News Room
The Club Management Association of America Names Five Faculty Research Grant Recipients
Alexandria, VA—The Club Management Association of America announces the recipients of the 2026 Faculty Research Grants:
- Eric T. Brey, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Stout
- Po-Ju Chen, Ph.D., Texas A&M University
- Jichul Jang, Ph.D., CHE, CHIA, Kansas State University
- Yiran (Kevin) Liu, Ph.D., James Madison University
- Michael L. Wray, Ph.D., Metropolitan State University of Denver
The Faculty Research Grant Program, led by CMAA’s Research Department, supports club industry research projects and efforts facilitated by hospitality faculty members of accredited, four-year institutions, with established hospitality degree programs.
Faculty Research Grant recipients will receive support from the CMAA Research and Education departments and be considered for funding from The Club Foundation based on the availability of funds.
Approved research projects address priority needs identified by club management professionals including governance and organization structure, technology and AI usage, team member engagement, employee satisfaction, and wellness.
About CMAA
Founded in 1927, the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) is the largest professional association for managers of membership clubs with 8,700 members throughout the US and internationally. Our members contribute to the success of more than 2,600 country, golf, athletic, city, faculty, military, town, and yacht clubs. The objectives of the Association are to promote relationships between club management professionals and other similar professions; to encourage the education and advancement of members; and to provide the resources needed for efficient and successful club operations. Under the covenants of professionalism, education, leadership, and community, CMAA continues to extend its reach as the leader in the club management practice. CMAA is headquartered in Alexandria, VA, with 38 professional chapters and 45 current and prospective student chapters. Learn more at cmaa.org.
About The Club Foundation
The Club Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established by CMAA to fund the life cycle of a club manager’s career, providing financial support for five key areas: students, faculty, club managers, CMAA Chapters, and the club industry at large. It supports the advancement of club management professionals, funding industry education programs through scholarships and grants, and has awarded more than $8.5 million in scholarships and grants since 1988. Learn more at clubfoundation.org.