UVA Wise Hosts Panel on Casino Management and Careers

Dedra Duty
Panelists with UVA Wise leadership
From left to right: Scott Morrow, Shannon Blevins, Shannon Wells, Gurkan Akalin, Chancellor Donna P. Henry, Cherry Brewer, Gary Johnson, Allie Evangelista, Marcos Medeiros
Photo by Tori Villiard

The University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise) welcomed industry leaders from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas this week for an engaging panel discussion titled “Beyond the Tables: Casino Management, Careers, and Community Impact.” The event offered students, faculty and community members an inside look at the fast-growing hospitality and gaming industry and its impact on Southwest Virginia and Appalachia.

The program, held at UVA Wise featured panelists Allie Evangelista, President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol Shannon Wells, vice president of human resources at Hard Rock Bristol, and Scott Morrow, gaming lecturer at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who will also teach the new Casino Management course at UVA Wise in spring 2026. The discussion was moderated by Marcos Medeiros, assistant professor of hospitality and finance at UVA Wise.

The panel explored key topics including building a destination and how Hard Rock Bristol has spurred economic growth, tourism and community partnerships in the region. Career pathways were also discussed as well as opportunities for students and professionals in the hospitality and gaming industries. Connecting the classroom to the industry was a large part of the discussion as well as the launch of UVA Wise’s Casino Management course, the first of its kind in the region.

“This event is about giving our students a front row view of a thriving industry that is reshaping our region,” said Gurkan Akalin, department chair for UVA Wise business and economics. “By engaging directly with leaders from Hard Rock and academia, our students can connect classroom learning to real-world applications while envisioning new career pathways.”

The idea for the discussion was developed by Akalin and the Hospitality and Tourism Management faculty Marcos Medeiros and Cherry Brewer. It reflects a growing partnership between UVA Wise and Hard Rock Bristol, designed to bring experiential learning opportunities to campus and prepare students for careers in hospitality, tourism and gaming.

“I don't have any experience in casinos, so it was great to hear about the panelists' experience. I'm from Kingsport so I enjoyed seeing the work done at Hard Rock. I had an internship with a hotel at a regional tourism asset this summer, which Professor Brewer helped me obtain, and it further piqued my interest in the industry,” says Olyvia Fleming, the first student at UVA Wise to declare a major in hospitality tourism management.

The “Beyond the Tables” event underscores UVA Wise’s commitment to innovation, partnerships and preparing students for success in emerging industries. The hospitality and tourism management major at UVA Wise, started in fall 2024, offers a comprehensive curriculum that includes the Casino Management course, along with hotel and lodging management, tourism destination management, food business management, events planning and professional internships with local partners such as Hard Rock Bristol.

“This is just the beginning,” added Akalin. “The Casino Management course coming this spring represents an exciting step forward, and we look forward to expanding opportunities that connect our students with industry leaders and real-world challenges.”