Johnson & Wales University’s Providence Campus Awards First Course-embedded Experiential Education (CEE) Certificates in Advanced Hospitality Sales

Johnson & Wales University’s Providence Campus Awards First Course-embedded Experiential Education (CEE) Certificates in Advanced Hospitality Sales

On Thursday, February 18, 2016 thirty JWU Providence Students received the first Course-embedded Experiential Education (CEE) Certificates for field experience in their Advanced Hospitality Sales course.

Johnson & Wales University, in support of the University’s core value of experiential and work-integrated learning developed the Experiential Education Attribute (EEA) that signifies a credit-bearing course in which a primary feature of the learning environment is the development and application of academic and professional skills in the context of work experience, service or a project that involves a “real life” community or industry partner.  This learning environment is used to achieve designated learning outcomes within an academic course.  These courses have Course-embedded Experiential Education (CEE). The project or service placement is intentionally designed to enhance student knowledge acquisition and course-related skill development while at the same time meeting an articulated need of the community or industry partner.

Johnson & Wales University’s School of Hospitality developed its Advanced Hospitality Sales Seminar course as a capstone sales course for students who wanted careers in sales or wanted to broaden their experience.  The course was built after extensive surveying of Directors of Sales and Marketing across the United States representing a broad spectrum of hospitality and tourism-based businesses.  The feedback showed that having sales experience, making presentations, and networking were skills needed for entry-level sales professionals.  Since the Advanced Hospitality Sales Seminar course first ran in 2012 students participate in a sales blitz for a local hotel company, complete research to create and deliver a full sales presentation, and participate in a professional networking event.  In the 2015-2016 academic year the Course-embedded Experiential Education (CEE) began.  Associate Professor Debbie Howarth, course author and professor applied for the CEE designation and the course was granted the designation because the sales blitz and networking event met the field and preparation time requirements, as well as the partnerships with industry professionals requirement.

One of the program’s long-time industry partners is the Providence Marriott Downtown. Donna D’Orio, Director of Catering stated on the relationship,

“Being in Sales for over 30 years and responsible for hiring sales associates as well, I know the benefit of this type of exercise for us but most importantly for your students.  You could truly see their enthusiasm today at our pre-meeting and am looking forward to another lucrative and rewarding blitz tomorrow.  If we could top the last 2 years sales numbers – what an exciting accomplishment that would be and something these students could document on their resumes as well.  I know this would be something I would be impressed with during an interview for a potential sales position” (2015). 

While sales positions are not guaranteed from this course past graduates have obtained sales positions from companies such as: Hyatt Hotels, Conrad Hotels & Resorts, Swipely Restaurant Marketing, Hilton Worldwide, CVENT, Walt Disney Company, COTG – A Xerox Company, Basic American Foods, and Branches Catering to name a few.  Feedback from program alumni shows the importance of this field experience.

With your help and course projects, I was able to identify with what they needed and I was offered the position. So, I am the new Sales Administrator Assistant at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore right in front of the Inner Harbor. It's my first hotel experience and thus far I am truly enjoying it. Shaunice Stanley, CA-FSM Class of 2015

That was such a great experience and I put the sales blitz on my resume and everyone that I have spoken to interview wise with this company has asked about it so it really stands out on my resume! Thomas Kurza, Operator Sales Representative, Basic American Foods, CA-FSM Class of 2015

Julienne Chranowski, Manager - Global Accounts, from Helms Briscoe and JWU Adjunct Professor networking with Advanced Hospitality Sales students William Holley, Elizabeth Quinn, and Caroline Gaughan.

Winter 2015-2016 Advanced Hospitality Sales class with industry professionals: Ella Gonzalez, National Accounts - Providence/Warwick Convention & Visitors' Bureau; Dean Paul McVety, PhD. School of Hospitality; Courtney Nardozza and Nora Meah, Talent Business Partners from Swipely Restaurant Marketing and Julienne Chranowski, Manager - Global Accounts from Helms Briscoe. Not pictured: Dr. Karen Silva, EdD. Department Chair, International Hotel School.