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Holmes Community College recently announced the launch of a new Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology program on the Ridgeland Campus. The program, which expands upon the college’s long-standing Culinary Arts Technology program, provides students with an option to pursue careers in the growing hospitality and tourism industry.
The Culinary Arts Technology program remains focused on hands-on lab instruction led by a chef instructor in a commercial kitchen. Students gain practical experience in food preparation while also preparing to earn their ServSafe Manager certification from the National Restaurant Association upon completion of CUT 1213 Sanitation and Safety.
The new Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology program provides specialized career and technical instruction in all phases of hotel and restaurant management. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the hospitality and tourism industry, including positions as general managers and directors of operations. Instruction covers travel and tourism, hotel and lodging facilities, food services, recreation facilities, hospitality marketing, franchise and unit management, business and financial management, hospitality transportation and logistics, and industry policies and regulations.
Instructor Alexei Harrison, who leads the program at Holmes, said the expansion is in direct response to student and industry needs.
“We have listened to our students and industry over the past five years,” Harrison said. “The need for flexible degree options and training to fit the varied career goals of our students pushed us to expand the course offerings of the traditional culinary or hospitality degree. Our students can now customize the learning experience by choosing from the many baking and pastry, advanced culinary or hospitality course electives being offered.”
Harrison emphasized that the Hotel and Restaurant Management degree is designed with career readiness in mind.
“Our Hotel and Restaurant Management degree prepares students for leadership in one of the world’s most dynamic industries,” Harrison said. “With hands-on experience, industry connections and a focus on hospitality, graduates are prepared to build careers in hotels, resorts, restaurants and beyond. The opportunities are endless, both internationally and at home. Once students complete the required coursework, they can earn the nationally recognized Restaurant Management Professional credential from the National Restaurant Association.”
In addition, instructor Lori Morrison is teaching both Culinary Arts and advanced Baking and Pastry courses at Holmes. While the Baking and Pastry degree is not yet an official program, Holmes already offers all of the courses required, giving students another avenue to enhance their skills.
“We are so very proud of how Chef Alexei Harrison has built this program over the past few years,” said Vice President for Career Technical Education Dr. Amy Whittington. “Her knowledge and industry relationships have helped make this program world class. We look forward to seeing how this new program option will support our local industry needs.”
Restaurants are a driving force in Mississippi’s economy, providing jobs and building careers for thousands while playing a vital role in local communities. In 2019, there were 121,900 restaurant and foodservice jobs in Mississippi, accounting for 10 percent of employment in the state. By 2029, that number is projected to grow by 10.2 percent, adding 12,400 jobs for a total of 134,300. Employment opportunities in hospitality are expected to continue increasing nationwide. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of chefs and head cooks to grow 11 percent from 2018 to 2028, faster than the average for all occupations, with most opportunities in food services such as restaurants. Food service managers should see the same increase of 11 percent. In 2024, the BLS estimated that the median salary for food service managers averaged $65310 while lodging managers averaged $68,130. The BLS also notes that an associate degree is the minimum requirement for a variety of entry-level positions in the hospitality field.
For more information about the Hotel and Restaurant Management Technology program, contact Harrison at amharrison@holmescc.edu or (601) 605-3327.
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