Houston – July 20, 2020 – The Master of Science in Global Hospitality Business (MGH) program is the recipient of the distinguished McCool Breakthrough Award for 2020, which is presented annually by the International Council of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (I-CHRIE). The world's largest organization of hospitality and tourism educators, I-CHRIE recognized this global master’s program for its innovative and unparalleled approach to experiential graduate hospitality education. The tripartite program was created and is offered jointly by the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and EHL in Lausanne, Switzerland.

In granting this honor, the award committee acknowledged that “the cross-cultural, three-continent approach that includes immersion in business projects, certification and field trips to business hubs around the globe is certainly distinctive and noteworthy. It is unquestionably a unique approach to hospitality graduate education.”

The first-of-its-kind MGH program has been a success since its inception. Launched in 2015, this partnership between the world’s leading hospitality institutions represents the very best of what both the East and the West have to offer, and has redefined what a graduate education in global hospitality can be.

The program’s innovative educational strategy allows students to spend one semester across three continents – Europe, Asia and North America – capitalizing on three outstanding faculties and campuses. It also provides students with invaluable exposure to three distinct world markets and three diverse cultures, allowing them to develop and enrich their hospitality mindset as well as to build their leadership toolbox. This unrivaled global educational experience is the hallmark of the MGH program and facilitates students to truly "think global and act local".

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award and grateful for the recognition that it brings to our tripartite degree. There really is no other program like it anywhere in the world,” Dr. Dennis Reynolds, dean of Hilton College and the Barron Hilton Distinguished Chair, said. “The MGH program embodies the future of graduate hospitality education and speaks to Hilton College’s mission to create the future leaders of the global hospitality industry. In just five years, we are already seeing our graduates transforming the industry in leadership positions the world over.” 

Leading the experience for students at Hilton College is Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies Ki-Joon Back and International Program Director Jennifer Glickman. Dr. Back is also the College’s Eric Hilton Distinguished Chair.

The McCool Breakthrough Award is given to an individual, group, program, school, college, association or corporation that has made a significant breakthrough or introduced a unique approach in the spirit of I-CHRIE's mission. The award recognizes an outstanding event, activity or program and is presented in memory of Willie McCool – a dedicated and successful astronaut and son of Audrey and Barry McCool, faculty members at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Contact:
Debbie Maurer
dkmaurer@uh.edu
713-743-5594