College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
Faculty and Staff
Donna Watts, M.S.
Title: | Instructor M.S., B.S., A.A., Certified Diamontologist |
Department: | Department of Retailing College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management |
Email: | dwatts@hrsm.sc.edu |
Phone: | 803-777-4297 |
Fax: | 803-777-4357 |
Office: | Close-Hipp 711 |
Resources: | Curriculum Vitae |
Education
M.S., Textiles, Clothing, and Interior Design, Winthrop University
B.S., Fashion Merchandising, Winthrop University
A.A., Fashion Merchandising, Anderson University
Certified Diamontologist, Diamond Council of America
Background
Donna Watts has been an instructor in the College of Hospitality, Retail, and Sport Management at the University of South Carolina since 2009 and has taught 11 different courses in both the Department of Retailing and the Department of Integrated Information Technology. She received a Bachelor of Science in fashion merchandising and a master of science in textiles, clothing, and interior design from Winthrop University in South Carolina. She is a certified diamontologist and WiX certified, one of the first instructors worldwide to teach WiX website development in the classroom.
Watts is an active member of the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Initiatives, the Women’s Leadership Institute Sub-committee, and the American Collegiate Retailing Association. Her recent service work also includes chairing several search committees as well as the HRSM Varney Distinguished Teacher of the Year Committee. She currently serves on the College of HRSM Faculty / Staff / Alumni Committee and regularly volunteers to help with student events. Watts is frequently interviewed by organizational websites such as WalletHub, Sourcing Journal, and CreditDonkey and is currently co-authoring Bloomsbury’s The Fundamentals of Digital Fashion Marketing (2nd ed.).
Prior to teaching, Watts worked in the retail industry for eight years in various capacities, including managing jewelry stores for a large corporation. She also has a variety of business experience outside of retail, including co-ownership and management of construction companies in Nashville, Tennessee, and Houston, Texas. Additionally, she has years of experience in advertising and marketing. Watts is actively involved in the community, serving as a volunteer for several charity organizations, including Harvest Hope Food Bank. She is an active church member, teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir. In her spare time, she enjoys interior decorating, SCUBA diving and spending time with family.
In the Media
- 2 new vintage stores in Columbia show second-hand shopping trends: Carolina News & Reporter
- 2022 WalletHub Economic Index: WalletHub
- Will SB 62 Help or Hinder a Revival of LA's Bustling Denim Industry?: Sourcing Journal
- Holiday Spending Tips: WalletHub
- Social Distancing Survey: 36 Million Americans’ #1 Way to Cope is Online Shopping: WalletHub.com