Herschend to Fund Host Tuition for BGSU Resort and Attraction Management Program
07 Mayo 2024 - 7:00AM
Business Wire
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and Herschend, the world’s
largest family-owned themed attractions company, are proud to
announce a new relationship that will further support workforce
needs in the growing resort and attraction industry. Beginning this
summer, Herschend’s 7,000+ eligible employees (hosts) at
destination brands like Dollywood Parks & Resorts®, Silver
Dollar City® Company and the World-Famous Harlem Globetrotters®
will have access to fully-funded and partially-funded tracks for
BGSU’s one-of-a-kind Resort and Attraction Management (RAAM) degree
program.
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The industry-regarded BGSU RAAM degree program is asynchronous
and entirely online, meaning learners can participate from anywhere
and go at their own pace on their own schedule. This format is
ideal for Herschend hosts looking to continue working while
completing their degree. Hosts can apply and register for RAAM
through Herschend GROW U., an internal company program that
provides fully funded and partially funded tuition programs and
supplies to hosts at every level of the business, starting day one
of employment.
“Working with BGSU and our partners at Guild to bring this
prestigious degree program and university into our GROW U.
education catalog is a major milestone for our company and an
exceptional opportunity for our hosts,” said Debbie McKinley,
Herschend’s Chief People Officer. “This will help build an even
more diverse workforce across our resort and attractions brands
while supporting our hosts’ career aspirations.”
“Whether it's to pursue a new dream or advance their career with
us, we care about hosts' personal and professional growth because
we believe that their futures should be grown with love, not
loans," said Herschend’s Chief Executive Officer Andrew Wexler.
"Their success is our success – and that's why we're thrilled to
make this benefit available to all, regardless of their role in the
company and without the burden of debt."
This year, Herschend GROW U. is celebrating its second
anniversary. Since the program’s launch in 2022, nearly 500 of
7,000+ eligible hosts have enrolled in or completed programs.
Students in BGSU Online programs earn a quality, comprehensive
education in a flexible, affordable format taught by the same
world-class faculty in the University's in-person programs. BGSU
online bachelor's degrees, including RAAM, are ranked among the top
20% in the country.
“The online BGSU RAAM program is a flexible and affordable
option for working industry professionals looking to advance their
careers,” said Dr. Swathi Ravichandran, professor and founding
director of the program. “As the resort and attraction industry
continues to grow, we are proud to offer our innovative and
relevant degree that bolsters careers and supports workforce needs
at companies like Herschend.”
The BGSU RAAM program empowers students to be leaders in the
resort and attraction industry through innovative coursework and
experiential, hands-on learning. Herschend hosts pursuing the RAAM
degree can use their current work experience to fulfill the
program's two required co-op experiences.
Upon graduation, BGSU RAAM alumni are prepared for gainful
employment in industry-leading careers like park operations,
hospitality, entertainment, human resources, finance and more.
Those interested in learning more about the BGSU RAAM program
through Herschend GROW U., including application requirements, can
visit BGSU.edu/herschend-grow-u. Those interested in career
opportunities with Herschend can learn more at
https://www.hfecorp.com/about-us/work-with-us/.
About Herschend
Herschend has been Bringing Families Closer Together by Creating
Memories Worth Repeating® for seven generations. It is the world’s
largest family-owned themed attractions company, with 12,000+
passionate hosts collectively entertaining 15 million families
every year.
Herschend’s portfolio of more than two dozen wholesome family
entertainment brands across North America includes iconic
award-winning destinations such as Dollywood® Parks & Resorts,
Silver Dollar City® Company, Adventure Aquarium®, Callaway Resort
& Gardens®, Kentucky Kingdom®, Newport Aquarium®, The Vancouver
Aquarium® and Wild Adventures®. In addition to its premier themed
attractions, Herschend is proud to steward the World-Famous Harlem
Globetrotters® legacy and provide immersive content and experiences
through our Herschend Entertainment Studios® and Pink Adventure
Tours® brands.
Learn more at www.herschendenterprises.com.
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Jamie Frumusa, APR pressinquiries@hfecorp.com