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Friday, March 29, 2024
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UVI to Offer Hospitality Management Degree This Fall

UVI President David Hall said the university must cement relationships in the industry and remain partners as the program unfolds.The new Hospitality Management Degree program at the University of Virgin Islands is set to begin on St. Croix and St. Thomas this fall. That’s according to UVI President David Hall, who spoke Thursday to members of St. Croix’s Hotel & Tourism Association (HTA) and its Chamber of Commerce.

Noting that tourism is the heart and center of the V.I. economy, Hall said the program is desperately needed, adding that there had been a two-year program that went by the wayside years ago.

He told those gathered at the Buccaneer Resort on Thursday that there will now be a Bachelor’s of Business Administration in Hotel and Tourism Management, to be housed under the school of business. The degree will require 122 credit hours, with internships in the industry in the second and fourth year.

“Students have to be in the industry and on the ground to really see how the business operates,” Hall said. “These internships will be for four months.”

The first year of classes will be taught by existing faculty; and as they go forward, the university will reach out to tourism leaders on both islands to help with instruction. Students will take general education foundation courses, core business classes, and classes specific to the hospitality industry, such as customer service and food and beverage management.

Hall talked about the planning involved and working with the Department of Tourism and people in the industry. He said a grant from Tourism and the St. Croix Hotel & Tourism Association for $150,000 went towards the program’s planning and initiation.

He added the university is currently looking for an executive director to be “the voice and face” of the program.

“We have made tremendous progress with the program,” Hall said. “But we still have challenges. We must work with high school and middle school students and tell them of the value and opportunity in the program.”

He said UVI must also cement relationships in the industry and remain partners as the program unfolds and that said the university needs funding, especially support gifts and grants, to maintain a solid foundation.

Simone Palmer, vice president St. Croix HTA and owner of Sand Castle on the Beach resort in Frederiksted, said it is very exciting to have the program starting up.

“The cooperation between UVI and the local tourism industry has been tremendous,” she said.

Also during the meeting a $14,310 check was given to the Richard Patrick Henry Hospitality Scholarship Foundation. The funds were generated at the 2010 Holiday Hope Benefit sponsored by HTA and the Chamber last November.

Lisa Hamilton, executive director St. Croix HTA, said members will be thrilled to give every penny of the scholarship away. HTA currently has three $2,500 scholarships available.

The first is for a high school senior majoring in the hotel and tourism field; the second, for a student already enrolled at a university in hospitality; and the third is targeted toward a nontraditional student majoring in the hospitality field.

For more about the scholarships, call 774-6835.

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