University of New Hampshire Hosts Its First Annual High School Hospitality Management Summer Program

29 high school seniors from across the country participated in the week long session

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. September 10, 2014

DURHAM, NH - September 10, 2014 - The University of New Hampshire Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics held its first annual Hospitality Management Summer Program for rising high school seniors who are considering a career in the $3.5 trillion high-growth service industry of hospitality management. The one-week program took place July 20th through July 26th and introduced participants to the wide variety of careers available in the industry, including hotels, resorts, event management, food service businesses, and revenue management.

Nelson Barber, interim chair and associate professor of hospitality management, developed and managed the Hospitality Management Summer Program. The program is a first-class introduction to Hospitality Management for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the industry. This year, participates came from states as far away as California, Michigan and Pennsylvania.

“The Hospitality Management Summer Program is designed to give high school students the opportunity to learn more about the hospitality industry, meet successful alumni, and industry leaders, while experiencing what college life is all about at the state's flagship public university,” said Barber.

“The hospitality management summer program was a tremendous opportunity to immerse rising high school seniors into college life and to gain an appreciation for what the hospitality industry can offer as a career opportunity.” “The college fully supports this program and is looking forward to next summer's program,” said Interim Dean Arnold Garron of the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics.

While living on the UNH campus, participants experienced the excitement of college life, took college courses with renowned faculty, and met with current students and alumni involved with the UNH Hospitality Management Program. Participants were also introduced to the scope of the hospitality industry, senior level executives and the market forces at play in this competitive field through presentations, hands-on experience, guest speakers and computer simulations. A typical day included a field trip to Wentworth By the Sea in New Castle where participants learned firsthand how a four-star Marriott resort operates, an afternoon tour of a mid-size Portsmouth historic inn, and an evening event on campus with hospitality management faculty and students.

“Overall, the Summer Program exceeded my expectations by far. I learned so much, made so many new friends, and fell in love with UNH even more,” stated Erin Clarkin from Pennsylvania. “Most importantly, the program clarified my passion for the industry. I think I speak for all the students when I say this was the best week of my summer and leaving was so hard.”

The 2015 summer program application process will begin in early spring 2015. To learn more, visit https://paulcollege.unh.edu/departments/hospitality-management/hospitality-management-summer-program.

About UNH's Hospitality Management Program

UNH's Hospitality Management program is the second-oldest hospitality management program in the United States. The program provides students with the overall breadth and depth of a common core of business courses in accounting, economics, information systems, and management, as well as professional interdisciplinary courses and internship opportunities in hotel management, food service and restaurant management, conventions and event management and other hospitality management areas.

Beginning in fall 2014, UNH Hospitality Management students can “Choose Their Own Path to Success,” by specializing in three areas: food and beverage management, lodging and resort management, and event management. UNH graduates have a high placement rate with starting salaries competitive to the market.

About UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics The UNH Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics offers a full complement of high-quality programs in business, economics, accounting, finance, information systems management, entrepreneurship, marketing, and hospitality management. Programs are offered at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive development levels. The college is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, the premier accrediting agency for business schools worldwide. For more information, visit paulcollege.unh.edu.

The University of New Hampshire, founded in 1866, is a world-class public research university with the feel of a New England liberal arts college. A land, sea, and space-grant university, UNH is the state's flagship public institution, enrolling 12,300 undergraduate and 2,200 graduate students.