College offers four-course series to prepare industry professionals for workforce

QUEENSBURY, New York (April 30, 2024) — To further meet the needs of the region’s booming tourism industry, SUNY Adirondack will offer a Hotel, Resort and Hospitality Associate microcredential.

Beginning in the fall semester, the college will offer a series of four courses that prepare students for employment in the thriving regional market. The microcredential — completion of a series of courses that indicates expertise in the area of study — comprises four courses and industry certification through Hootsuite social media management system, a Pathways Up for Success in Hospitality (PUSH) badge through Warren County, and state NARCAN emergency use and Human Trafficking Awareness and Training.

The Hotel, Resort and Hospitality Associate microcredential includes Principles of Marketing, Principles of Hospitality & Tourism, Hotel/Resort Management, and Social Media, Marketing & Advertising.

“The hospitality industry is always growing and is the No. 1 industry in our region of New York state,” said Kelli Hatin, distinguished professor of Business at SUNY Adirondack. “This microcredential will convert into a career for students who want to be in the industry.”

According to the New York State Department of Labor, long-term projections for Capital Region employment in hospitality and tourism are high, with a 57.2 percent increase in tour and travel guides, 90.2 percent increase in entertainment-related workers, 20.4 percent increase in travel agents, 53.9 percent increase in meeting, convention and event planners through 2030.

The series of courses is “stackable” — or counts as credits — toward completion of the Hospitality Management; Management, Marketing and Entrepreneurship; and Liberal Arts and Sciences: Individual Studies degree and Hospitality certificate programs at SUNY Adirondack, but also stand alone as indication to prospective employers a candidate has professional-level skills.

“These courses offer students multiple pathways in this exciting, fast-paced service industry,” Hatin said. “There is a multitude of positions available with room to grow.”

To learn more about SUNY Adirondack’s Hotel, Resort and Hospitality Associate microcredential, please visit https://www.sunyacc.edu/academics/microcredentials, or contact College Access at admission@sunyacc.edu or 518-743-2264.