Austin Community College is partnering with Stephen F. Austin State University to give students in the high-demand hospitality field a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree.
The two institutions have entered into an agreement that will allow qualified students to complete their coursework in ACC’s hospitality programs and move directly into upper-level coursework in the Hospitality Administration Program at SFA.
“This is great news for our students,” said Michelle Fitzpatrick, chair of ACC’s Hospitality Management Department. “They will know from the outset of their education which courses to take in order to not lose any time when they transfer. There is great demand for hospitality professionals, so it’s important to do everything we can to accelerate students’ completion.”
SFA prepares students for a bachelor of science in hospitality, with areas of focus including restaurant management, lodging, tourism, meeting planning and culinary. The university trains students in state-of-the-art hospitality laboratories, and the program’s alumni and interns are employed around the world.
“The Hospitality Administration Program at Stephen F. Austin State University is excited to be partnering with Austin Community College on this articulation agreement,” said Dr. Chay Runnels, SFA assistant professor and program coordinator.
“We will be offering a new culinary focus in the fall, and this partnership opens the door for more students interested in all aspects of the hospitality industry to become Lumberjacks,” she said. “The culinary, hospitality and tourism program at ACC is known statewide, and we are looking forward to helping students continue their education.”
Pictured, from left, are Mike Midgley, ACC vice president of instruction; Charles Quinn, ACC dean of business studies; Carolyn Hardy, SFA admissions assistant director; Dr. Mary Olle, SFA assistant professor human sciences; Dr. Chay Runnels, SFA assistant professor and coordinator of the Hospitality Administration program; Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC president/CEO; Dr. Baker Pattillo, SFA president; Dr. Lynda Martin, director of the SFA School of Human Sciences; and Dr. Judy Abbott, dean of the James I. Perkins College of Education at SFA. Photo courtesy of Austin Community College
