Personal Description:

Born and raised in Bombay, India, Sowmya has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics & Commerce from Bombay University, India, and then obtained a Master of Tourism Administration degree, with a specialization in Cultural & Heritage Tourism from The George Washington University, D.C. Working with varied organizations -such as The National Trust for Historic Preservation, Organization of American States, The Consulate of Canada, and Kuoni Travel India- has allowed her to travel, meet new faces, present at conferences and workshops, and collaborate extensively.

Since 2005, Sowmya has been with Centennial College as Faculty and Research Associate at the School of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts and is actively engaged in applied research and action learning at the College. A four time Centennial College Applied Research & Innovation Fellow, she serves as Co-Chair of the Centennial Research Ethics Board, and is currently working towards her Doctoral degree in Management studies (University of Liverpool, UK). Sowmya is also a trained classical dancer, an avid sportsperson, a professional orator and MC (Master of Ceremonies), and multi lingual (Diplome de langue -French, Hindi, Tamil, Gujarati).

Tutoring Experience:

Over 15+ years of Community College teaching experience - post graduate and post secondary classrooms. Sowmya has instructed a variety of hospitality and tourism courses- both online and in person, engaged in course development and revisions, program quality review, industry networking, student industry placement. Besides, she has also taught and mentored elementary, high school and College/ University students in social sciences, languages (English, French) and life skills (interviewing, resume preparation, industry placement, essay writing, debates, elocution and presentation skills) for over 20+ years in a one on one, private tutoring format, small group setting and online environments.

Tutoring Approach:

“I never let schooling interfere with my education” – Mark Twain

How do I learn? What does teaching or training mean to me?
Today, teaching is more about facilitating than instructing. Education for me, is a multidimensional process, a two way continuum that involves multiple intelligences, and one that moves beyond classroom boundaries. And learning assumes various forms- conversations, travel, reading, an evolving list that becomes more engaging if I can use what I have learnt in everyday life.

How do I help others learn?
Being in classroom is a spontaneous act for me, it has become so after years of rehearsing, experimenting and reflecting, interspersed with a focus on storytelling. It entails interpreting material and information in a way that my audience is able to relate and digest. Making the content sensible, meaningful and interesting is not always feasible; but working around the situation in order to translate situations into visual movement, appropriate body language, and involving learners to share their own by using effective communication channels ensures the learner is present physically and mentally. Above all, preparing for the unexpected, thinking on my feet, having an alternative script or back up activities to support material have always proved invaluable.

Why do I teach or train?
In a perfect world, field trips would become my classroom, volunteerism and experiential competencies would be career shaping cornerstones, train the trainer models would empower future student leaders, and technology would routinely benefit multiple intelligences. The perks of teaching entail the humbling pleasures of knowing I can be approached or asked for guidance and the laden responsibility there in. Converting this challenge to meet the complex demands of today’s learners in a diverse, multicultural and fast paced classroom, online or in person, keeps the wheels of innovation and passion in motion for me.