About Us
Mission of the Hospitality and Event Management Program
The undergraduate degree program in Hospitality and Event Management prepares leaders for careers in major hospitality industry segments through academic and research programs valuing quality of life, business success, collaborative partnerships, creative approaches, and ethical principles.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates from the program will demonstrate:
- Foundational knowledge of hospitality operations
- Competence in business practices and managerial decision-making
- Effective written and verbal communication skills
- Interpersonal skills including professional behavior, collaborative relationships, and proficiency in networking
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving
Evidence of Hospitality Major Success
We conducted two surveys in 2014 and 2016 with a group of our program alumni. The results of those surveys were combined. Alumni rated their experience on a scale of 1-7, 1 being not prepared and 7 being excellent.
- 99% rated their quality of preparation in professional conduct a 5, 6, or 7
- 97% rated their quality of preparation in oral and written communication, quality of preparation in leadership, and quality of preparation in food safety and sanitation a 5, 6, or 7
- 96% rated their quality of preparation in problem solving/decision making a 5, 6, or 7
Program Statistics
- Students employed in the hospitality industry or a related field after graduation: 100%
- Student Retention Rate: 77.3%
Hospitality Management Industry Statistics
The hospitality management industry is experiencing a period of large growth.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the number of foodservice management positions to increase 9% from 2016–2026.
- Nearly 1.6 million additional jobs are expected in restaurants and foodservice by 2028.
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects a 13% increase in casino hotel managers from 2008-2018, and a 4% increase in hotel and lodging managers from 2016–2026.