THEC Grant To Expand Tourism Programs
October 3, 2022
From left are Joe Fall, head of the hospitality business program; Dr. Jama Spicer-Sutton,
dean of the Sevier County Campus; Dr. Tony Miksa, president of Walters State; Joe
Cairns, director of the Maples Institute for Culinary Arts; Dr. Kim Bolton, dean of
distance education; and Dr. John LaPrise, vice president for educational outreach.
Walters State Community College has received a $985,266 grant from the Tennessee Higher
Education Commission to expand learning opportunities in the fields of hospitality
business and culinary arts.
The funding is part of the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) grant
initiative and was funded by the Tennessee General Assembly. The program facilitates
the alignment of local workforce and education partners to facilitate employer-driven
career pathways.
The grant will fund the Student Hospitality Apprenticeship Experience (SHAPE), a wide-ranging
educational project with the goal of increasing the number of skilled employees for
the tourism industry.
“This grant will enable us to expand training in two key areas of the tourism industry,
hospitality business and culinary arts,” Dr. Tony Miksa, president of Walters State,
said.
“With these funds, we plan to add new apprenticeship programs, increase dual enrollment
classes, and develop creative ways to increase interest in these career fields. We
are now in an even better position to meet the workforce needs of Sevier and surrounding
counties.”
Walters State offers technical certificates and associate degrees in hospitality business
and culinary arts. The college’s Sevier County Campus is home to the Maples Institute
for Culinary Arts, the first program accredited by the Culinary Arts Institute in
Tennessee.
Research completed in preparing the grant revealed that record-setting visitation
numbers for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park increased the need for workers
with specific skill sets for the hospitality industry. Seventeen businesses surveyed
by the Sevier County Economic Development Council revealed the need for 1,150 additional
employees.
SHAPE includes four components. The first, Career Awareness, began implementation
last spring, with events showing students the variety of jobs available in hospitality
business and culinary arts.
The second component, Career Pathways Expansion, will involve a more substantive outreach
to high school students. Dual enrollment classes focused on hospitality business and
culinary arts are included. A limited number of pre-apprenticeships will also be available.
The third component, Hospitality/Culinary Programming, will expand the reach of hospitality
and culinary arts programs. The college will work with high schools in Cocke, Jefferson
and Sevier counties to create career awareness. Funding will also add a butchery and
meat cutting certificate to the Maples Institute of Culinary Arts. This will be the
first such program in Tennessee. A Mobile Culinary Arts Learning Lab (food truck)
will be designed and funded to foster career awareness, increase entrepreneurial focus,
and better prepare students for the workforce.
The fourth component, Culinary Bootcamp, offers a three-day workshop for 25 high school
instructors. Guest chefs will teach and share techniques.
Dr. Jama Spicer-Sutton, dean of the Sevier County Campus, has already hosted career
exploration days through grant funds and collaborations with local hospitality firms.
“We recently hosted high school students but we plan to go into middle schools,” Spicer-Sutton
said. “This is really an eye-opening experience. They realize all the different jobs
that are available in the industry locally. Many are surprised to learn about the
training available at little or no cost. I am very excited about the new projects
funded through this grant.”
Walters State’s Division of Workforce Training will use some of the funds to expand
current apprenticeship programs. Apprentice agreements exist between the college,
area employees and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
“The hospitality industry is integral to the economy of East Tennessee. These funds
will enable Walters State to increase our programs and services.” said Dr. John LaPrise,
vice president for educational outreach. His area includes the Division of Workforce
Training.
In the photo: Walters State’s tourism-focused programs will be reaching out to new
students with assistance from a $985,266 grant from the Tennessee Higher Education
Commission. From left are Joe Fall, head of the hospitality business program; Dr.
Jama Spicer-Sutton, dean of the Sevier County Campus; Dr. Tony Miksa, president of
Walters State; Joe Cairns, director of the Maples Institute for Culinary Arts; Dr.
Kim Bolton, dean of distance education; and Dr. John LaPrise, vice president for educational
outreach.