Brigham Young University–Hawaii today announced the establishment of a new Center for Hospitality and Tourism at the university. The interdisciplinary Center is housed in the College of Business, Computing and Government and will be instrumental in fulfilling the growth-oriented goals of the Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) academic program: Academic Enhancement, Program Expansion, and Industry Engagement.
“Our HTM program is unique in the Church Educational System (CES) and the program’s future growth will play an important role in fulfilling the university’s ‘Learn-Lead-Build’ mission, particularly across our primary target area,” stated President John S. Tanner. As one of the world’s largest industries, tourism provides nearly 300 million global jobs and there is particular strong demand for entry-level management talent across the Asia-Pacific region. The HTM program at BYU–Hawaii is currently comprised of approximately 130 students and the new Center for Hospitality and Tourism will facilitate an initial growth objective of 250 students by the end of 2017.
The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation has generously contributed toward the establishment of the new Center. Executive Director Anne Gunsteens declared, “The Marriott Foundation is pleased to support the launch and ongoing activities of the Center for Hospitality and Tourism at BYU–Hawaii. This exciting new affiliation extends the foundation’s national network of partnerships with hospitality programs at institutions such as San Diego State University, Washington State University, DePaul University, Michigan State University, Cornell University and University of Delaware. We look forward to playing a role in the development of more career-ready BYU–Hawaii graduates across Asia-Pacific and the rest of the world.”
The Center will offer an enhanced HTM curriculum beginning in Fall Semester 2016 along with a range of new extracurricular and experiential learning opportunities to support program growth and student development. “Our focus is greater academic rigor and flexibility, new practicum and internship experiences, and more industry engagement and placement support,” stated Professor David Preece who was named as the Center’s first executive director. He added, “These significant changes will place us among the ranks of the nation’s best HTM programs, and this high-profile association with the Marriott name is an invaluable program asset.”
Key to the creation of this important industry-education partnership was Richard E. Marriott, a trustee of the Marriott Foundation, former Polynesian Cultural Center board member, and enduring friend of BYU–Hawaii. “This relationship with the Center for Hospitality and Tourism fulfills a long-standing desire to help accelerate the expansion and enhancement of the university’s hospitality program,” said Mr. Marriott. “This global industry is growing quickly across the school’s target region and it’s a great professional opportunity for the outstanding young students at BYU–Hawaii.”
“Everyone involved in this important initiative is grateful for the Marriott family’s generosity,” reiterated President Tanner. “We are all eager to reflect their confidence with the success of our HTM program.”
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