University of North Texas 
CMHT LEADERSHIP
Jana Hawley Ph.D.
Dean & Professor
Dr. Jana Hawley is the Dean of the College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism. Her prior appointments
include Director of the John and Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences
at University of Arizona, Department Chair of Textiles and Apparel Management at University
of Missouri, and Department Head at Kansas State University for Apparel Textiles and
Interior Design. She has also been faculty of merchandising at Indiana University,
University of North Texas, and University of Missouri.
Sanjukta Pookulangara Ph.D.
Professor & Chair, Merchandising and Digital Retailing
Dr. Sanjukta Pookulangara is a Professor in Merchandising and Digital Retail at University
of North Texas. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Missouri. Her research
expertise includes multi-channel retailing, social media with emphasis on SNS and
Visual Commerce consumer behavior, social responsibility with emphasis on slow fashion
and pedagogy. Additionally she is certified in User Experience and received UX Certificate
from Nielsen Norman Group:UXC, with specialization in UX- Research. She also currently
serves as the Chair for the Merchandising Division.
Kim H. Williams Ph.D.
Professor & Chair for Hospitality and Tourism Management Department
Dr. Kim Williams started in her role as the Chair of the Department of Hospitality
& Tourism Management at the University of North Texas (UNT) in February 2019. Dr.
Williams was named the Robert Dedman Endowed Chair in Club Management and serves as
the Faculty Advisor for the UNT CMAA Student Chapter. Dr. Williams was selected as
a Leadership Fellow in the UNT Faculty Leadership program for the 2019-20 academic
year. She was also appointed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Hospitality
Administration Field of Study Advisory Committee. Dr. Williams serves as the Faculty
Advisor for the Disney College Program in partnership with the UNT Career Center.
Sampath Pamidimukkala M.S.
Asst. Dean for Strategy, Technology & Marketing
Kelly Spry M.Ed., LPC
Director of Advising
Kelly is the Director of Academic Advising for CMHT and has been advising at UNT since
2005. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Baylor University and
a Master of Education degree in Counseling from UNT. Kelly enjoys watching football
(Go Cowboys and Sic ‘Em Bears!), going to concerts, and hanging out around Denton
with her husband and adorable son. She is also proud of her status as the reigning
Friends trivia champion.
