Hospitality Management General Information
Hospitality Management Faculty
Our faculty members are dynamic and highly qualified, with expertise and prior careers in many facets of the hospitality industry. They are committed to providing our students with a well-rounded education. HM Faculty are dedicated to assisting students to find an aspect of the industry that is most intriguing for them to pursue when entering the profession after graduation.
Besides teaching Hospitality Management courses, faculty are assigned as mentors for students in the major. Students should meet with their Faculty Mentor at least once per year to discuss industry-related topics, including building a strong resume, pre-internship and internship opportunities, post-graduation job placement, and development of quality industry mentors. Students must meet with their Faculty Mentor for approval of their pre-internship experience; therefore, it is strongly advised that HM students also seek pre-approval of their pre-internship. Students can find the name of their HM Faculty Mentor (not Member) on their MyOleMiss account under the tab “Student → Academics → My advisors.”
Core Curriculum and Academic Advising
Students in the Hospitality Management Program in the Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management all share in the commonalities of a liberal arts education while at the University of Mississippi. Freshmen students begin by taking required University courses in English, science, mathematics, humanities, and fine arts. Freshmen are advised by the University’s Center for Student Success and First-Year Experience (CSSFYE), located in Martindale. This has been shown to be beneficial for all freshmen in the School of Applied Sciences, significantly increasing freshman retention rates.
Sophomore, Junior and Senior students are advised in the NHM Department by the Coordinator for Advising, Recruitment, and Retention. Sophomores begin their core curriculum of the program. During meetings with the Coordinator for Advising, Recruitment, and Retention, students lay out the course roadmap that they will follow throughout the program to graduation.
For a complete listing of courses required to fulfill a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality Management click the “Hospitality Management Curriculum” link to the right.
Industry Experience (Pre-Internship and Internship Requirements)
Students in the Hospitality Management Program are actively involved in many areas of the industry during their time at The University of Mississippi. Much of this experience is gained through the accumulation of 600 industry hours.
The Program’s Pre-Internship requires gaining 200 industry hours (total) during the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years. Although many of these hours are accrued by assisting in departmental and campus-wide events, working in the local hospitality industry, and volunteer experiences within the Lafayette-Oxford-University community, students may also pursue opportunities in other locations such as their hometown.
During a student’s senior year, after the 200 required Pre-Internship hours and other course pre-requisites are completed, they are eligible to register and complete the hospitality management internship, NHM 484. Students enrolled in this coursework an average of 40 hours a week during Fall, Spring, or Full summer semester, completing a total of 400 hours in an enriching and rewarding facet of the industry.
Although most students find their own pre-internships and internship, it is recommended that you seek advice from your HM Faculty Mentor. HM Faculty Mentors are dedicated to assisting students to find an aspect of the industry that is most intriguing to them to pursue when they enter the profession upon graduation.
For more information on the Hospitality Management Program’s Internship Requirements, click the “Internships” link to the right, or contact Mrs. Candis Couch Varnell, Internship Director at cvarnell@olemiss.edu.
Emphasis Areas and Hospitality Management Electives
The Hospitality Management Program offers a variety of interesting electives for students to gain knowledge and acquire hands-on learning within the industry. Some of these elective courses include topics in event management, lodging, bar and beverage management, food service management, and service management. In addition to nearly 50 hours of professional Hospitality Management core courses, students choose 9 hours of Hospitality Management electives or 12 hours of Hospitality Management electives in a chosen emphasis area of foodservice, lodging, or event management.
Study Abroad and Study USA
Get ready to take your learning outside of the classroom! The Hospitality Management Program offers students the opportunity to travel either within the USA or abroad for academic credit. Both Study USA and Study Abroad programs are faculty-led by Nutrition and Hospitality Management faculty members and vary in length from 5 days to two weeks. Students travel to major domestic and international destinations to attend and participate in professional trade shows as well as tour a variety of hospitality operations to learn first-hand from professionals currently leading the industry. Destinations include Chicago, New York City, Las Vegas, and Florence Italy.
For more information on Study Abroad and Study USA/Abroad opportunities in Hospitality Management, click the “Study USA Program” link to the right. Details about the Trade Shows, Conference Expos and Tourist Destinations is provided here.
Explore Trade Shows, Conference Expos, and Tourist Destinations through Study USA/Abroad
Two of the most popular trade shows and conference expos offered by Hospitality Management faculty-led Study USA tours include the Hotel Experience and Boutique Design Trade Show in New York City and the National Restaurant Association (NRA) Show in Chicago. Both of these educational trips include visiting exhibitor booths, attending educational seminars and industry-specific events, networking with industry leaders, and touring successful hotels and food/beverage operations. Students on these trips represent the Hospitality Management Program, the Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management, the School of Applied Sciences, and the University of Mississippi as they are seen as ambassadors for the program while interacting with industry professionals and students from other universities and colleges from around the world.
The trip to the Hotel Experience and Boutique Design Trade in New York City is offered during the Fall in November and the trip to the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago is offered during the May Intersession.
Through Study USA and Study Abroad, students in the Hospitality Management Program have also benefitted from educational travels to Las Vegas and Italy.
While in Las Vegas, students visit and stay on the historic Vegas Strip where they tour world-class hotels, casinos, and dining operations. During this trip, which is offered during the January winter intersession, students interact with Las Vegas industry professionals as they see state-of-the-art hotel rooms, visits to the casino floors, dine in luxury restaurants, and see much of the behind-the-scenes operations that are rarely open to the public.
If studying abroad is calling you, then come to explore Florence and the Tuscany regions in Italy. Travel for this course is for 2 weeks in May or June. Students visit wineries among the many vineyards just outside of Florence, travel to the town of Modena to explore their famous balsamic vinegar and visit a cheese making factory near Bologna. Students have time to explore the cities, including a guided tour the Uffizi Art Gallery, one of the oldest and best-known art galleries in Europe and will also participate in an olive oil tasting and cooking classes at the Apicius Culinary School!
Where are you interested in traveling? Speak to your Faculty Mentor today to see what great educational travel opportunities await you!
Scholarships
Each year, scholarships are awarded to outstanding hospitality management students. Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, professional motivation, and financial need.
For more information on Hospitality Management Industry Scholarships, click the “Scholarships” link to the right.
Alumni Relations and Industry Development
The Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management maintains contacts with many former students and other associates in the hospitality industry. Although many of our alumni live in the South (Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, and Texas), several others live in other states (New York, North Carolina, and Hawaii). Our alumni and other industry partners visit the department from time to time to interact with current students and faculty members and enjoy seeing how the department is growing and improving each year. The Hospitality Management Program also works with many industry leaders and professional organizations to develop more unique experiences for our students.
The Hospitality Management Culture at The University of Mississippi
In knowing that the Department of Nutrition and Hospitality Management is located at the flagship university in the state of Mississippi, the Hospitality Management Program embraces the rich, diverse, and exciting southern hospitality culture. This culture includes a friendly faculty and professional staff with an open-door policy conducive to assisting and interacting with students and community members, serving southern infused food in Lenoir Dining, and exemplary community service.