Developing an understanding of the early collegiate student experiences in hospitality and tourism

ABSTRACT Students arrive on campus with diverse experiences and backgrounds, which can directly impact their performance and retention. By developing a better understanding of who students are as they enter hospitality programs, instructors will be better equipped to ensure the students have a positive collegiate experience and are better prepared to enter industry post-graduation. This research included surveys of students at three times throughout their first year with a purpose of understanding how their opinions of the collegiate experience, industry outlook, and perceptions change, while looking at both academic and non-academic factors. Results of the study showed student perceptions did change based on their initial exposure to hospitality related course material and industry stakeholders, though not all noted occurrences were improvements. Thus, this exploratory study suggests more work is needed to ensure student success and industry stability.