Education

Ph.D. candidate, Higher Education Administration — Educational Leadership, Liberty University
MBA, Hospitality, Johnson and Wales University, 2016
M.A., Management and Leadership, Liberty University, 2014
B.S., Food Service Management, Johnson and Wales University, 2007
A.A., Culinary Arts, Johnson and Wales University, 2005

Background

Robert "Robby" Lybrand has more than two decades of experience in the restaurant and foodservice industry. During that time, he held many positions such as executive chef, restaurant owner, catering director and food and beverage director. Lybrand has also worked in several different sectors of the foodservice and hospitality industry, including private clubs, corporate restaurants, private restaurants, as well as a corporate theme park restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, in Walt Disney World.

Most recently, Lybrand spent six years at H. B. Swofford Career Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where he implemented and taught the culinary arts program. While there, he started the Culinary Arts Competition Team, which has competed for and placed in the state ProStart competition each year. Lybrand also oversaw all of the catering and fundraising functions within the school.

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In the Media

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2024

• What's a beverage lab? How USC's 'coolest room on campus' is shaping hospitality training: Post and Courier

2022

• Thanksgiving cooking tips: WLTX
• IBU? Aged beer? What does it all mean? Here’s a Free Times guide to craft beer lingo: Post and Courier

Awards / Honors

• H. B. Swofford Career Center — 2015 Teacher of the Year
• Johnson and Wales University — 2007 University Fellow

Teaching

• HRTM 160 – Breads, Pasta and Sauces
• HRTM 168 – Tailgating 101
• HRTM 169 – ServSafe
• HRTM 270 – Quantity Food Production

Professional Affiliations

• South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association
• National Restaurant Association
• National Restaurant Association Education Foundation
• ProStart Educator
• Kansas City BBQ Society
• University of South Carolina Gamecock Club

Certifications

• ServSafe Certified
• ServSafe Proctor Certified
• ServSafe Instructor Certified
• Read 2 Succeed, South Carolina Department of Education
• South Carolina Teaching Certification
• Certified Kansas City BBQ Society  Judge
• Certified Kansas City BBQ Society Table Captain