Departmental Contributions to the Strategic Path to Prominence

DEPARTMENT OF HOTEL, RESTAURANT AND INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT

1. A Diverse and Stimulating Undergraduate Academic Environment
    

   • Partner with local high schools and community colleges to identify under-represented student populations for admission into the culinary and hospitality management programs in HRIM. Provide scholarship funds to attract students from these partnership schools by providing need-based scholarships.
      
   • Promote academic enrichment programs such as undergraduate research and presentations at the Steele Symposium, the January “Graduate Conference” and publications through CHRIE’s HOSTEUR magazine. Promote the McNair Summer Scholars program to talented HRIM undergraduates.

2. A Premiere Research and Graduate University
    

   • Participate in a feasibility study for a college-wide Ph.D. program in Business, including an HRIM specialization within the proposed curriculum.
      
   • Collaborate with alumni and industry partners to develop industry-based case studies.

3. Excellence in Professional Education
    

   • Collaborate with the Division of Professional and Continuing Studies in offering certificate and distance learning programs.

4. The Initiative for the Planet
    

   • Initiate research related to the environment and greening with relevance to the hospitality industry.
      
   • Through the lodging module, educate HRIM students about green initiative practices in the industry using the Courtyard and Vita Nova as case studies. Publicize the environmentally-friendly initiatives being undertaken by the hotel and Vita Nova to increase community awareness.

5. The Global Initiative
    

   • Increase student participation in existing HRIM study abroad programs by establishing CMAA scholarships. Work with HRIM student organizations to sponsor fundraising events such as HRIM Celebrity chef events and/or an annual gala event.
      
   • Partner with the College to support international Visiting Scholars from global partner institutions.
      
   • Continue to prospect and align with such strategic international partners as Switzerland, Taiwan, Italy (Volterra), South Korea and other countries that could add value and financial resources to UD and the HRIM program.

6. The Engaged University
    

   • Position the HRIM program as a model program in the country for educating hospitality graduates with a community-service orientation by strengthening the existing 100-hour requirement for community service and by incorporating community-based projects within the HRIM curriculum.
      
   • Elevate and expand the Wise Executive-in-Residence program to attract senior executives from the hospitality industry to discuss best practices related to leadership and community service.
      
   • Strengthen existing relationships with SSTH and Wyndham Hotels and Resorts in global executive education and initiate new programs to deliver executive education to an expanded corporate base in the hospitality industry.