Patricia R. Agnew  joined the Culinary Institute of Charleston at Trident Technical College in July 2005 as department head of Hospitality and Tourism Management. Prior to joining the Culinary Institute, she served as chair of the hospitality department at Johnson & Wales University where she was also an associate professor of hospitality and an assistant professor in the culinary department. Her teaching experience includes international education as a visiting lecturer at the University of Wales Institute at Cardiff, Matej Bel University in Slovakia and the IHTTI School of Hotel Management in Switzerland. Her work has been recognized  with numerous teaching and professional awards and her industry experience includes ownership and management of various lodging, food service and private club operations.  She currently participates in professional associations including the Greater Charleston Concierge Association, the Greater Charleston Hotel and Motel Association, the Council on Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Education, SC Hospitality Association, American Hotel & Lodging Association, Les Dames d’Escoffier and Slow Foods International. Agnew holds a bachelors degree in business administration and a master’s degree in hotel, restaurant and tourism administration from the University of South Carolina and an intermediate certificate of culinary studies from La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine in Paris. She is also a certified hospitality educator (CHE) according to standards achieved through the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association.