COD offers new Resort Management Certificate

The new Resort Management certificate at College of DuPage will prepare students to be first-level supervisors in resorts or boutique hotels.

Recently approved by the Illinois Community College Board, the 26 credit-hour certificate will help students learn about the unique facets of working in a resort or boutique hotel. Study will focus on the wellness and leisure components of the hospitality industry as well as managing this type of facility. Nutrition, sports and recreation also are included.

Mary Beth Leone, associate professor of Hospitality Management, said the certificate is a strong addition to the Hospitality Management program because of the many resort and boutique hotels located in the Chicago area.

“The certificate requires five cooperative education and internship credit hours, which means students will be gaining experience at premiere local establishments while building contacts within the industry,” she said.

Two new courses have been developed for the certificate: “Intro to Resort Management” and “Spa and Recreation Management.”

“In the ‘Intro' class, we cover everything from historical perspectives to land and sustainability requirements,” Leone said. “We offered the ‘Intro' class for the first time this fall, and it filled up pretty quickly. The ‘Spa and Recreation Class,' which we will offer for the first time this spring, examines wellness, relaxation and entertainment as part of the overall guest experience. We also will study the business relationship between a spa and a hotel.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employees with a college degree in hotel or hospitality management are expected to have better opportunities, particularly at upscale and luxury hotels.

For more information about the Hospitality Management program, email leonem@cod.edu, call (630) 942-2059 or visit the program web site.