Lecturer
Dr. Mark Orlando
Title & Affiliation
Lecturer, Department of Exercise & Sport Studies
Academic Advisor, Sport Management Certification Program
University of California, Santa Barbara (UC Santa Barbara)
Specialization
- Sport Business
- Organizational Creativity
- Professional Development
- Sport Management Education
- Career Readiness & Workforce Development
Biography
Dr. Mark Orlando is a professor, consultant, and coach specializing in sport business and professional development, with over a decade of progressive experience across academic and industry environments. Known for his creative, interactive, and student-centered teaching style, he has received multiple awards, honors, and nominations from university departments and student organizations at UC Santa Barbara.
In addition to teaching, Dr. Orlando serves as the academic advisor for the Sport Management Certification Program, where he leads program innovation, curriculum design, and academic record oversight. His impact has been measurable—within one year, he increased certification completions by 33%.
He has also played a key role in expanding the department’s visibility and student engagement. Over four years, he built a strong digital presence for the Department of Exercise & Sport Studies, growing its social media following to over 6,000 across platforms. He conceptualized and chaired six bi-annual department conferences, featuring more than 350 student and team-based academic and entrepreneurial research presentations, creating meaningful experiential learning opportunities.
Dr. Orlando is deeply committed to bridging the gap between academic study and professional careers. He founded the Sport Management Career Club/ESS Cert Fellows program, which provides students with networking and hands-on experience opportunities with organizations such as ESPN Big West Productions, IMG College Los Angeles, Special Olympics Santa Barbara, and the Santa Barbara Foresters.
Beyond UCSB, his professional background includes roles in the sport industry with organizations such as Anschutz Entertainment Group and the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), as well as experience in the recreation and fitness sector. He also contributes to education more broadly by teaching seminars, courses, and workshops at institutions including Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and Management, UCLA’s Summer Discovery Program, MiraCosta College’s Emerging Leaders Institute, and UCSB Professional and Continuing Education.
Additionally, Dr. Orlando runs his own consultancy focused on preparing aspiring and early-career professionals. His work emphasizes soft skills development, personal branding, and strategic networking.
Education
- Ed.D., Organizational Leadership, Pepperdine University
- M.A., Sport Management, University of San Francisco
- B.A., History, California Lutheran University
Selected Publications/Books
(No specific publications or books listed.)
Courses Taught
- ESS 100 – Research, Inquiry, and Entrepreneurship in Exercise & Sport
- ESS 132 – Sport Sociology
- ESS 130 – Sport Administration
- ESS 140 – Sport Management
- ESS 160 – Current Issues in Sports