Dr. Recep “Richie” Karaburun, also known as “Dr. K,” is a Clinical Associate Professor of Hospitality and Tourism at the NYU School of Professional Studies Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality and Tourism. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the Lubin School of Business at Pace University, an MBA from the George Argyros School of Business and Economics at Chapman University, and a BBA in International Relations from Uludag University in Turkey.

With more than two decades of global leadership experience in the travel and hospitality industry, Dr. Karaburun is a recognized expert in strategic growth, innovation, and business development. He has served on numerous industry panels and conferences, sharing insights on topics including sales leadership, supplier negotiations, hospitality innovation, the metaverse, and travel technology.

Since 2013, Dr. Karaburun has taught a wide range of courses at the Tisch Center, combining academic rigor with real-world experience. In recognition of his outstanding teaching and mentorship, he has received several honors, including the NYU SPS Excellence in Teaching Awards (2018, 2024), the Outstanding Service Award (2019), and most notably, the NYU Distinguished Teaching Award (DTA) in 2025. The DTA is one of NYU’s highest faculty honors, awarded annually to six full-time professors across the university who demonstrate exceptional commitment to teaching excellence, innovation, and student engagement both in and outside the classroom. Dr. Karaburun exemplifies this commitment through his student-centric pedagogy and inspiring mentorship.

In 2021, he was appointed Director of the NYU SPS Tisch Center of Hospitality Innovation Hub Incubator, where he supports student entrepreneurs and helps bridge the gap between academia and industry.

Dr. Karaburun’s most recent executive role was as Managing Director, North America, at Roomer, a peer-to-peer travel marketplace. His previous leadership positions include Vice President of Global Supplier Relations at RADIUS, President of GTA North America, and Vice President of Product Development at American Tours International—where he consistently drove revenue growth, operational efficiency, and strategic partnerships.

His research interests include cultural differences in service quality, social connectedness via social media, hotel distribution strategies, and digital customer engagement. His work has been published in leading journals such as the International Journal of Hospitality Management, and featured in media outlets including The New York Times, Skift, Reuters, Hotel News Now, and The Atlantic.

In 2023, Dr. Karaburun was named one of the Top 30 Most Influential Educators in Global Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute, further solidifying his reputation as a leader in both academia and the industry.