02/15/16 sds
Nineteen students from Fort Hays State University participated in a one week tourism and hospitality management externship at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown early last month.

The course allowed students to shadow managers in numerous functional areas throughout the hotel, experience a variety of dining styles and gain exposure to different sectors of the industry via private tours. The course engaged students in the various aspects of the industry including travel, lodging, events, restaurants and spa management.

The experience was designed by Dr. Stacey Smith, THM program director, Josey Vandiver, program assistant, and Jordan Carlisle, a graduate of the program, as part of an intersession course of study.

"With tourism and hospitality being one of the largest and fastest growing industries in the world, the job opportunities are abundant," said Smith.

"This experience gave our students the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the industry, increase their professional networks and generate more ideas for possible career paths," she said. "I thank the many managers and associates of the Kansas City Marriott Downtown for hosting this experience as well as the managers who provided tours and shared their expertise with the students."

Travel and tourism support 15 million jobs in the United States. Worldwide, travel and tourism support 277 million jobs, or one in 11 jobs around the world.

"This amazing experience really opened my eyes, and I'm very excited to continue my studies in this field," said Rachel Luedders, Hays sophomore.

"The opportunities the THM program at Fort Hays State provided me as a student gave me information and skills I needed to be successful in the industry," said Carlisle, a 2014 FHSU graduate and senior director of services at the Kansas City Marriot Downtown.

Students who participated are listed alphabetically by home town:

AUGUSTA: Madison Macari, junior.

AURORA, Colo.: DeNae Gould, sophomore.

BELOIT: Shelbi Wiles, senior.

DERBY: Kendrae Smith, junior.

ELLSWORTH: Chelsea Andrews, junior.

FLAGER, Colo.: Carissa Roan, junior.

GARDEN CITY: Ricky Carrasco, junior.

HAYS: Haili Leiker, sophomore.
Rachel Luedders, sophomore.
Kate Neer, sophomore.
Olivia Wiesner, sophomore.

HOISINGTON: Megan Schlochtermeier, senior.

HUTCHINSON: Alyssa Danler, junior.

LEAVENWORTH: Emma Forgey, senior.

ROBINSON: Josey Vandiver, senior.

STOCKTON: Janie Gilmore, senior.

SUBLETTE: Emmanuel Trejo, senior.

WELLINGTON: Gracie Defore, junior.

WILEY, Colo.: Maggie Schneider, senior.