Texas A&M University has obtained approval from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to establish a new Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism, a revamped version of the previous Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Sciences.
The newly minted department is set to provide three undergraduate degree tracks, specifically in hospitality, hotel management and tourism. Currently, the department provides certificates in professional event management, recreation and park management, hospitality management and tourism management, along with Master's and Doctoral degrees in the same areas.
The changes were designed to cater to the shifting demands of the hospitality and resort industry on a local, national and international scale, according to Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks. The objective is to equip future leaders in the hospitality, hotel management and tourism.
Leading the Department's Transformation
The department's helm will be taken by Brian King, who has been with the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences since January 2022. King has a blend of academic and industry experience from his diverse roles in hospitality, human resource development and marketing to international agencies, offering him a well-rounded understanding of destination management and tourism.
“We knew we could achieve a lot by bringing together faculty resources to help mobilize the visitor economy in Texas, attracting global interest and recognition,” said King. “This transition for the department solidifies the approach and opens more doors for our faculty and students to benefit the hospitality industry locally, statewide and nationally.”
The department is planning to expand on its nearly 60 years of globally recognized expertise in resource management and tourism sciences. The plan includes accommodating changing demographics and the increasingly global population of Texas to leverage the booming industry. This renewed emphasis will enable faculty and students to utilize their skills to positively impact the industry at various levels.
The new department will officially launch on Aug. 15. This fall, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is also set to welcome its largest incoming freshman class, who will have the opportunity to join the Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism program.
The department will have its hub in the Aplin Center, which will act as an experiential learning lab for students involved in hospitality, retail studies and food product development programs. Groundbreaking for the Aplin Center is scheduled for fall 2023.