The School of Human Environmental Sciences is pleased to welcome Avery Malone as the academic coordinator in the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management (RTM). Avery is an alumnus of the department, holding both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Merchandising, Apparel and Textiles. She also holds a B.A. in Secondary Social Studies Education from Morehead State University.
Avery’s professional experiences have prepared her well for her position in the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management. From 2004-2006, she taught high school social studies at West Carter High School. She left this position to enroll in the master’s program at UK in the fall of 2006. While earning her master’s degree, Avery’s interest in historic costume led her to seek an internship experience at Ashland – The Henry Clay Estate in 2007. The initial internship provided a career path at Ashland that spanned seven years. Avery held the positions of weekend manager and director of tours before being named executive director. Through her positions at Ashland, she gained experience in retailing, tourism management and historic costume.
As academic coordinator, Avery will fulfill a variety of roles within the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management. Beginning in fall 2015, she will be the instructor for MAT-114, Introduction to Merchandising. She will also serve as the academic advisor for all freshmen in the department, work on student recruitment and retention efforts and work with curriculum alignment and assessment. Avery will be advisor to the department’s student organization and will play an instrumental role in departmental marketing and communications.
Away from work, Avery enjoys spending time with her husband and young son. She is an accomplished seamstress and constructed several special replica garments for events at Ashland. Avery shared, “I am excited to work with students again. I look forward to introducing new UK RTM students to fun ways to participate in campus life and their studies in RTM, like the RTM Club Color Me Spring Fashion Show and trips to New York and Atlanta. My goal is to spotlight opportunities to help students make the most of their time at UK from academic achievements to networking to just having a great time.”