Virginia State University’s Hospitality Management Department is offering a summer bridge program for high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing a career in the hospitality management industry, including hotel and restaurant management, travel agencies, cruise lines, event planning, casinos and other careers. Sponsored by Hyatt Hotels Corp., a leading global hospitality company based in Chicago, the program will be held on the VSU campus June 20-22.

Student participants will be exposed to tools of marketing, accounting and finance, human resources and investment strategies through trips to Kings Dominion, the Richmond Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, a local hostel and Hyatt hotel, bed and breakfasts and boutique hotels.

At each of these locations, students will have a chance to meet with industry mentors, participate in lectures, and review case studies while learning the operating procedures necessary to sustain each business model.

The supervised two-night stay in one of VSU’s dormitories makes the program accessible to students from distances beyond a typical daily commute and gives high school students a peek into what college life is like.

“The hospitality management industry is the largest and fastest growing industry in the world,” said Dr. Berkita Bradford, interim chair, VSU Hospitality Management Department. “Industry experts say that by 2022, it is anticipated that the hospitality industry will account for one in every ten jobs on the planet.”

The high school summer bridge program is designed to introduce students to this exciting industry, said Bradford, and to let them see if a four-year degree in hospitality management, like the one VSU offers, would be a good fit for them.

Space in the summer bridge program is limited to 15 Virginia high school juniors or seniors.

The registration deadline is May 30.

Registrations must include a letter of recommendation and a one-page essay. Qualified applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. An on campus or phone interview may be required in order to be selected for program participation. A $45 program fee due on or before the first day of registration, June 20, is required.

To register, visit www.agriculture.vsu.edu, click on summer high school programs, and click on the application for the hospitality summer bridge program.

For more information, contact Ruby Tompson at (804) 524-6753 or email  rtompson@vsu.edu.