The hospitality industry is one of the largest in the world; you can prepare for a rewarding career in this field by earning a bachelor's degree in Hospitality Business Management! Our degree will prepare you to succeed in the management of the lodging, and foodservice segments and all that encompasses—operations, revenue management, sales, event planning, and consulting. We are also very excited about our new option in Wine Business Management—a first-of-its-kind interdisciplinary degree that brings together viticulture, enology, and business. As director of the School of Hospitality Business Management, I encourage you to learn more about how we can prepare you for careers in the hospitality industry.

The School of Hospitality Business Management (SHBM) is the third oldest hospitality program in the country, celebrating our 75th anniversary in 2007. Our alumni live and work around the globe. As part of the WSU College of Business, our certified majors enjoy the many benefits of earning a four-year degree grounded in the business disciplines of management, accounting, marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, information systems, and international business.

You will find SHBM's program of study is built upon a solid foundation of hospitality and business courses. This includes an up-to-date curriculum, outstanding faculty members with industry experience, and specialized classroom facilities including our own state-of-the-art teaching/production kitchen, elegant dining room, and wine-tasting area—all made possible through a very generous donation from the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation. Our 1,000 hour work experience/internship requirement allows SHBM students many opportunities to learn and work in the hospitality industry across the United States and abroad. We have faculty-led programs in Switzerland, Italy, South Korea, Thailand, and other parts of the world. We have many industry partners who regularly recruit on our campus for interns and graduates.

There are many opportunities to become involved in activities outside of the classroom such as the SHBM Ambassadors, the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, and the Sigma Iota Chapter of Eta Sigma Delta International Hospitality Management Honor Society. The school also provides opportunities for you to “earn while you learn” through our student-run operations—the Atrium Café, SHBM Catering, and SHBM Vending. In addition, the school awards about $100,000 annually in scholarships to deserving students.

The school hosts the Distinguished Burtenshaw Lecture every year that brings to campus some of the top leaders in the hospitality industry. Every spring the school hosts a special Career Night bringing to campus over 40 companies including ARAMARK, Compass Group, Marriott International, Fairmont Hotels, Hilton, Hyatt Hotels, Kimpton Hotel and Restaurant Group, Inc., Red Lion Hotels, Darden Restaurants, and Starwood Hotels and Resorts. During the academic year we bring several top industry leaders to campus to speak in classes and to share their experiences with you.

I welcome you to the many career opportunities available in the hospitality field. Please contact me personally if I can answer any questions or provide more information. A degree in hospitality can truly be your passport to the world!

Nancy Swanger
Director