Students studying in the Tourism and Hospitality Management program at Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) will soon have a second location to study, as courses in the program will be offered in-person at the College’s Pottstown campus starting this fall.

“We are looking forward to bringing Tourism & Hospitality Management courses to our Pottstown campus,” said Hospitality Management Assistant Professor Shawn Murray. “Before the pandemic, the Tourism and Hospitality Management program was offered face to face strictly at Blue Bell. Now we’re offering these academic options face to face at our Pottstown campus, which will provide greater access for students and better support the hospitality and tourism industry with its reemergence throughout Montgomery County.”

Tourism and Hospitality Management students learn the ins-and-outs of the tourism industry.

“What’s unique about the program is it’s designed for students to launch their career or transfer to four-year institution locally, regionally or nationally,” said Murray, adding a key feature of the program is the internship experience. “We have amazing partnerships with hotels like the Copper Door Bed and Breakfast Hotel in Miami. We send students to Yellowstone National Park every year. These are amazing opportunities that fit the goals our students are striving to accomplish.”

“Students have the opportunity to travel and work nationally practicing what they are exploring in the classroom or stay closer to home and have amazing hands-on learning experiences, with local firms such as the Fitler Club Philadelphia or Normandy Farm Hotel & Conference Center.”

For students looking to transfer seamlessly to a four-year institution after graduation, MCCC has three unique partnerships with institutions including Gwynedd Mercy University, Florida International University and Temple University.

Students that graduate from MCCC Tourism and Hospitality Management program can transfer to Gwynedd Mercy University and earn a bachelor’s degree in business.

 “It’s a nice value proposition for students,” said Murray.

At Florida International University, MCCC students can transfer to its Miami campus to finish their studies or complete their courses entirely online.

“This option provides flexibility for students to launch their career or continue their education,” said Murray.

At Temple, MCCC students can transfer directly into the school’s Tourism and Hospitality Management program and earn their bachelor’s degree, taking the stress out of the transfer process.

“Montco has agreements with these three partner institutions so students can seamlessly transfer to continue their education,” said Murray.

Lastly, the upcoming year will be an exciting time for the tourism and hospitality industry as the pandemic slowly comes to an end, and more people begin to start traveling both at home and abroad, Murray said.

“There will be amazing opportunities for students looking to start this academic program. The cool thing about the tourism industry is it provides a lot of diversity and differentiation of career options. Students can focus on multiple concentrations such as hotel management or operations, or focus career interests on sales and marketing, human resources, supply chain management or sustainability.”

Students acquire several skills from the Tourism and Hospitality Management program. The program heavily focuses on innovation, problem solving, social and emotional intelligence, critical thinking skills, diversity, inclusion and inclusivity. These skills can help students land rewarding careers into a wide range of industries.

“Tourism and Hospitality Management students focus their training on understanding leadership, consumer behavior and executing excellent customer service,” said Murray. “All organizations are looking to improve that part of their business.”

As plans continue to be finalized about the new program at Pottstown campus, Murray said he was eager to welcome students this fall.

“We’re excited to get started,” he said.

For more information about the Tourism and Hospitality Management program and its newest home at the Pottstown campus, email Shawn Murray at smurray@mc3.edu.