VIU responds to industry demand with new Hospitality Management degree

Six years after graduating from Vancouver Island University's (VIU's) two-year Hospitality Management diploma program, Melissa Townsend landed a great job as General Manager at the Best Western Hotel Northgate Inn in Nanaimo.

Now, thanks to the support of her employer, Townsend is back in the classroom two days a week completing her degree.

Townsend is one of a number of working professionals who are returning to school to further their education. She jumped at the chance to enroll in VIU's new Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree program, launched in September.

“The flexibility of the part-time degree program allows me to remain at my current job, and continue my education at the same time,” she said. “I wanted to stay in the industry, meet my financial and personal goals, and work towards my educational goals.”

Townsend completed the diploma program in 2001, and was hired immediately with the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria as a Front Desk Agent. Through a series of promotions, she rose quickly through the ranks to Senior Front Desk Agent, Assistant Front Desk Manager and finally to Guest Services Manager. She accepted the General Manager position at the Best Western Northgate Inn just over a year ago.

“I have no doubt that my education from VIU was a huge factor in achieving my career success,” she said. “Now I feel that in order to move forward in my career, I need to further my education once again. The decision to come back to VIU to finish my degree was an easy one. The more education you receive, the better, and the farther you are able to go forward in your field. A lot of positions now require a minimum of a degree. Since I have started my degree, I’m amazed how much I’ve learned.”

Demand for skilled hospitality professionals is the catalyst behind VIU's new Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree program, according to Stephen Burr, chair of the program.

“The unique design of the degree program meets the changing role of resort and hotel managers on the Vancouver Island and in the global marketplace," said Burr. “People are traveling more and more often.  Demands on the hospitality industry are changing, and we need to address those demands.” 

Thomas Mayrhofer, General Manager of Nanaimo’s Coast Hotel, echoes those thoughts.  “VIU’s commitment to this degree and to hospitality education in general shows how the industry is gaining credibility as a career.”

Students in the new degree program study a variety of concepts including strategic revenue management, entrepreneurship, conference and event management, and advanced resort management.  The degree combines study and paid experience through three co-operative education work placements throughout the four-year program.  For people already working within the industry, the flexibility of the new degree program allows students to enter directly into year three on a full-time or part-time basis.

Shannon Challanan, another student in the degree program, said small class sizes at VIU are appealing.

“It allows more intellectual conversations with classmates,” said Challanan, who also completed the diploma program last year. “Teachers cover certain topics in more detail then if there were 50-plus people in class.”

For more information about VIU’s Bachelor of Hospitality Management degree program, visit the website at www.viu.ca, or contact Stephen Burr at 250-740-6158.  November 15 is the first day to submit applications for University and Career/Technical Programs beginning September 2009.