School of Hospitality Management

The School of Hospitality Management prepares students to take a leading role in one of the largest and most diversified industries in the world. With opportunities in events, spas, resorts, food and beverage, conferences, clubs, cruising, casinos, training, senior communities, wedding coordination and consulting, graduates will have an array of opportunities to choose from. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that the hospitality and tourism industry will generate approximately $6.5 trillion dollars annually and expects to create 10 million positions each year until 2014. The industry currently employs 234.4 million individuals, and is growing at an annual rate of 4.3%.

The School of Hospitality Management at Endicott College provides the innovative and progressive educational experience needed for the increasingly demanding job market. Graduates of the Hospitality Management degree program will have gained knowledge and insights that will enable them to be competent leaders for the future.

Endicott’s Hospitality Management program explores the industry through courses such as organizational and strategic management, marketing, cost control, accounting, lodging and restaurant management. In addition to professional expertise, graduates will have the breadth and depth of knowledge that comes from studying in a comprehensive liberal arts environment. This will enable them to adapt and possess the flexibility to contribute to the dynamic changes taking place within the hospitality industry.

Through the development of entrepreneurial, interpersonal and professional skills, students are prepared for leadership roles. Furthermore, students may apply hands-on learning in Endicott’s restaurant, La Chanterelle, the nontraditional classroom.

In a global industry, such as hospitality management, international opportunities are a key aspect of the educational experience. Students are encouraged to take advantage of numerous international experiences through their college tenure, such as distant internships and study abroad programs. Students can spend a semester at the world-renowned Les Roches Hotel Management School in Switzerland, the Leeds Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom, the Shannon College of Hotel Management in Ireland, Apicius International School of Hospitality in Florence, Italy, or at the International College of Management in Sydney, Australia. Students also have the opportunity to participate in other international programs during their studies.

To help meet the needs of industry, the School of Hospitality Management offers concentrations in Events Management, Senior Community Management, and Spa and Resort Management.

Events Management encompasses a variety of planned cultural, sport, political, music, social and business activities. Concepts such as planning and developing special themes will be discussed from an organizational perspective. Events are unique in that they typically require corporate sponsorship and a volunteer work force to operate. These dynamics will be explored to give students the expertise required to succeed in this emerging field. Qualified graduates of the program have the opportunity to continue with graduate studies in Events Management at Leeds Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.

Senior Community Management is another concentration offered. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2025 18.5 % of the population will be 65 or over, an 80% increase over 2000. The nation’s population of seniors will be at 81 million by 2050. Baby Boomers will be healthier and more active than their parents in retirement and will require a standard of living that reflects their lifestyles and expectations. The demographic shift is shaping the market for providing modern living options for aging Baby Boomers. When looking at Senior Communities, they reflect the three most important aspects of the hospitality industry: lodging, foodservice and events. Upon completion, students will have the required skills to be successful managers in this emerging segment of the hospitality industry.

By the nature of their development, there is a degree of inseparability between spas and resorts. Both require a unique skill set that differs from traditional lodging facilities. According to the International Spa Association, as of June 2008, there were 18,100 spas in the United States offering over 303,700 employment opportunities. There has been a 24% growth in spas from July 2007 to June 2008. In this fast-paced world, consumers are increasingly seeking opportunities to indulge in leisure and wellness activities. This has led to a rapid growth and expansion in this sector of the hospitality industry. The Spa and Resort Concentration will provide students the competencies to start a career in this exciting and growing field.

The School of Hospitality Management is committed to fostering personal and professional growth through effective teaching and mentoring. Hospitality students have the opportunity to become members of the Eta Sigma Delta (ESD) honor society, sponsored by the International Council of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Educators (I-CHRIE). The focus on developing the talents of each individual means that Endicott is increasingly recognized as a progressive leader in the field of hospitality management education. Graduates hold positions as leaders and innovators in a wide range of organizational settings with major international and domestic companies or in their own businesses.