Taylor Ruby is a MSU Denver senior graduating in May. She has made honor roll the past two semesters. She will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Event and Meeting Management. Her plans after graduation include her continued career in the Bridal Industry.
Marketing Team
Taylor Ruby
Ashley Heidt is A MSU Denver senior Graduating in December with a degree in Event and Meeting Management with minor in Marketing. During her time here at MSU, she has made the Provost Deans list twice and has maintained a GPA of 3.6. For the past three years, she has been interning with Total Imagination Events. Upon graduation, she hops to continue working in the Event Industry.
Marketing Team
Ashley Heidt
Lucy is an international student from Austria, Europe and came to the US to fulfill her dream to work in the Event Industry. She is currently interning with the Guest Relations Department at Kroenke Sports and Entertainment where she wants to pursue a job after her internship.
Marketing Team
Lucy Parzer
Maysea Manivanh is a native in Colorado and has been in the school of HEaT’s program since 2015. She is expected to graduate in fall of 2019 with a degree in Events and Meeting Management along with a minor in Marketing. Maysea also has great experiences with guests, detail-oriented positions, and fast-paced environments. Highlighting HEaT will help her gain more hands-on experiences with how to create an event from scratch and how all the departments work together throughout the planning process.
Marketing Team
Maysea Manivanh
My name is Anne Casey and a Senior at Metropolitan State University. My experiences have included Sales Advising, Retail, Wellness Coordinating and Banquet serving. I am continuing to expand my ideas and interests through my passion with Sport Management and Event Planning. As a banquet server, I am equipped in marketing, serving and accommodating customer needs. I have held two different internship positions as a Workplace Wellness Student Intern. My responsibilities included planning and using learning management software to create employee well-being events and run reports to track participation by current employees. I am excited to continue exploring new opportunities within the Event and Meeting Management industry!
Marketing Team
Anne Casey
Allie is an enthusiastic senior at Metropolitain State University of Denver in the HEaT program studying Event Management. She is on the marketing and design team for the Highlighting HEaT luncheon event and has been an employee at Amora Group Design, A/V and Events for the past year. She plans to continue working in the event design industry after graduating and eventually pursue a second degree in interior design.
Marketing Team
Allie Bohus
Hi, I'm Taylor Rogers and am thrilled to be graduating from MSU Denver this spring! I am currently working at Copper Leaf Gardens and Events as their Assistant Sales & Events Coordinator. I am so excited to be a part of the school of HEaT's first annual event and cannot wait for you to experience it with us!
Marketing Team
Taylor Rogers
Jamie Ratzlaff is a Senior at Metropolitain State University of Denver. Majoring in Event and Meeting Management with a Minor in Hotel Management, therefore she is really involved student in The School of HEaT. Jamie has already obtained her Associates of Science Degree through Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She also graduated at the top of her class at Early Colleges of Colorado Springs with a 4.5 GPA. Preparing to graduate after the Summer semester with a 3.6 with her bachelor's degree and powerfully enter the workforce. She is TIPS Certified and worked at The Broadmoor Hotel for a year in Banquets and as an Amenities Agent. She currently works at The Residence Inn by Marriott in Colorado Springs, Colorado hoping to gain opportunities with Marriott in convention or conference services. Therefore, The Highlighting HEat event will help Jamie and students like her to make connections with industry members, and Industry members will have the opportunity to connect with her and students like her.
Marketing Team
Jamie Ratzlaff
My name is Mica Edwards. I am a 3rd year student at MSU. My major is Event Management with a minor in Business Management. I have put in over twenty years of Customer Service in the Corporate world, and I am ready to move on to different pastures. In the Summer, my son and I will be moving to Hiroshima Japan. I will teach English and continue the path to many other dreams, while broadening my sons’ horizons. My hope is that we will both one day leave the country of Japan speaking the language fluently. In regards to my degree, hope to one day be hired on as an event planner for Sanrio Inc. I received my Associates from CCD in 2017 and have since then continued my college education. I am looking forward to working with my classmates this semester as we work together to put together an awards ceremony event this semester.
Marketing Team
Mica Edwards
Originally majoring in Political Science and Diplomacy, Assistant Professor Eunjoo (EJ) Kang started a professional career in the event industry in South Korea before earning her doctorate in Hospitality and Tourism Management, then joining the Event and Meeting Management faculty at MSU Denver. Kang has planned and executed events in 16 different countries. She has worked the International Tourism Expo, the New Millennium Festival hosted by the Korean Presidential Committee and global corporate events for major automobile and electronic brands, including Hyundai Motors, Kia Motors and Doosan.
Ph.D., CMP
Facilitator
Eunjoo (EJ) Kang
Professor Cynthia Vannucci joined MSU Denver after earning her doctorate in Management, Environment Relation, and has focused on developing industry relationships across the country, as well as helping Hospitality, Tourism and Events majors develop their careers. A former leader and committee member for several national and international industry associations, Vannucci has helped more than 50 MSU Denver students attend the Professional Convention Management Association annual meeting at little or no cost to them. She also develops the academic and career planning component of the coursework for Introduction to Hospitality, Tourism and Events and continues to grow the Hospitality, Tourism and Events internship program.
Ph.D., CHME, CHSP, CMP, CHE
Facilitator
Cynthia Vannucci
Hello, my name is Jordan and I am a Senior here at the school of HEaT and I graduate in May. After college I plan on becoming an event planner full time, with of course time to explore the beautiful Rocky Mountains!
Operations Team
Jordan Rowe
Hello, my name is Taylor Feack and I am a part of the operations team for our HEaT event. I am a senior at Metropolitan State University majoring in Event Planning. After graduation I plan to work within the event industry.
Operations Team
Taylor Feack
Varied restaurant and event experience is what drove Sam to the hospitality industry - and the School of HEaT is what allowed him to flourish. A fall 2018 Dimond Fellowship recipient, Sam has been heavily involved in the School of HEaT throughout his time in the program. He has emceed the Global Meetings and Events pitch and represented the school throughout the Auraria Campus. In addition to academic representation, Sam has competed for MSU Denver's Cross Country + Track and Field teams since 2015. He is expected to graduate in December 2019.
Operations Team
Samuel Berg
During her journey in event design, Christina Bekhova retired from the U.S. Army as their event planner and Non-Commissioned Officer Military Intelligence Analyst. In the effort to continue her learning and grow her business, Christina Bekhova joined the Events and Meeting Management program at MSU School of HEaT in the Spring of 2017. Now a Senior, she has been in the top 3 groups selected in the PCMA North American Student Competition and actively takes leading roles in group and class projects. Christina is also a mother to a beautiful baby boy, wife to an Air Force Service Member and owner of Elevated Peacock Design LLC, an Event Planning and Event Design company in the Denver Metro Area. As a business owner in the event industry, she promotes, coordinates and mentors HEaT student involvement at events to help introduce new and aspiring event planners into the event industry, such as Parker Oktoberfest and the National Kidney Foundation’s Great Chefs of the West. She is also an active member of MPI and IAEE. Christina is expected to graduate in December of 2019 with a 3.5 GPA and plans to continue her education through the San Diego University Master’s Program.
Operations Team
Christina Bekhova
Hi all! My name is Shylah Ogle and I couldn't be more honored to be graduating from MSU Denver's School of HEaT. I currently work with Kaya Event Designs as their Event Designer and I can't wait for you to see what we are planning for our upcoming annual School of HEaT event!
Operations Team
Shylah Ogle
Hi! I’m Jaycee Dahl and I am graduating from MSU Denver’s School of HEaT! I am currently interning for The ALS Association in their events department and I hope to be working in Corporate Meetings after graduating. I am excited for everyone to see what the School of HEaT has planned for this event!
Operations Team
Jaycee Dahl
Graduating this May with a GPA of 3.62, with her Bachelor’s Degree in Event & Meeting Management, Tami is the definition of a non-traditional student. Tami lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and three children, commuting to Metro every week (after commuting to Fort Collins four days a week to attend Front Range Community College, driving to the Auraria Campus is a breeze). After graduation she hopes to land a part time (for the time being) gig event planning, with a focus on weddings and special events.
Operations Team
Tami Betts
Howard Rubsam is a part of the operations team for the Highlighting HEaT event. He is a senior at Metro and currently works at Coors Field as a part of the F&B team. After he graduates he plans on becoming a part of an event team as well as continuing to run the premium restaurants at Coors. Highlighting HEaT has helped him to gain valuable experience in the Events fields and has helped him to grow has a future event planner.
Operations Team