Melissa Varao
Vice Chair
Salve Regina University, Director & Dept. Chair Business & Economics
Dr. Missy Varao is the Director and Department Chair for the Department of Business and Economics at Salve Regina University. She is also a professor, wedding planner, and business owner. Missy’s areas of expertise are in high-end service quality, event planning, wine tourism, and ecotourism. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University, her master’s degree from the University of South Carolina, and her Ph.D. from Auburn University, all in the areas of hospitality, events, and tourism. She has been involved in higher education and administration for the past 16 years, both teaching and building academic programs in business, hospitality, and event production. Most recently, she launched Aquidneck Events, a high-end wedding and special events venture, serving Newport and Bristol Counties. Click here for more of Dr. Varao's Bio:
