Hospitality with Heart: Faculty Leader Bob Schalow’s Commitment to UF’s Online Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management Master’s Program
July 24, 2025
Bob Schalow doesn’t just teach hospitality—he’s lived it at every level. A proud University of Florida graduate turned industry executive, Schalow has come full circle, returning to UF as a faculty member and advocate for the online tourism, hospitality and event management master’s program. With decades of leadership experience—including executive roles at Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, and Einstein Bros. Bagels—he’s helped shape some of the most recognizable names in the industry. Schalow brings both heart and expertise to students in the virtual classroom.
“I am a graduate of this program, so I have a significant amount of pride in seeing it grow and make an impact on the industry,” Schalow said. When the department shifted its focus from commercial recreation to a more industry-aligned approach, he reached out to express his enthusiasm and offered his support. “From there, I began to work closely with the department.”
Now based in Newport Beach, California, Schalow’s path to hospitality leadership began at the University of Florida. Drawn to UF for its reputation as the state’s flagship institution, he explored majors in business and history before discovering his passion for tourism and hospitality. While working his way through college, Schalow gained valuable hands-on experience as a student manager at the Reitz Union Hotel and later through an internship at a Marriott Conference Resort near Washington, D.C.
“It was here that I realized that I enjoyed restaurant operations the most, and this is how I decided to change my career path,” he said.
That insight launched a successful career in the restaurant industry, where Schalow rose to leadership positions including Vice President of Franchise Operations for Jack in the Box Restaurants and Senior Director of National Franchise Operations for Einstein Bros. Bagels and Bruegger’s Bagels. “There is energy in the restaurant industry. Each day brings different challenges, and it is never boring. It is also an industry focused not only on feeding people but also on delivering great experiences.”
Today, Schalow teaches Tourism & Hospitality Business Perspectives (HMG6566), a course that explores eight major segments of the industry and the evolving forces shaping its future.
“The industry has gone through significant change over the last five years, and the impact of the pandemic has been significant on technology adaptations alone,” he said. “On top of that, AI has become integrated in the daily operations of the entire industry.”
Schalow values the opportunity to teach students already working in the industry, often balancing career and education. “Each one brings a unique perspective to the program, and I get to learn as much from them as they do from me,” he said. “The online program allows its’ students the flexibility to both be employed in the industry and develop themselves to be more impactful leaders within it.”
His involvement goes beyond the classroom. Since 2020, Schalow has served on the Industry Advisory Board for UF’s Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute. “I was a bit shocked and humbled when they asked me to serve both on the board and as chair,” he said. Schalow and the board pivoted in the face of the pandemic, shifting to Zoom meetings and YouTube presentations. 
“Those adaptations carry on today as the board members and the program are now interacting with the industry in an increased capacity," he said.
Whether he's leading a team of 9,000 employees or preparing students to do the same, Schalow emphasizes that the hospitality industry rewards hard work and thrives on adaptability.
“(Hospitality) is a meritocracy,” he said. “The leaders who will be running the entire organization in the next decade are our customer and food champions right now.”
For Schalow, UF’s online master’s program is uniquely positioned to develop this next generation of hospitality leaders. “This is a degree from one of the top public universities in the country,” he said. “The online program makes this program reachable and attainable for students across the country and the globe.” Given Florida’s prominence in the tourism industry, he views the program as essential to meeting the Sunshine State’s workforce needs. “The industry needs support in developing its future leaders, and we are one of the best options for that and are already set up to do it.”
ABOUT THE ONLINE MASTER OF SCIENCE IN TOURISM, HOSPITALITY AND EVENT MANAGEMENT
The 100% online, instructor-led Master of Science in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management is designed for busy, working professionals and those just getting started in their careers.
This program allows you to earn your degree and apply what you learn in the classroom to your current and future work environments. Using real data from top industry experts, graduate students develop resource-based views and comprehensive strategies for managing and leading tourism, hospitality and event organizations. Students will also obtain a holistic perspective of environmental concerns that impact visitation to sensitive areas, including how to build sustainable initiatives into a business model and how to use unique faculty-developed tools to better respond to these issues.
Ignite your tourism, hospitality and event management career with our streamlined admissions process.