HFIM Highlights

Recently, the University of Georgia announced the Delta Foundation's $5 million commitment to the Hospitality and Food Industry Management (HFIM) program. HFIM is the second-fastest growing major at UGA with a 335% growth rate from 2019 to 2025. The generous gift from the Delta Foundation will go towards renovations at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel to devleop an event management lab, a beverage management lab, and finally, a fully-functional teaching kitchen. We are grateful for the support of Delta for their generous donation. Read more about Delta and the HFIM program here.

$5M Hospitality Gift

The Delta Air Lines Foundation has committed $5 million to the University of Georgia Hospitality and Food Industry Management program, which is housed in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences. A leader in the hospitality and travel sector, Delta’s commitment to investing in communities and enhancing the student experience at UGA will make an impact on the industry for years to come.

"Having the Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel on campus allows me to go straight from the classroom to my internship, where I work as a Hotel Division Intern, and immediately apply what I’ve learned through real-world experience. The upcoming renovations will provide even more opportunities for me and my fellow Hospitality and Food Industry Management students to deepen our understanding and appreciation of industry operations through hands-on learning. Thank you, Delta, for your generous gift and continued support." --Aubrey Roberts

HFIM student and current intern at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel

Mentorship Program

A unique aspect of the HFIM program is its requirement for students to participate in two for-credit internships. Many students opt to complete this requirement with the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel. Through their internship program, students receive tailored mentorship and leadership which allows them to learn about the hospitality industry right in our backyard. We are grateful to have this partnership available on campus.

Georgia Center Mentorship

Mentorship at Georgia Center opens doors in hospitality program.

HOST Summit

On May 5th, the Georgia Center for Continuing Education and Hotel, in partnership with the Hospitality and Food Industry Management program, hosted the Fourth Annual UGA GA Hospitality and Tourism Summit. This event included 5 different panels of industry leaders and innovators from organizations such as Delta Airlines and the RItz-Carlton Reynolds, Lake Oconee. These panels covered topics including a Tourism Update for Georgia, the Business of Hospitality, Luxury Hospitality and Culinary Innovation, Diversifying Agritourism, Redefining Luxury Hospitality, and Mastering Hospitality Growth. This Summit provides a one-of-a-kind forum for students to network, engage, and learn from industry professionals. At the Summit, David Dukes (SVP of Benson's Hospitality Group) was awarded the HFIM Hospitality Partner of the Year, as shown in the photo below.