For the Rapids City Times 

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Mid-State Technical College is launching a new Hospitality Management program this fall and local tourism and hospitality employers are looking forward to the first batch of graduates in 2020. Although the program exposes students to all aspects of the hospitality industry, growing tourism economy in central Wisconsin is a particular focus of the preparation.

“We couldn’t be happier that Mid-State has recognized a significant need for a quality Hospitality Management Program in central Wisconsin,” said Mike James, general manager at SentryWorld. “Many of the management positions at SentryWorld require a degree in those respective fields. Graduates with culinary degrees or hospitality management degrees are highly sought after and have the opportunity to grow within our organization.”

Glen Murray, general manager of Sand Valley, notes that hospitality and tourism represent a growing sector for central Wisconsin. “The opportunities for our communities to support responsible and sustainable tourism are at the forefront of many important discussions in the region,” he said.

Mid-State has hired new full-time instructor Paul Kennedy to teach in the program. Kennedy has 23 years of experience in the industry and 13 years of previous teaching experience in hospitality, according to Missy Skurzewski-Servant, dean of Business & Technology at the College. “We’re also excited to be able to include opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning through at least two internships with business partners in the district as a part of the program pathway,” she said.

For more information, visit mstc.edu/programs or contact Missy Skurzewski-Servant at 715-422-5356 or missy.skurzewskiservant@mstc.edu.