Gisele Canova

Gisele Canova is an Instructor at the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management, where she plays a pivotal role in coordinating professional internships and international programs for the nation’s top-ranked hospitality management and tourism program.

Gisele brings a wealth of industry experience, having held diverse operational roles with renowned organizations such as Disney, Hilton, and Loews Hotels. Her transition to education began a decade ago as a Graduate Teaching Assistant while pursuing her master’s degree, and she joined UCF as a full-time faculty member in 2018.

A key part of Gisele’s professional achievements lies in fostering partnerships in higher education. She has successfully created experiential learning opportunities for students, facilitated international internships, and organized college-wide events. Additionally, she has contributed to curriculum development, addressing critical topics such as Human Trafficking and Accessibility in the tourism industry, further enhancing the relevance of academic programs to real-world challenges.

Gisele’s academic credentials include a Master’s in Human Resources from Rollins College, where she specialized in recruitment and employee engagement. Her HR career highlights include recruiting for the Disney College Program and leading initiatives in employee recognition, work-life balance, and event coordination at the Walt Disney Company. She also facilitated Disney’s Youth Education Series for college students across the U.S.

She earned a second master’s degree, a Master of Science from the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, focusing on Event Management, Fairs and Festivals, and Strategic Issues in Hospitality and Tourism.