Framingham State to offer hospitality, tourism management major
Framingham State University is gearing to launch a new major for students interested in pursuing careers within the food, travel, and international tourism industries.
The new bachelor’s degree program in Hospitality and Tourism Management, part of the university’s College of Business, will be available to students starting in spring 2019, after being approved by the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education on Dec. 11.
“We are very excited to be able to offer this new in-demand major to our students,” Framingham State president F. Javier Cevallos said in a statement. “The job prospects in the hospitality industry are very strong in this region.”
The university earlier this year hired John Palabiyik, who has a master’s degree in business administration and a PhD in hospitality administration, to oversee launch of the anticipated new major. Palabiyik began offering an “Introduction to Hospitality and Tourism” course this semester in advance of the new major being approved.
Framingham State has been seeking to create the major since the state acquired the Warren Conference Center & Inn in Ashland on the university’s behalf in 2016. The 65-acre property will provide students with access to a professional event and conference center to hone their skills in the trade.
In addition to the new major, the university will also offer an online hospitality certificate program for employees who are already in the industry and looking to advance their careers.
Palabiyik’s plans for the program include establishing a student Hospitality Club, a weekly speaker series featuring industry professionals, field trips to visit major companies in the region, and a faculty-led study abroad opportunity focused on hospitality, according to officials.
John Laidler can be reached at laidler@globe.com
Source: https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/globelocal/2018/12/23/framingham-state-offer-hospitality-tourism-management-major/OXjJDRzNcg1eGhb8KmFHgN/story.html?event=event25&fbclid=IwAR3L2yheW3QMX2Srj3qCVdsV97JW0tjJI9IN4fuAhOPVCIZcnB4qt1wkmYs
