Dr. Hayes is a Professor of Advertising at the University of South Carolina and Director of the Social Media Insights Lab. Dr. Hayes is an expert in social media research and marketing communication having published more than 40 articles in top advertising, marketing, and communication journals. Dr. Hayes continuously works as a market research consultant.

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Dr. Hayes first traveled to Sint Maarten in 2011 and had returned several times since including leading the 2022-2025 UA in the Caribbean programs. and the first USC-UA in the Caribbean program in 2026. Dr. Hayes is both Director of the USC in the Caribbean program and instructor for the Social Media Analytics for Tourism Marketing course.

Dr. Essary is an Assistant Professor in the University of Alabama Department of Advertising and Public Relations and Director of the UA in the Caribbean program. She will be teaching the International Advertising and Public Relations course on her first trip to Sint Maarten this summer!