Framingham State U. Adds Hospitality Major
FRAMINGHAM, MA- Framingham State University has announced it will offer its new major in hospitality and tourism management beginning next spring.
The bachelor's degree program will be the first of its kind in the state university system. The university hired John Palabiyik earlier this year to oversee the launch of the new major. Palabiyik taught hotel and restaurant operations at Texas Tech University and he taught culinary theory classes at Stratford University. He also worked as the director of food and beverage services for the Hunt Valley Wyndham Hotel in Maryland, according to his resume.
Since the university acquired the Warren Conference Center & Inn in Ashland in 2016 it has been trying to create the new major. The 65-acre property provides students with access to professional events and a conference center to hone their skills and learn the trade.
The new major will be housed in the university's College of Business and will feature an online hospitality certificate program for employees who are already in the industry and looking to advance their careers.
Framingham State University President F. Javier Cevallos said he welcomes the new program and is excited for what it could bring the university. "We are very excited to be able to offer this new in-demand major to our students," he said. "The job prospects in the hospitality industry are very strong in this region."
Palabiyik began offering an introduction to hospitality and tourism course this semester. He says students at Framingham State are in the perfect position to succeed in the new program. "The university's location just 20 minutes outside of Boston provides students with close access to an international tourism hub," says Palabiyik, who also offers his introductory course online. "Combine that with our ownership of the Warren Conference Center and Inn and all the pieces are in place for a truly dynamic program," he said.
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. He has also been in touch with universities in other countries in an effort to reach international students who may be interested in the program.
Source: https://patch.com/massachusetts/framingham/framingham-state-adds-hospitality-major?fbclid=IwAR2FsuTMxEoGYpar8EiLb3bjay5wtxd6BW9JZ6sAkMpCMJUrp7hB6FzkZUY
