Since 2007, Min-Young Lee has been teaching in the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management at the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. She has since worked to become the current Chair of the department.

“Leadership is not only about choosing a path and having others follow, there are all different styles,” Lee said. “I see this as an opportunity to serve the college in a new way, which I’m grateful for.”

Originally from South Korea, Lee noted that her family was happy yet shocked that she took on a leadership role.

“It can be a stereotype that Asians are more likely to stay back, behind the scenes,” Lee said. “It’s not common for us to want to step up and lead, especially women.”

Lee received her undergraduate degree and master’s degree in communication. While studying, she was interested in research related to marketing and management.

This led to Lee’s pursuit of a Master of management science degree, which she completed in 2003. Lee enjoyed knowing her work conducted in this space would benefit businesses directly. She then went on to receive her Ph.D. in retail and consumer science in 2007.

Lee’s earlier research supported businesses become more profitable.  Today, her research is focused on businesses’ responsibility to deliver on their brand promise to consumers and communities.

“Obviously businesses must make a profit,” Lee said. “But now, consumers are interested in more than just a product. They want to buy from a company that is investing in its audience and their community.”

Her secondary research project focuses on people in America that travel back to their home country for medical care. Lee said this is especially common in the Asian community. She is interested in what drives these motivations to travel for health care, and how to accommodate those consumer needs.

“In our deparment, we touch a different side of agriculture—the business side,” Lee said. “It is good that we can contribute our research findings, and we make the college more well-rounded.”

Lee enjoys retailing and tourism because it is so closely related to business and marketing. She said many of her students are double majors, giving them additional academic experiences to be competitive upon graduation.

“I am deeply grateful for the department faculty and college administration’s support for helping me succeed in this new role,” Lee said. “Their unwavering assistance, guidance and encouragement have been instrumental in the smooth transition and my continued growth.”

The mission of the college’s Office of Diversity is to continually foster an environment of inclusion, respect and appreciation of differences.

“Our college continues to embrace our community members and the many backgrounds shared within our communal spaces,” said Kendriana Price, assistant dean of diversity, equity and inclusion at Martin-Gatton CAFE. “We honor the voices, stories and experiences across our college as we strive to uplift their authentic experiences and foster an inclusive environment for all.”

To learn more about the Retailing and Tourism Management department, visit rtm.ca.uky.edu.

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