Joseph Scarcelli, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Email:

jscarcelli@niagara.edu

Phone:

(716) 286-8281

Fax:

(716) 286-8277

Office Location:

St. Vincent's Hall, Room 413

Bio

Joseph Scarcelli is an assistant professor in the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management. He teaches classes in restaurant operations and sanitation, foodservice cost control, foodservice purchasing, beverage management, and food, wine and culture.

Prior to joining the faculty at Niagara University, Professor Scarcelli taught for eight and a half years at Purdue University, both as a lecturer and as a graduate teaching instructor. While at Purdue, Professor Scarcelli taught courses in sanitation and health in foodservice, quantity foodservice production (both lab and lecture courses), as well as led study abroad courses in international cuisine and culture to Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Other courses taught at Purdue include various levels of Italian, including Italian conversation classes. In addition, Professor Scarcelli has guest lectured on the topic of food security and defense, and contributed to the development of course material for a Purdue course in Homeland Security.

Professor Scarcelli brings more than 15 years of industry experience to the classroom. He has worked in nearly every position possible in restaurants, managed many kitchens, restaurants and bars, as well as worked briefly in hotels and catering, both within the realm of banquets and special events. Additionally, Professor Scarcelli is certified by the National Restaurant Association as a ServSafe instructor, and as a level I Master Sommelier by the Court of the Master Sommeliers.

Dr. Scarcelli’s past research has focused on consumer perceptions and behavior and on evaluating manufacturer performance claims of new products and materials. His current research focuses on food defense issues and disaster preparedness in the foodservice industry.

Professor Scarcelli also stays active in the community and lends his expertise whenever possible. In addition to guest lecturing at Purdue, he has also volunteered his time as a preparedness consultant, both for a retirement community for former servicemen and their spouses and for a food storage facility that services Purdue University. In addition, Professor Scarcelli was a presenter at a local middle school, aiding in the development of an after-school program aimed at keeping children interested in school and focused on their future.

Dr. Scarcelli earned a bachelor of arts in Italian Studies, with a minor in Political Science, from Purdue University. After spending time teaching English as a second language at a private language school in Europe, he returned to Purdue where he earned a master of science in Hospitality and Tourism Management. He received his Ph.D. in the same field.