BGSU Resort & Attraction Management Program
A higher education presence in downtown Sandusky
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BGSU meets Cedar Fair, economic development meets workforce development, town meets gown. A lot of great things are meeting up in downtown Sandusky for the new Resort and Attraction Management (RAAM) program. The program, which is a Bachelor's Degree program for students when they are in their junior and senior years in college, is the first ever in the country to offer a major in this concentration. Next summer the first batch of students will grace Sandusky's sidewalks. With the vision for a university presence in downtown Sandusky and the leadership of motivated, long-standing community partners in BGSU and Cedar Fair, this public-private partnership was born. In higher education, pubic-private partnerships don't often stretch beyond naming rights. In this case, private partner Cedar Fair will not only be housing the education program, but also guiding curriculum based on industry-needs and providing students with unmatched in-field work experience. Cedar Fair also spearheaded the development of the downtown site - another win in the revival of Sandusky's historic district, which has seen over $100 million in private investment in the last three years.
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- 78,000 +/- SF of academic, retail, and housing with 80 apartments
- $14 million investment
- $12.3 million in construction and operations payroll over 6.5 years
- 200 students at maximum capacity by year 3
- A Bowling Green "classroom" + a Cedar Fair "lab"
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ECEDC recently had the chance to sit down with the program's Founding Director, Swathi Ravichandran, to get an inside look at what it takes to run an unprecedented program like this one. Ravichandran comes to BGSU following 14 years working in the hospitality management program at Kent State University. While a teacher at her core, the position of Founding Director will present Ravichandran with an opportunity that most professors will never have - the chance to be an entrepreneur as Swathi describes it. In this role, Swathi is building the program from scratch. This has her meeting with local business owners, creating a vision for what the program looks like five years from now, deciding who the other leaders and faculty of the program will be, coordinating with all departments of the university, and working hand in hand with counterparts at Cedar Fair. One thing that has continually impressed Swathi since starting this position is the immense level of commitment and support not only from her institution but from private partners as well. Cedar Point now houses a Manager for Cooperative Learning Partnerships - Danielle Heffernan - and both she and Swathi are constantly asked by their teams and the community: How can we help? What do you need?
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BGSU meets Cedar Fair, economic development meets workforce development, town meets gown. A lot of great things are meeting up in downtown Sandusky for the new Resort and Attraction Management (RAAM) program. The program, which is a Bachelor's Degree program for students when they are in their junior and senior years in college, is the first ever in the country to offer a major in this concentration. Next summer the first batch of students will grace Sandusky's sidewalks. With the vision for a university presence in downtown Sandusky and the leadership of motivated, long-standing community partners in BGSU and Cedar Fair, this public-private partnership was born. In higher education, pubic-private partnerships don't often stretch beyond naming rights. In this case, private partner Cedar Fair will not only be housing the education program, but also guiding curriculum based on industry-needs and providing students with unmatched in-field work experience. Cedar Fair also spearheaded the development of the downtown site - another win in the revival of Sandusky's historic district, which has seen over $100 million in private investment in the last three years.
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While Swathi was excited to share some insight into her role as Founding Director, it was evident in conversation her true energy and enthusiasm are directed toward what unique opportunities this program will offer for students. Since the program is designed for Juniors and Seniors, when the students arrive to Sandusky, they are ready to be "immersed". Every student is guaranteed and paid for two co-op work experiences during the program, completing an eight-week co-op at the beginning and closing with a twelve-week co-op the next summer. This allows students to explore different roles, departments, companies, locations, environments, and so on. These experiences are customizable and wouldn't be possible without the public-private partnership at the foundation of the program. In addition to co-op experience, each semester students are enrolled in a "professional development" program which includes off-site seminars, networking and other industry-based learning experiences. Just as Swathi is excited to descend upon downtown Sandusky with incoming students next summer, Sandusky is excited to welcome them. The program has capacity for 200 students at any given time, and is expecting about 50 in its first year. Current applications are coming in from students in Texas, Nebraska, California, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, and North Carolina. Thanks to BGSU and Cedar Fair for bringing the opportunity to train, develop, and retain this diverse group of students to our community.
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The demand for skilled and educated talent is increasing.
Only 55 percent of adults in Northeast Ohio have the required education or skill level to meet the demand predicted by 2025. A 10 percent growth in individuals with certificate or degreed training is needed to keep up with regional job demands. Cedar Fair and BGSU are addressing this challenge head on with the RAAM program. ECEDC helps businesses understand this gap in relation to their industry, explore it more closely, and connect them with programs and resources to correct the mismatch.
Contact us to learn more.
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Stay Tuned for Day 2: Urban Health Collective
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The 12 Days of Development email series recognizes and celebrates another year of progress in Erie County, Ohio. Throughout the weeks of December, you will receive email spotlights on a company investing, improving and innovating in our community. We can't capture it all, so let us know a neighbor we missed or what activities you've got planned to make the 2020 list!
#ErieCounty12Days
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