In 2023, Dr. Wickey Byrd was announced as the Executive Director of the UCF Center for the Study of Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery where she advances all anti-trafficking efforts for the college and university. Education, research, and community engagement are the pillars of the center, to be a resource for all anti-trafficking activities.
Dr. Wickey Byrd has 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, including restaurants, resorts, events, convention centers, non-profit fundraising, and live entertainment. As Director of the Internship Program, Dr. Wickey Byrd launched human trafficking education in 2020, creating robust curriculum to enhance the student’s internship education. Since inception, she has collectively educated more than 6,500 students to be able to identify and report human trafficking in their workplaces within the hospitality and tourism industry.
Dr. Wickey Byrd has presented on numerous panels both domestically and internationally. Currently, Dr. Wickey Byrd is a member of the Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Force; the Coalition to Combat Trafficking and works with WorldOrlando and the US Department of State to combat trafficking globally.