Mar 25, 2022
Dr. Kelly L. Cerialo is the Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism at Paul Smith's College, the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York.
Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences and natural resources. Located in one of New York State's premier outdoor recreation destinations, The Adirondack Park provides a rich learning opportunity for students who are interesting in studying the social, economic and environmental impacts of tourism.
"Living, working, and learning in this tourism environment gives students a unique opportunity to experience the challenges and opportunities of maintaining high-quality tourist offerings while protecting the natural and cultural assets of a host destination," said Kelly. "Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive and adventurous individuals collectively provide experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it."
Paul Smith's College is launching a brand new Sustainable Tourism Master's Degree in 2023 and is proud to partner with NYSTIA in educating and empowering the next generation of tourism leaders.
"Sustainability is a core component of the academic programs at Paul Smith's College and continues to guide our educational strategy, especially in the field of tourism," said Kelly. "Our faculty, staff and students identify innovative ways to track and mitigate the negative social and ecological impacts of tourism on host communities while leveraging the positive economic outcomes. My current research focuses on strategies to mitigate the negative social impacts of tourism on a destination and the collaborative leadership approaches that are required to do so."
Kelly received the David H. Chamberlain Excellence in Teaching Award in 2019 and Faculty Member of the Year at Paul Smith's College in 2018. She has presented at United Nations and UNESCO conferences in the U.S., Europe, and Africa. Her research interests include the social impacts of tourism in protected areas, tourism in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, UNESCO Biosphere Reserves governance and management, recreation overuse, bioregional collaboration, and youth leadership mentoring to support sustainable communities.
In addition to her many roles as Associate Professor and Program Coordinator, Kelly is the Co-chair of the UNESCO Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Reserve (New York/Vermont), a steering committee member for the U.S. UNESCO Biosphere Network, and founder/focal point for the U.S. Biosphere Reserve Youth Network. She coordinates international student exchanges with a focus on sustainable tourism and community development in UNESCO Biosphere Reserves in Italy and South Africa. She is also the co-founder of the Adirondack to Appeninno Sustainable Parks and Communities Project – an international sustainable tourism initiative between the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano Biosphere Reserve in Italy and the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Reserve.
Kelly enjoys hiking, skiing, swimming, paddling, and reading in her spare time. Her professional affiliations include: United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Biosphere Reserve Program; Co-Chair, UNESCO Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Network, Working Group Member, U.S. UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Program; Member, United Nations Academic Impact Association; UNESCO Appennino Tosco-Emiliano Biosphere Reserve (Italy).
Contact Kelly with your needs or questions:
Dr. Kelly L. Cerialo
Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Hospitality and Sustainable Tourism
O: 5183276386
email: kcerialo@paulsmiths.edu
website: https://www.paulsmiths.edu/