Posted: April 17, 2018

TMCC to launch hospitality program this fall

Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno will debut a hospitality and tourism program this fall, a two-year curriculum culminating in an Associate of Arts degree. The Associate of Arts, Hospitality and Tourism Management Emphasis program is the first of its kind in northern Nevada, according to Vanina Coudriet, program coordinator.

While the program is new, the travel industry long has been a significant part of Nevada’s economy; it is 13 percent of the state’s gross domestic product, according to Travel Nevada data. Across the United States, only about 3 percent of the GDP is attributable to the travel industry.

“We are so pleased that TMCC developed this program, which will help prepare the next generation of tourism professionals for an industry that is so important to our state’s economy,” said David Peterson, interim director for the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, which includes the Division of Tourism (Travel Nevada).

Travel Nevada has a seat on the program’s advisory board, along with many other tourism-related entities in northern Nevada.

The 60-credit program is designed to prepare students with the skills necessary to enter any segment of the travel industry upon graduation. TMCC has partnered with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Sierra Nevada College to create a pathway for students who want to continue to earn bachelor’s degrees in hospitality and tourism.

For more about the program, see the story “New Hospitality Degree Premiers” on the TMCC website, or see the program description.

Tourism partners interested in working with the program should contact Vanina Coudriet at [email protected] or 775-857-8591. She is looking for assistance in promoting the program, partnership opportunities and curriculum review. Partners interested in volunteering as guest speakers or hosting career events and special class projects should also contact Vanina.