New major, unique in state, coming to OSU-Cascades

Oregon students who want to major in hotel management have to leave the state to do so. That is, until now.

“Once they leave, we lose them,” OSU-Cascades instructor Todd Montgomery said Monday.

The major came to be after local industry members went to OSU-Cascades with a need. They wanted students with a business background and the qualities it takes to be in the business of hospitality.

“We want people who know Oregon,” Montgomery said.

Industry leaders provided the seed capital to get the ball rolling — hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“It’s a big big selling factor for us in the business, saying you can work and also go to college,” said Sunriver Resort Managing Director Tom O’Shea.

OSU-Cascades has been marketing the major for a few weeks now. Already, there is interest.

“I’m a junior right now, and depending on when the major gets started and if I need to make up credits, I will probably do that,”said OSU-Cascades student Caitlin Doshier.

Students can enroll for the degree in the fall. The curriculum will focus on technology. The major is only offered on the Bend campus.

“That’s going to help me with my career then, definitely,” Doshier said.

Local and statewide tourism officials say it will help the state to have Central Oregon-educated hospitality leaders.

“Having managers that actually live and work and play here is a great advantage for the industry,” O’Shea said.

Doshier said, “If I was to define it, it’s creating experiences for people to make an impression on them to last for a lifetime.”

OSU-Cascades says Bend is the perfect “laboratory” for students to learn these skills.