A message from Fiona Allan, Vice President Academic:
As we enjoy the remaining weeks of summer, I am excited to announce key operational changes for the Fall term that will benefit our students, our College and the community.
In September, we will introduce our new Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division which will be comprised of three schools: Culinary Arts; Hospitality and Tourism; and Wine, Beer and Spirits.
Moving forward, NC’s School of Culinary Arts and School of Wine Beer and Spirits will replace the former Canadian Food and Wine Institute, which has gained national and international acclaim for blazing trails in food and beverage education over the past decade. The two new distinct schools will better represent the variety of academic program offerings available and will support our college-wide organizational structure, which centers around a strong NC brand and helps set us apart in a competitive postsecondary marketplace.
The School of Hospitality and Tourism (formerly the School of Hospitality Tourism and Sport) will move from the Business, Tourism and Environment division to align with culinary and beverage programs more closely and create exciting new synergies.
New foodservice model
A new foodservice model based on academic delivery will replace the former CFWI model beginning in September.
Focusing on work-integrated learning to enhance the student experience, the new model will provide real-world experiences for culinary students to showcase their skills – through pop-up lunches and dinners, catering, ticket events and retail sales, which will be open to the College community and the public.
In addition to supporting improved academic delivery and work-integrated learning opportunities for culinary students, the new model leverages synergies with other program areas including hospitality, horticulture, wine, beer, and spirits.
It will also create more opportunities for students to connect with the community and learn social responsibility through their work with community agencies and charities.
Benchmark, which formerly operated as a traditional restaurant, will become a learning lab and event space. It will not only host student-focused ticketed dining events but will become a hub for an expanded Feed the Community program to support those in need.
Watch for more details about our new foodservice model to be unveiled as Fall term begins.
New opportunities
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and operational changes that followed, provided our College with a unique opportunity to review our CFWI branding and foodservice model along with a chance to put our College’s 2022-2027 Strategic Plan into action. As a result, these significant changes align with several areas of focus in our new Strategic Plan, from wholistic student experience, academic excellence, and alumni and partner engagement, to academic excellence.
In addition to enhanced academic delivery, the new model is designed to be more responsive to College needs with increased financial sustainability.
Reorganization and staffing announcements
The new Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division will be led by Craig Youdale (Dean) and Maija Saari (Associate Dean).
The School of Hospitality and Tourism, which will move to the new Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies Division, will include the College’s Hospitality, Tourism and Esthetician programs: Honours Bachelor of Business Administration (Hospitality), Esthetician, Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations, Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Tourism Management – Business Development.
Sport Management and Sport Administration programs will move to the School of Business and Management where April Tyrell will become Associate Dean, Business and Management as Adam Weaver returns to faculty.
The former Business, Tourism and Environment division, led by Dean Al Unwin, will be renamed and more details will be announced via InsideNC.
Evan DiValentino will take on the role of Associate Dean of the School of Environment and Horticulture, as Katie Altoft returns to faculty.
Please join me in congratulating those who are taking on new roles this Fall term.
