Virginia Union University, the historically Black educational institution in Richmond, has announced two new degree programs.
The university will offer a bachelor’s degree program in hospitality management beginning in January 2021. The degree program will be offered 100 percent online through the Sydney Lewis School of Business at the university. The hospitality management major is a multidisciplinary field of study encompassing human resources, marketing, sales, and finance. Students will learn fundamental hospitality practices and principles. The program will include two internship assignments.
“We are excited about the new hospitality management degree program that will serve a more global and diverse student population through state-of-art online learning,” said Terrell Strayhorn, provost and senior vice president. “Building upon the strong reputation of our accredited business school, our students will be prepared to not only manage first-class hospitality operations but also birth their own entrepreneurial ventures.”
The university will also offer a bachelor’s degree program in health science beginning in January 2021. The degree program will be offered through the department of natural sciences in the College of Arts and Sciences. The health science program will feature new courses like “Health Issues in the African American Community” and a senior internship/capstone experience. The university hopes the new major will boost the recruitment of students with health-related career interests especially those who aspire to be physical therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, lab technicians, medical technologists, sports medicine, and other health-related fields of study.
“This program is an important step towards addressing health disparities in the medical profession and in educating health professionals who focus on our underserved communities,” said Hakim J. Lucas, president of Virginia Union University. “The health science program will allow VUU to help train future physicians and health professionals who identify with the ailments that affect communities of color.”
I am curious in knowing if VUU Sydney Lewis School of Business already have confirmed paid internships and other employment opportunities with any of the major and minor hotels/motels and restaurants in the Richmond metropolitan area for students in this newly created program? If not, you’re starting out behind the curve on numerous levels.