NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s HMT program has earned accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration and is the only four-year program in Louisiana accredited by the ACPHA. Accreditation acknowledges the program’s high academic and professional standards and affirms its standing among elite hospitality programs nationwide.
NSU’s Hospitality Management and Tourism program has equipped graduates with skills in leadership, management, communication and service since 1994. One of the most versatile degrees available, graduates have gone on to success in marketing, travel and tourism, culinary arts, event and project management, entertainment and other fields that require teamwork, creativity and organizational skills.
“The hospitality industry is incredibly broad and includes many different sectors such as lodging, food and beverage services, culinary arts, event planning, travel and tourism operations, restaurants, theme parks, recreation and entertainment,” said Dr. Valerie Salter, program coordinator. “Graduates of the program are equipped with many skills and abilities in hospitality and tourism operations including guest service, leadership principles, revenue management, marketing, hospitality law, facility maintenance, professional communication, human resources and evaluative exposure to industry during their field experience.”
Individuals who excel in HMT typically have a combination of interpersonal, analytical and practical skills along with adaptability and flexibility, teamwork, attentiveness, cultural awareness, creativity, passion for service and resilience. Salter said that the interdisciplinary studies offered at NSU between HMT and areas such as business, music and communications easily complement each other to enhance hospitality management skills in impactful ways.
“Business studies may help students hone strategic thinking and decision-making skills as well as entrepreneurship and innovation. The arts and music can enhance guest experiences in hospitality venues such as hotels, restaurants and events, which is especially important in the event management sector of hospitality,” she said.
“Communication skills can foster effective interactions with guests, staff and stakeholders. Communication studies provide hospitality students with strengthened abilities in public speaking, writing, crisis management and media relations. Additional studies like history and social sciences may help students prepare for careers in tourism, museums and other roles in hospitality management.”
NSU’s HMT bachelor’s degree program was introduced during an academic reorganization when the Department of Home Economics was rebranded as Family and Consumer Sciences and HMT addressed a critical industry need. HMT was later placed in the College of Science and Technology and in 1998 achieved full accreditation from the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) Council, which it maintained until 2018.
In 2016, the HMT program transitioned to the College of Business and Technology where it has maintained its unique identity and has continued to uphold the traditions of Southern hospitality as evidenced by the program’s recent accreditation with ACPHA.
“It is important to note that during ACPHA trainings in 2023, we were told that initial accreditation statuses were given for one to three years, rarely three. Our HMT team has achieved a five-year initial accreditation status,” Salter said.
Salter began working in hospitality as a teenager in Florida. She worked in varying roles in food and beverage operations for 15 years and began teaching in 2009. She joined NSU’s faculty in 2012 as an adjunct instructor of culinary arts. In 2013, she became full-time faculty, earned a second master’s degree in hospitality administration from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and a Ph.D. in hospitality management from Iowa State University in 2023.
“During my time as a faculty member, I have had the opportunity to teach various courses in both culinary arts and hospitality management, lead our International Study Tour course and work with my colleagues to introduce many experiential learning opportunities such as volunteering at the Academy of Country Music Awards, Caveman Music Festival and our in-house dining experiences, Columns Cafe and Chef’s Table,” she said.
Salter said NSU’s HMS program provides the foundation and the network for graduates to be successful in whichever hospitality sector they choose. With focus on international hospitality practices and trends, students are prepared to make a global impact in hospitality.
“Student gain practical experience through internships, industry partnerships and on-campus events while building their resumes. The extensive curriculum provides a variety of skills, theoretical and hands-on learning and students earn from industry professionals and seasoned educators who genuinely care about their success,” she said.
Information on NSU’s Hospitality Management and Tourism program is available at https://www.nsula.edu/hmt/.
