Get to know your consultants
Natalie Hudson, Ph.D.
Dr. Natalie Hudson holds both an M.A. and Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and a B.A. in Integrative Biology from the University of California at Berkeley, ranked 12th in the QS World University Rankings. With 28 years of global teaching and administrative experience in the United States, Mexico, China, and Singapore, Dr. Hudson's expertise includes communication, curriculum development, teacher education, and executive education.
With a strong commitment to student development, she has earned numerous prestigious teaching awards, including an Outstanding Teaching Award from the University of Nevada Las Vegas and the highly esteemed Annual Teaching Excellence Award from the National University of Singapore, ranked 8th in the QS World University Rankings.
As Project Director at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Dr. Hudson led initiatives in online programs, student success, and the Tribal Education Initiative. Her extensive experience includes serving as an Assistant Professor-in-Residence at the University of Nevada Las Vegas Singapore, where she developed and taught a diverse array of courses and professional development workshops. Dr. Hudson's multicultural background, fluency in multiple languages, and proficiency in online education software underscore her adaptability and global perspective.
Dr. Hudson's proficiency in research, standards-based assessments, and mentorship has shaped the academic journeys of students and faculty alike. An accomplished author and presenter, Dr. Hudson has contributed to numerous regional and international conferences. Beyond academia, Dr. Hudson actively contributes to her community through volunteer teaching and service roles, embodying her belief in the transformative power of education.
Kurt Stahura, Ph.D.
Dr. Kurt A. Stahura completed his B.A. at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota. He most recently served as the Director of Research for the Niagara Global Tourism Institute. The institute – based on research, workforce skills development, technology, and entrepreneurship – conducted practical analysis and served the needs of the community, analyzing possible avenues for economic development to bring together public and private entities.
Prior to Niagara University, Dr. Stahura served as the Managing Director for UNLV Singapore which was part of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. He has also served as Dean, Assistant Dean, Program Director and Director for Academic and Student Affairs over the course of his administrative and academic career. Dr. Stahura is committed to academic excellence, the advancement of scholarship, civic engagement, and the development of the whole person as students embark on their journey as global citizens in a diverse world.
Dr. Stahura has taught Leisure, Tourism, Sport, Organizational Behavior, Research Methods, Leadership, and Intercultural Communication. He has also conducted research on a variety of cultural and social trends in leisure, hospitality, tourism, and sport. Dr. Stahura has served as a journal editor and been on a number of editorial boards. He has published over 40 articles appearing in regional, national, and international journals and has delivered over 130 presentations and conference keynote speeches. The Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research recently acknowledged Dr. Stahura and his co-authors as having the best academic paper of the year. The article focused upon marketing and social media.
Dr. Stahura has also been involved extensively in executive education, creating a bridge between the academy and industry. He has developed partnerships with businesses, community organizations, and outside agencies regionally, nationally, and internationally. His scholarly pursuits and consulting expertise have brought him to countries throughout Asia, Europe, and South America as well as around the United States. Dr. Stahura has also provided consulting assistance on issues surrounding educational program development, organizational structuring, and cultural communication.
Vicki Holmes, Ed.D.
Dr. Vicki Holmes is Professor Emeritus at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Before teaching at UNLV, Vicki taught English at the University of California, Riverside; Panama Canal College in Panama City, Panama; the University of Maryland Extension in Spain; and the Community College of Southern Nevada.
Dr. Holmes completed her undergraduate degree in theatre and English at New Mexico State University, two master’s degrees in theatre and education at Arizona State University and Denver University, and her doctorate in adult education and applied linguistics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her research interests focus on second language writing and speaking.
Dr. Vicki Holmes is the co-author of the Cambridge University Press text, Pattern Poems, Creative Writing for Language Acquisition, as well as the author of more than 25 scholarly articles. She regularly presents her research at international conferences and meetings.
Evelyn Kwan Green, Ph.D.
Dr. Evelyn Kwan Green holds a B.S. in Hotel and Restaurant Administration, an M.B.A. with a marketing emphasis, an M.S. in Instructional Technology, and a Ph.D. in Human Capital Development from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Dr. Green has 30 years of work experience in higher education including 10 years of casino, hospitality, and tourism management instruction. She rebuilt The University of Southern Mississippi’s casino management program and developed its undergraduate online casino management certification. Dr. Green spent two years as an Assistant Professor-in-Residence with the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Singapore campus. She joined the University of South Alabama in August 2015 to help build its Hospitality and Tourism Management program. Dr. Green served as the University’s Director of the Hospitality Tourism Workforce Innovation Alliance.
Dr. Green applies her multidisciplinary academic background to develop interdisciplinary pedagogies to help prepare her students for sustainable employment, local and global leadership, and engaged citizenry. Her skills include developing public-private partnerships, project/event implementation, management, and strategic planning for professional/workforce recruitment, training, and development. Her research interests focus on student learning success through business-education partnerships and employee volunteerism, and best practices for developing a workplace-ready workforce for the hospitality, tourism and casino industry.
Meagan Madariaga Hopkins, M.A.
Meagan Madariaga-Hopkins holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and has over 25 years of educational experience in junior high and high school (5 years) and higher education (20+), having worked and taught for the College of Southern Nevada (CSN); University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV); University of Texas, Austin (UT); and Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), Reno.
At UNLV, Meagan held positions as Professional Writing Consultant for the Writing Center, Technical Writer for the Howard Hughes College of Engineering, and Program Coordinator the National Institute for the Advancement of Education (NIAE) in the College of Education.
She recently completed a project as English Language Specialist for the U.S. Department of State training university lecturers in best practices for teaching at several technical universities in Vietnam. Her specialties include teacher training and curriculum design, technical writing and editing, and public speaking.
Kenia Taylor, Ph.D.
As a seasoned researcher specializing in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence within the dynamic realm of hospitality, Dr. Kenia Taylor is dedicated to pushing the boundaries of innovation. Hailing from the vibrant landscapes of the Bahamas, she has seamlessly integrated her passion for travel and tourism with a robust educational journey.
Dr. Taylor earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where she delved deep into cutting-edge research and advanced methodologies. Her commitment to academic excellence continued with a Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Hospitality Administration/Management from Florida International University, where she actively engaged in various leadership roles, including participation in the Academy of Leaders and the International Students Club.
With a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Hospitality Administration/Management and a Minor in Tourism, earned Cum Laude from Florida International University, Dr. Taylor laid the foundation for her illustrious career.
Driven by the goal to showcase the Bahamas as a global tourism ambassador, Dr. Taylor combines her academic prowess with real-world insights. Her expertise in the intersection of hospitality and technology positions her as a valuable asset in the ever-evolving landscape of the hospitality industry.
As a part of the Red Rock Academic Consulting team, Dr. Taylor brings a wealth of knowledge, a passion for innovation, and a commitment to excellence. She is dedicated to leveraging her skills to assist clients in navigating the intersection of hospitality, robotics, and artificial intelligence.