Vancouver Island University, University of Guelph, Humber College, Centennial College, George Brown College, and Seneca College, in addition to his alma mater, Helwan University in Egypt. He has also served as a visiting professor at esteemed universities abroad, including Kempton University, Breda University, and Copenhagen Business Academy, and has experience teaching both in-person and online courses at the Munich University of Applied Sciences and Bavarian Virtual University. With a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Hotel Management from Helwan University and Oxford Brookes University respectively, Ashraf's areas of expertise include Revenue Management, Hospitality Entrepreneurship, and Hospitality Operations Management. He also brings a wealth of industry experience to his teaching, having worked at various prestigious international hotels and resorts such as Sheraton, Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hilton, and Le Meridien. Ashraf.Hassib@viu.ca |
Daniel Starwing Discovery Room Technician | It all began at the age of twelve when my parents took me to the Cannery Seafood Restaurant to celebrate my birthday. I was completely enamored with the experience because it felt like magic. Eleven years later, after receiving a Commerce Degree from the University of British Columbia, I started work at the Cannery Seafood Restaurant and found myself being introduced to the art of fine dining from the very same Servers who helped me to celebrate my twelfth birthday. They shared generously all of their trade secrets. More than 20 years have now passed during which I have undertaken Sommelier training, been a Food and Beverage Director of three high end resorts, the manager of several fine dining restaurants, and a Food and Beverage service consultant for top-tier retirement communities. When it comes to hospitality, my philosophy is: It needs to feel like magic. I teach students to create service magic by mastering practical fine dining techniques while learning about personality theory and employing mediation practices that support the interpersonal skills needed to succeed in Hospitality. When I’m not teaching you can find me road-tripping in my Airstream, hiking with my wife and two dogs and practicing Non-Violent Communication. |
Peter Briscoe Faculty | Peter has taught at the post-secondary level for more than a decade, with faculty appointments at Okanagan University-College, Thompson Rivers University, Vancouver Island University, and College of New Caledonia. He holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from Southern Cross University, specializing in hotel and tourism management. Peter has also held numerous management positions with hotels and food service organizations. His passion is people and their success, and he prides himself in expecting the best from both himself and others. |
