(photos: Jackson College culinary students, courtesy: Jackson College)
Students may begin enrolling this fall in Jackson College’s second bachelor’s degree program, a Bachelor of Applied Science in Culinary Management and Hospitality, following recent authorization by the Higher Learning Commission.
The College has offered associate degree and certificate options in culinary arts and hospitality for several years, along with several shorter-term credentials that can be building blocks toward a career. The bachelor’s degree will be a four-year program building on a foundation of culinary arts and hospitality and adding business and management courses to prepare students for full-service careers.
“We are excited about the addition of our second baccalaureate program as we continuously seek to meet the current and emerging needs of our students and employers,” said Dr. Daniel J. Phelan, Jackson College president. “This new baccalaureate degree offers yet another step in Jackson College’s innovative focus on high-demand programs.”
Today, people are dining out more than ever. In 2015, sales at restaurants overtook spending at grocery stories, according to Commerce Department data. With this increased demand, the need for skilled food service and hospitality workers increases.
“Careers in culinary arts are up,” said Chef David Hooper, culinary arts instructor. A passion for the art of cooking is a critical ingredient to the career, but good management and interpersonal skills are also necessary. “You are given the opportunity to be creative, to hone your managerial skills, people skills, and organizational skills, while at the same time, doing what probably most people wish they could do, play with food,” Hooper said.
All of these skills are put to use in the workplace, where culinary arts professionals may:
· prepare food,
· supervise and coordinate the activities of food service workers or dining room employees,
· plan menus,
· estimate daily or weekly needs,
· order and maintain inventories of supplies and equipment, and
· keep records of meals served.
Jackson College students may also earn chef certification through the American Culinary Federation (ACF) as well as the NRAEF ManageFirst and the ServSafe National Certification. To learn more about culinary arts and hospitality, stop by any college location.
In 2012, Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill allowing community colleges in Michigan to offer bachelor’s degrees in four applied and technical programs. These career-based baccalaureate programs are designed to offer more opportunities for students who are time- and place-bound and have fewer resources. Jackson College gained approval to offer its first bachelor’s degree program in 2014, the Bachelor of Science in Energy Systems Management.
“We remain hopeful that the Michigan Legislature will provide community colleges with additional baccalaureate degrees in applied areas, such as nursing, to better serve our community,” Phelan said.
