Campbell has plans for college's hospitality program
By TILLMAN ELLIS, Staff WriterHospitality is a growing industry in the world. With so many venues where hospitality is involved, it's easy to see why the field is now a growing major at many colleges across the nation.
Davis & Elkins College is no exception. Melanie Campbell was recently promoted to assistant professor in the hospitality department after working as the executive chef of Graceland for several years.
"I think right now there is a great need for trained and educated students," Campbell said of the field. "I say both because not only do they want you to have an educational component but work experience as well. Overall the industry is growing stronger and stronger."
More specifically, she said Elkins is receiving an increase in the hospitality industry.
"The industry as a whole, I think in this area, has seen significant increases in the hospitality business," Campbell said. Elkins, West Virginia, has the train and the American Mountain Theater (and) we sit nestled in between three major resorts."
As for what West Virginia has to offer to the hospitality industry, Campbell sees an outstanding product that appeals to all age groups.
Campbell said she has been involved in hospitality and tourism in West Virginia for about 20 years.
"I see it has been a great opportunity for a lot of West Virginians that a lot of people don't consider, but we have a product here in West Virginia that is just outstanding," she said. "We have the mountains, the cool summer breezes and the rivers for whitewater rafting. We have a product that appeals to all age groups, from the young to the very old.
"If you have high energy, we have intense sports, but we also have leisurely river tours. We have world class attractions. You see someone jump off the New River Gorge Bridge on Bridge Day; you just can't do that anywhere else. It's insane, but at the same time it's very exciting," she said.
"We have a variety of lodging, from camping to high-class resorts. The dining itself ranges from fast food to unique pockets of mom- and dad-style dining to fine cuisine."
With the economy affecting most individual's financial means, it would seem to stall the growth of the hospitality industry.
However, while many cut back in response to high costs, take fewer vacations, choose other dining options, according to Campbell, though the "economy has had ups and downs, you still see that people value their time away from work, maybe more so (now), and people budget their money for that."
The hospitality field provides a broad expanse of career opportunities.
According to Campbell, these positions range from management, food services, hotels/motels, retail, casinos and cruise ships.
"There is a lot of growth in the industry and all is related, or the majority of it, to serving people," she said.
With any industry that has progressed, something has been improved to spur the growth. According to Campbell, that improvement for the hospitality industry is communication.
"Our world is becoming more open to the outside world thanks to technology. We can communicate easily with outside potential guests and bring them into the state," she said.
As communication improves, even a secluded place like West Virginia can attract more tourists than ever. "I think that is our No. 1 improvement ... our marketing options are out there," she said.
In her new position at D&E, Campbell said her biggest concern is attracting majors to the school. With the largest freshman class ever to attend the college coming this the fall, she has that opportunity.
"Right now we should have 10 more students at the end of this month bring us up to almost double what we have currently, making the total number of majors 20 or 21. I'd like to see 25 by fall," Campbell said. "To attract them, we are working directly with them and I'm giving them my full attention."
Out of past hospitality graduates, Campbell mentioned a few who have gone on to notable jobs. One student, she said, went to work at Timberline, one works at the Hampton Inn in Elkins and another at a Hyatt in Maryland.
"There is realistic potential for students to stay in West Virginia and continue their career here," she said. "But if they want to, they get a good base here so they can go elsewhere in hospitality." By TILLMAN ELLIS
Staff Writer
Hospitality is a growing industry in the world. With so many venues where hospitality is involved, it's easy to see why the field is now a growing major at many colleges across the nation.
Davis & Elkins College is no exception. Melanie Campbell was recently promoted to assistant professor in the hospitality department after working as the executive chef of Graceland for several years.
"I think right now there is a great need for trained and educated students," Campbell said of the field. "I say both because not only do they want you to have an educational component but work experience as well. Overall the industry is growing stronger and stronger."
More specifically, she said Elkins is receiving an increase in the hospitality industry.
"The industry as a whole, I think in this area, has seen significant increases in the hospitality business," Campbell said. Elkins, West Virginia, has the train and the American Mountain Theater (and) we sit nestled in between three major resorts."
As for what West Virginia has to offer to the hospitality industry, Campbell sees an outstanding product that appeals to all age groups.
Campbell said she has been involved in hospitality and tourism in West Virginia for about 20 years.
"I see it has been a great opportunity for a lot of West Virginians that a lot of people don't consider, but we have a product here in West Virginia that is just outstanding," she said. "We have the mountains, the cool summer breezes and the rivers for whitewater rafting. We have a product that appeals to all age groups, from the young to the very old.
"If you have high energy, we have intense sports, but we also have leisurely river tours. We have world class attractions. You see someone jump off the New River Gorge Bridge on Bridge Day; you just can't do that anywhere else. It's insane, but at the same time it's very exciting," she said.
"We have a variety of lodging, from camping to high-class resorts. The dining itself ranges from fast food to unique pockets of mom- and dad-style dining to fine cuisine."
With the economy affecting most individual's financial means, it would seem to stall the growth of the hospitality industry.
However, while many cut back in response to high costs, take fewer vacations, choose other dining options, according to Campbell, though the "economy has had ups and downs, you still see that people value their time away from work, maybe more so (now), and people budget their money for that."
The hospitality field provides a broad expanse of career opportunities.
According to Campbell, these positions range from management, food services, hotels/motels, retail, casinos and cruise ships.
"There is a lot of growth in the industry and all is related, or the majority of it, to serving people," she said.
With any industry that has progressed, something has been improved to spur the growth. According to Campbell, that improvement for the hospitality industry is communication.
"Our world is becoming more open to the outside world thanks to technology. We can communicate easily with outside potential guests and bring them into the state," she said.
As communication improves, even a secluded place like West Virginia can attract more tourists than ever. "I think that is our No. 1 improvement ... our marketing options are out there," she said.
In her new position at D&E, Campbell said her biggest concern is attracting majors to the school. With the largest freshman class ever to attend the college coming this the fall, she has that opportunity.
"Right now we should have 10 more students at the end of this month bring us up to almost double what we have currently, making the total number of majors 20 or 21. I'd like to see 25 by fall," Campbell said. "To attract them, we are working directly with them and I'm giving them my full attention."
Out of past hospitality graduates, Campbell mentioned a few who have gone on to notable jobs. One student, she said, went to work at Timberline, one works at the Hampton Inn in Elkins and another at a Hyatt in Maryland.
"There is realistic potential for students to stay in West Virginia and continue their career here," she said. "But if they want to, they get a good base here so they can go elsewhere in hospitality."
