Meridith Balas
“Discover how world heritage sites like Machu Picchu, Yellowstone National Park and the Acropolis of Athens connect history, culture and tourism during "Heritage Tourism" (HONR 207).”
Meridith A. Balas is a faculty member in the Hardy Family Hospitality and Tourism Program at West Virginia University, where she serves as Director of the Nemacolin Hospitality Lab. With over 15 years of combined experience in higher education leadership and hospitality, Balas excels at connecting academic concepts with practical, real-world applications. She leads students through hands-on learning initiatives, guiding them in experiential hospitality projects and collaborating with industry leaders. As Director, she oversees the Van Scoy Fellowship and Nemacolin Ambassadorship programs, develops recruitment pipelines for future Mountaineers, and is currently expanding WVU’s badge program for luxury hospitality and business leadership. Balas’s work aligns closely with WVU’s land-grant mission by enhancing student career preparation and advancing regional partnerships within the hospitality and tourism industry.