Hospitality Education - Reimagined

In the midst of a transformation, SNHU's hospitality program invites industry partners to collaborate in preparing the next generation of industry leaders.

By Dr. Susan Torrey, Hospitality Chairperson Southern New Hampshire University

Do you remember going to college/university and studying for exams to earn your degree? Today’s educational models and pedagogies have transformed the academic landscape to engage remote learning and “experiential” learning. Both you and I know, that we learn faster when we “do the job” because we understand what worked and what did not work back then. For the past twenty years, Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) has required our hospitality students to document 1 K hours of hospitality work experience, and rather than as a coop, they do not pay the institution for credits. This engages the learner because they are earning wages and paying off student debt simultaneously! Testimonials of student experiences validate competency-based learning, the gold standard today in education.

Hospitality education at SNHU is in the midst of a transformation. The University is committed to making education affordable. As an educator, whose career began in restaurant management it is well understood that our industry requires a competitive workforce. Maybe COVID 19 has thinned the competition, yet there are more categories of hotels and restaurants today than 20 years ago. Consumer’s discretionary income has a vast array of hospitality businesses vying to meet their needs. An online division of the University (SNHU Guild) has agreements with National Restaurant Chains Chipotle and Five Guys as well as the world’s leading Amusement Park company - Disney, to educate their workforce. The undergraduate, day hospitality program works with the traditional college students to prepare them for entry-level managerial positions in hospitality. Graduates typically remain in New England providing longterm relationships that formed during the multiple learning experiences gained throughout their academic journey.

Traditional classroom learning has morphed into multiple pedagogical platforms. Without sharing our secret sauce, we will send into industry our graduates, prepared to face the challenges of today and lead the way to future success.

Our Hospitality program invites you, our partners in the industry to collaborate with our program to offer Hospitality sales competitions, Hack-a-thons, etc… to prepare a workforce of critical and creative thinkers. If interested in becoming a cornerstone of futuristic education, please contact Dr. Susan Torrey, Hospitality Chairperson, Southern New Hampshire University at s.torrey@snhu.edu to create synergies’ in preparing the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Contact: Dr. Susan Torrey

Email: s.torrey@snhu.edu