UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State School of Hospitality Management has named Andrew “Andy” Feinstein, president of the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), as its 2025-26 Walter J. Conti Visiting Professor.
The Conti Professorship program, now in its 37th year, brings hospitality industry leaders and scholars to serve as guest lecturers and mentors to students in the hospitality management program and connect with faculty members and researchers in the school.
The program’s theme for 2025-26 centers around the transcendency of hospitality higher education — or how every enterprise can be improved when it hires a hospitality management graduate or professional — including higher education.
“Andy demonstrates unequivocally how hospitality higher education can advance the quality of all institutions, industries and organizations,” said Donna Quadri-Felitti, Marvin Ashner Endowed Director of the Penn State School of Hospitality Management. “His leadership in higher education is testimony to his gift of leveraging the hospitality mentality to improve the lives of learners, scholars and communities well beyond one sector. He understands how the hospitality mentality positively impacts lives. We are delighted to have him join his alma mater to inspire the next generation of practitioners and educators.”
Feinstein will be in-residence at Penn State University Park for two visits in the fall 2025 and spring 2026 semesters to teach and advise students and faculty in their fields of study or areas of expertise. He will also engage in virtual seminars with undergraduate and graduate students throughout the academic year.
“I’m genuinely honored to be named the 2025-26 Walter J. Conti Visiting Professor and join the distinguished ranks of past Conti professors who have shaped our industry through innovation, leadership and teaching,” Feinstein said. “I look forward to rolling up my sleeves, engaging directly with students, staff and faculty, and sharing my insights on how my own degrees in hospitality management prepared me for leadership in higher education.”
As the 13th president of UNC, Feinstein’s leadership has helped the university undergo significant transformation, strengthening its role as a catalyst for educational innovation, economic growth and community engagement across Colorado.
Early in his tenure, Feinstein spearheaded the development of UNC's strategic plan, "Rowing, Not Drifting 2030." The plan first reinforced foundational elements, including infrastructure, technology and institutional processes, and eliminated a $10 million structural deficit. The second phase included stabilizing student enrollment and launching an alumni employment dashboard that demonstrated the global impact of UNC graduates. Currently, he is leading strategic priorities focused on attracting and retaining top-tier faculty and staff.
Advancing Colorado's health care landscape, Feinstein championed the establishment of the state’s first public osteopathic medical college, UNC’s proposed College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNC COM). His advocacy secured more than $200 million in financial commitments, including a $25 million gift from The Weld Trust — the largest in UNC’s history. UNC COM will welcome its inaugural class in fall 2026, directly addressing critical healthcare workforce needs and earning Feinstein recognition as a 2024 Powerbroker by the Denver Business Journal.
Emphasizing access, Feinstein introduced the UNC Tuition Promise, which provides tuition-free education to Colorado students from lower-income households; the Colorado First-Year Admission Guarantee, streamlining college entry for eligible students; and UNC Direct Admissions, offering qualified students automatic enrollment before they apply.
Under his leadership, UNC has advanced student success through initiatives such as the creation of faculty- and staff-led college advising centers and the development of technology and business process solutions that provide customized support to students. These efforts are resulting in record-breaking student retention and persistence rates, further bolstered by the institution's recent recognition as a Hispanic Serving Institution and its elevation to Carnegie’s Research 2 Classification.
Prior to his time at UNC, Feinstein has served in roles including professor, department chair, associate dean, dean and senior advisor to the president at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, (UNLV) and California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. He has published numerous journal articles and books on topics such as student success, strategic management, simulation modeling, purchasing and foodservice operations.
He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Hotel Administration from UNLV and a doctorate from the Penn State School of Hospitality Management.
About the Conti Professorship program
Walter Conti earned his bachelor’s degree in home economics from Penn State in 1952, becoming a well-known restaurateur and industry leader. He served on the Penn State Board of Trustees from 1974-92, achieving trustee emeritus status.
The Conti Professorship program was established by alumni and friends of the Penn State School of Hospitality Management in 1987 to honor Conti for his contributions to the school, Penn State and the hospitality profession. Beginning in 1988, industry leaders and hospitality’s best scholars have served each year as guest lecturers and mentors as part of this program. Conti died in 2016 at the age of 87.