History | Hospitality Management | California State University

Succeeding Program Graduates

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November 2004	The California State University published a statewide impact report that identified hospitality as one of four significant industries related to job growth in California. Others included agriculture, engineering and entertainment. This study spurred discussion on how the CSU can support these industries.
June 2005	The CSU convened the Partnership with Hospitality and Tourism Forum at Cal Poly Pomona on June 2, 2005. The forum focused on key issues facing the hospitality and tourism industries and the CSU's partnership role in preparing the future workforce. Participants included Chancellor Reed and industry leaders.
November 2005	The CSU convened the 2005 Hospitality Summit in Los Angeles to present results of an internal study of hospitality management programs at a number of CSU campuses.
December 2007	Cal Poly Pomona President J. Michael Ortiz, appointed Dr. Andy Feinstein to the post of Dean and James A. Collins Distinguished Chair of The Collins College of Hospitality Management.
May 2008	Dean Feinstein presented a follow-up report on the state of hospitality management education in the CSU to President Ortiz. Based on the findings of the Hospitality Summit and subsequent research, this report called for the new Hospitality Management Education Initiative (HMEI).
June 2008	Chancellor Reed appointed Dean Feinstein to the post of CSU Director of Hospitality Management Education.
May 29, 2009	The inaugural meeting of the CSU Hospitality Industry Advisory Board was held in Long Beach, California. The meeting was followed by a joint networking lunch with the advisors and the universities’ program leaders. That same afternoon, the inaugural meeting of the CSU Hospitality Management Program Leaders Committee was held to discuss opportunities for increasing collaboration and synergies between CSU programs, the industry and California community colleges.
October 2009	HMEI launched the “Adopt-a-Campus” program in order to familiarize advisory board members with campus programs via site visits and guest lecturing.
May 2010	A total of 134 new articulation agreements for hospitality coursework were added during the 2009/2010 academic year. These agreements allow students to receive automatic transfer credit for lower-division courses completed at a community college. The 2010 CSU economic impact report was released. This report again highlighted the important role that the hospitality industry plays in the California economy.
June 2010	The second annual board meeting on June 1 provided advisors insights on retention strategies in support of the CSU’s Graduation Initiative.
November 2010	HMEI launched “Take a Student to Work Day” in which students shadow advisory board members for a day. Its goal is to expose students to the various careers in the hospitality industry as well as form connections between students and industry leaders.
January 2011	HMEI hosted the CSU African American Initiative’s Southern California Board’s meeting for their annual Super Sunday outreach event.
April 2011	The annual HMEI board meeting took place in Sacramento, followed by reception for legislators.
April 2012	During the fourth annual board meeting, held at Cal Poly Pomona, advisors and academic program leaders collaborated to develop strategies in the following areas: branding & advocacy, student outreach, data & research, and outreach & partnerships.
May 2012	HMEI board members participated in the Joint Higher Education Advocacy Day in Sacramento to reiterate the need for hospitality management education in California.