Ivy Tech Community College-Columbus has received approval from the Commission for Higher Education to offer the Hospitality Administration degree program. The Associate of Applied Science degree, the Associate of Science degree, and the Technical Certificate will be offered in two concentrations: Baking and Pastry Arts, and Culinary Arts.
Ivy Tech-Columbus will partner with C4 Columbus Area Career Connection to offer the professional/technical courses in the facilities at McDowell Adult Education Center. Beginning this fall, two courses will be offered at McDowell: Sanitation and First Aid, and Basic Food Theory and Skills. The general education courses that are part of every degree program will be taught at Ivy Tech.
The Baking and Pastry Arts concentration is tailored to prepare students to satisfy industry demands and American Culinary Federation Standards for Baker certification. The Culinary Arts concentration prepares students for entry-level positions, such as first, second, or sauté cooks, and sous chefs. Graduates of these programs will enter the food service industry equipped with manual, theoretical, and technical competence.
Carrie Douglas, currently an instructor in the culinary arts program for C4 at McDowell, has been appointed as Program Chair for the Hospitality Administration degree program. She holds an associate of science in culinary arts and a bachelor of science in food service marketing management from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. She completed an internship in culinary arts at The Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Beach Resort and has served as assistant manager in Boston at Houlihans at Fanueil Hall and as the chef at Columbus Regional Hospital and at Parkside Court.
Marilyn Metzler, Director of C4, said, “C4 is thrilled to further partner with Ivy Tech, especially in Hospitality, one of the three EcO15 areas of need in our region.”
Lynn Lucas, Executive Director of the Columbus Area Visitors Center, commented, “The Columbus Area Visitors Center is pleased that the educational opportunities for the hospitality and tourism industry are expanding. Hospitality employers and employees need educational opportunities to support the rapidly growing tourism businesses in our community and surrounding area. The addition of the Hospitality Administration degree program at Ivy Tech is very good news.”