Rod Warnick: Leading Innovation in Club Management Education

From his early days as an associate professor to his leadership as department head and now as an award-winning faculty member in Isenberg’s Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) Department, Rod Warnick exemplifies what it means to be “Best in Show.” Over more than 40 years at UMass Amherst, his approach to pedagogy and his long-standing commitment to education, innovation, and student success have shaped the future of club management education and the hospitality industry.

Warnick recently won the faculty advisor “Best in Show” award from the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) for a presentation on curriculum enhancement, enrichment, and best practices in the field. He shared the initiative at the CMAA’s Student Chapter and Faculty Idea Fair, which aims to foster collaboration by providing a platform for sharing creative ideas—and his success earned a $1,000 grant for the UMass CMAA student chapter.

Career outcomes and cross-disciplinary connections were the inspiration behind the award-winning project. This was not the first time he received this achievement; he won “Best in Show” at the 2024 CMAA Idea Fair for his work on student placement and advancing the club management profession.

Warnick expands the program’s reach beyond HTM majors by incorporating innovative technology platforms and modern approaches to student engagement. He actively engages students from other Isenberg disciplines, such as finance and management, emphasizing that hospitality skills are transferable and valuable across a range of industries.

“Hospitality and tourism opportunities are now seen as highly viable, and this has led to an increase in double majors and non-HTM majors taking our classes,” he says. “We have had great placements with Fidelity Investments, TJX, and apartment rental companies such as Avalon Bay, Bozzuto, and GreyStar—all of which value the importance of hospitality in their business operations.”

Warnick—who likes to “try new ways to teach the topics”—encourages his students to join the UMass CMAA Student Chapter early in their academic careers to maximize the opportunities Isenberg HTM offers: participate in events (like CMAA Shark Tank competitions); study abroad in Europe or Switzerland; apply for scholarships; build and foster alumni connections; and garner resume enhancements like “Certified Club Manager” (CCM) credentials. He encourages students to treat every experience as a learning opportunity and says that the more involved students are, the more prepared they will be to make a lasting impact on the world.“Taking advantage of these opportunities helps make students better professionals and paves the way to a rewarding career,” he says.

Inspiring Impact: Alumni Take on Warnick’s Influence

According to one of his many former students, Warnick’s innovation in the classroom spills into his network. Sports Emmy-nominated CBS football reporter Jenny Dell ’08 recalls the great impact he had on her Isenberg education.

“Rod Warnick was so much more than a professor during my time at UMass,” she says. “He was a mentor, a motivator, and a lifelong supporter. His unwavering dedication to his students is nothing short of extraordinary. Rod doesn’t just teach; he builds lasting relationships, opens doors, and shows up, time and time again, for everyone lucky enough to know him. I’m forever grateful for his support throughout my career and personal life, and I know countless others feel the same. UMass is better because of Rod Warnick.”

Through professional storytelling, sharing industry articles and research, teaching excellence, and posting job opportunities on his social media channels, Warnick leverages his network of more than 5,000 connections to benefit his students. He also highlights student achievements, facilitates mentorship opportunities, and supports a career placement program with a proven track record of success.

“I have been working closely with Rod to interview and place UMass students in the private club industry, and I continue to be amazed by the exposure, networking, and career guidance that Rod provides to his students and alumni,” says Matt Lambert ’92, CCM, CAM, ECM, general manager and COO of Palm Beach, Fla.-based The Country Club at Mirasol. “He never stops educating his students about the exciting career opportunities available within the private club industry. He’s simply the best I have ever met and is a huge asset to UMass and the CMAA.”

Warnick inspires impact in his students from the moment they embark on their Isenberg education to well beyond Commencement, according to Chris Metz ’16, club operations director at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass.

“Rod’s commitment, guidance, and support of his students is second to none,” he says. “His influence has had an impact on me as well as my career, and I am sure many others feel the same way.”

Jeff S. Isbell ‘01, CCM, general manager of Renaissance Golf Club, agrees.

“Rod has made a lasting impact on the lives and careers of countless hospitality industry professionals over his years at UMass Amherst,” he says. “His passion for the club industry continues to inspire students and alumni. His legacy of passion, empathy, and advocacy for the club management field is unrivaled.”

Warnick views clubs as adaptive spaces that preserve traditional activities like golf and tennis while embracing trends like outdoor recreation, wellness, and emerging activities such as pickleball. Looking ahead, he identifies artificial intelligence (AI), automation, experiential consumption, and changing patterns in wealth and life longevity as key forces shaping the future of hospitality, especially in the club management field.

“The pandemic refocused our attention on quality of life and the experiences we seek,” he says, adding that he has aligned his curriculum with post-pandemic shifts in hospitality behavior.

• Learn more about Isenberg’s HTM major.