UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management hosted about 200 high school students on its campus last week to introduce them to careers in hospitality.
The college teamed up with the Central Florida National Academy Foundation to host the second-annual High School Conference and Tradeshow for students from five high schools in Orange, Seminole and Brevard counties. Each of the schools selected has academies geared toward hospitality and tourism.
The event took place from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Rosen College campus near International Drive on Friday, Nov. 13.
Its theme was “Crusin’ Through Hospitality,” where the high school students visited different “ports of call” that featured guest speakers, a tradeshow, a tour of the Rosen College and a box lunch. Representatives from SeaWorld, Nickelodeon Hotels, Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World spoke about the industry and answered students’ questions.
Students from Colonial, Oak Ridge, Freedom, Mid-Florida Tech and Merritt Island high schools were invited to attend. Rosen College Event Management students organized the event.
Located in the heart of the tourism and hospitality industry, the Rosen College of Hospitality Management is dedicated to the values of professionalism, leadership and service. The mission of the Rosen College of Hospitality Management is to develop future generations of global hospitality and tourism leaders representing all industry segments in the hospitality capital of the world, through innovative academic programs, cutting -edge research and strong industry and community partnerships.
The National Academy Foundation (NAF) is an acclaimed national network of high school career academies predominately based in urban districts-schools within schools-with rigorous, career-themed curricula created with current industry and educational expertise. Each year, NAF serves more than 50,000 students in 40 states and the District of Columbia through the Academy of Finance, the Academy of Engineering, the Academy of Hospitality & Tourism, and the Academy of Information Technology.