Dr. RayeCarol Cavender is an Associate Professor in the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management (RTM) at the University of Kentucky. She holds a B.S. in Merchandising Management with a minor in Spanish from Virginia Tech and a M.S. in Consumer Affairs with a minor in International Studies from Auburn University. She holds a PhD in Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management from Virginia Tech with a focus on Apparel Business. She also has extensive experience in customer service in the hotel and restaurant industries.

At the University of Kentucky, Dr. Cavender teaches courses in merchandising, apparel, and textiles. Her major research interests include the brand management of luxury fashion goods, sustainable development in the retail sector, and pedagogical best practices for 1) fostering diversity, equity and inclusion, 2) education abroad and facilitating transformational travel experiences, and 3) soft skill development.

Dr. Cavender is a member of the International Textile and Apparel Association, the American Collegiate Retailing Association, and the National Retail Federation. Dr. Cavender also serves on the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s (CAFE) Diversity Advisory Council and is the Department Diversity Representative for RTM. In these roles, Dr. Cavender works to advance CAFE’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in four strategic areas: awareness, recruitment and retention, pedagogy, and partnerships.

Honors and Awards

• Martin-Gatton CAFE Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Accessibility (DEI&A) Award Nominee, 2023
• International Marketing Advisory Board, Woxsen University, Hyderabad, India, Since 2022
• University of Kentucky Outstanding Teaching Award Nominee, 2021
• University of Kentucky Ken Freedman Outstanding Faculty Advisor nominee, 2017