As a shovel slices into Blue Bell ground, it symbolizes the start of a new era for hospitality education and training at Montgomery County Community College.
Construction recently started on MCCC’s new Hospitality Institute, transforming the former campus bookstore into a state-of-the-art experiential learning center.
“The new Hospitality Institute will be a game-changer for workforce and economic development. This innovative facility will offer new and expanded programs that will prepare students for high-demand occupations in the growing hospitality and restaurant industries,” said Dr. Victoria L. Bastecki-Perez, MCCC President.
The building will include a pastry and bakery retail shop featuring the students’ creations, pasta laboratory and chocolate laboratory. Together with the restaurant, these spaces will serve as real live-learning experiences for students to study different aspects of operating a culinary business.
MCCC’s well-respected Tourism and Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, and Baking & Pastry Arts will relocate to the Blue Bell Campus.
In addition to these popular programs, MCCC will add Beverage Management, Fermentation Science and Nutrition Science programs among others added to our portfolio.
“The Hospitality Institute will not only offer our current Hospitality and Culinary programs, but it presents an opportunity to add new, cutting-edge programs that will enhance the existing portfolio,” said Karima Roepel, MCCC Director of the Hospitality Institute.
“In the next few years, the demand for skilled employees and leaders in these areas will continue to grow.”
Opportunities also will abound with the new proposed Fermentation Science and Technology and Nutrition Science programs.
The Institute will offer a variety of non-credit classes for anyone who wants to learn about culinary and baking skills. MCCC also will offer group or company team-building sessions and date nights.
There will also be outdoor spaces for interdisciplinary learning. Long-range plans call for planting fruit trees and gardens to use fresh ingredients in the culinary labs and restaurant while continuing to support local food pantries.
MCCC’s Foundation is actively pursuing partnerships for philanthropic support to help grow more opportunities for students at the Hospitality Institute
For more information about the new Hospitality Institute, visit its website.
About Montgomery County Community College
For more than a half century, Montgomery County Community College has grown with the community to meet the evolving educational needs of Montgomery County. The college’s comprehensive curriculum includes more than 100 associate degree and certificate programs, as well as customized workforce training and certifications. Students enjoy the flexibility of learning at the College’s thriving campuses in Blue Bell and Pottstown, at the Culinary Arts Institute in Lansdale, and online.
As an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction, the institution is positioned at the vanguard of national efforts to remove barriers to access, improve learning outcomes, and increase completion for all students. The college also is recognized regionally and nationally for its sustainability leadership, work with military veterans, community service and service-learning opportunities, and use of classroom technology. For six years, MCCC has been named one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Community Colleges in the nation by the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development for its commitment to diversity through inclusive learning and work environments, student and staff recruitment and retention practices, and meaningful community service and engagement opportunities.
For more information, visit the college website.
