Greetings!

My name is Dr. Kathleen Hargiss and I will be your professor for the next exciting 12 weeks. No this is not my first time teaching online, I have over six years experience online and over twenty years on-ground. OK…let’s get started with a thumb nail sketch of my background: For the past eight years I have focused almost exclusively on online education, both designing courses for a number of universities and facilitating courses at the doctoral, masters and undergraduate levels. Until recently, I was involved with Strategic Resource Consulting (Tampa based firm) conducting preliminary venture capital research, due diligence and feasibility studies. My experience in the hospitality industry was as Director of the exclusive Phoenix Spa located in Houston, Texas. I managed a staff of twenty and had responsibility for all operations including advertising and public relations, accounting, budgeting, marketing. I directly supervised all lodging, housekeeping and food preparation personnel. In the 1990s I was a professor at both the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa.

Previous to that time I was the former director of an exclusive health spa in Houston, Texas (i.e. fat farm). In the same decade I founded a fitness studio in Chicago’s Lake Shore area, successfully building and operating this business for several years. Other professional undertakings included health/fitness consultant, fitness director, author, as well as an instructor/scholarship recipient at Northwestern University.

In my spare time I earned a private pilot license, EMT license, and 2nd degree Black belt with national weapon awards in the martial arts. I am also a published author and my latest book came out in September, 2002. Educationally, I earned a Ph.D. from the University of South Florida where I also completed Post Doctoral studies in Technology, an MBA from the University of Miami, an M.A. from Northwestern University (where I instructed for several years), Post Graduate studies in Stockholm, Sweden and a B.A. from the University of Illinois-Chicago, not forgetting the University of Chicago. I also completed specializations in International Studies and Management Information Systems. Yes, I do have a life! I reside in Clearwater, Florida with my husband John, Rascal a barnyard canine, and a feisty Lhasa named Maggie. My 20 year old son Chris is a sophomore at Auburn University and my 28 year old daughter Jenn is at the University of Hawaii earning an MBA in Chinese Business. By the way, when I am not online you can find me either on the tennis courts or the golf course…and I am always reachable at: 727-773-8780 (EST)

Dr. Kathleen Hargiss