Debbie partners with colleges and high school Hospitality programs that lead to an increased pool of knowledgeable and prepared potential employee candidates for Texas hotels.She is a former educator who works across the State of Texas helping people understand the Hotel Industry, while also helping organizations prepare and train employees to enter the Hotel Industry. She has proven success in project management and event planning and coordination, along with five years of state agency service at the Texas Education Agency; 17 years as a Secondary Teacher in Career and Technical Education; 7 years in Human Resources; and 10 years in Retail Management. Debbie understands the opportunities andchallenges in workforce development, training, and worker preparation. She is an expert in Hospitality Education and Training Programs.About THLA:Our membership includes lodging operators and tourism partners across Texas, from the largest hotels to the smallest bed & breakfasts, along with full-service and limited-service operators, convention and visitor bureaus, chambers of commerce, and vendors who work with the hospitality industry.Over the last ten years, THLA has grown from the fourth largest state hotel association in the country to the largest hotel association in the nation with over 5,000 members currently. Our mission is simple: THLA advocates for legislation, regulations, resources, and a businessclimate that will promote a strong, vibrant, and growing lodging and tourism industry within Texas. Our goals both current and historic are to promote the resources and ability of the lodging industry operators to be successful.LinkedIn Profile: Debbie Wieland LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/debbie-wieland-2a4a647/Website: THLA Website:https://texaslodging.com/

Jessica Bartnick Founder and CEOFoundation For C.H.O.I.C.E.(Texas)By serving at-risk youth through a one-to-one mentoring program, Foundation For C.H.O.I.C.E. (Consider How One Individual Changes Everything) creates opportunities for a college education through professionally supported relationships, inspiring the student to make positive choices for their future. Through a structured 27-week course, Foundation For C.H.O.I.C.E. and their volunteer mentors empower hand-picked, at-risk students who demonstrate responsibility, motivation, and determination to overcome their own personal circumstances. The program emphasizes the importance of high school academics and creates extended learning opportunities linked to college and career readiness focusing on consistency and measurable results based on curriculum developed weekly mentor-student meetings and progress reports.LinkedIn

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-bartnick-85b58217

Website: Foundation for Choice

Dr. Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt

President Jarvis Christian University (Texas)

On this week’s iBuild America Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt, President of Jarvis Christian University.

From increasing enrollment to launching adult learning and graduate programs, Dr. Lee-Pruitt shares how she’s modernizing HBCU education while honoring legacy.

Jarvis Christian University Board of Trustees has selected Dr. Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt as the university’s 13th president, effective July 1, 2023. She succeeds Dr. Lester C. Newman, who served as the JCU President for 11 years.

Dr. Lee-Pruitt brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the university, including higher education administration and academic affairs, having served as second in command and as a member of the executive cabinet since August 2012 as the provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Jarvis. She has been instrumental in increasing student enrollment, increasing articulation agreements, and establishing the Renaissance Program for Adult Learners on the JCU campus and the JCU Dallas Teaching Site. She has also provided leadership in enhancing academic program offerings, which include online degree completion programs and two online graduate programs.

Previously, she served at Mississippi Valley State University as dean of University College and First Year Experience, director of Community/Service Learning, director of the Renaissance Learning Adult Education Program, and tenured professor in the Department of Social Work.

About Jarvis Christian University:

Our Mission: Jarvis Christian University is a historically Black institution, affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), offering degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, and master’s levels. The mission of the University is to prepare a diverse population of lifelong learners intellectually, socially, spiritually, and personally through providing interactive services and using varied modalities of instructional delivery.

Our Commitment to You: Whether you are a prospective student, a current student, a parent, an alumnus, or a friend of the university, we are dedicated to your success. Our faculty and staff are here to support you, providing the tools, resources, and guidance needed to help you achieve your goals. At Jarvis Christian University, you will find a dynamic and engaging learning environment where your aspirations are valued and your potential is recognized.

Looking Ahead: As we look to the future, we remain committed to advancing our university’s mission and enhancing the educational experience for all our students.

We continue to invest in innovative programs, state-of-the-art facilities, and opportunities that prepare our graduates to excel in an ever-changing world.

LinkedIn Profile: Dr. Glenell Lee-Pruitt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/glenell-m-lee-565805284/

Website: Jarvis Christian University: https://www.jarvis.edu/