MEMBER NEWS: Merced College Hospitality Career Academy Graduates

Merced College Honors Inaugural Hospitality Career Academy Graduates

Merced College’s Hospitality Career Academy (HCA), a new and innovative partnership between the college and JdV by Hyatt, held its inaugural graduation ceremony Dec. 6.

The ceremony honored the first cohort of 15 students from a wide variety of ages and backgrounds who completed the 12-week academy, which is designed to equip and prepare local residents for careers in the hospitality industry.

“This program is a shining example of what Merced College does best,” President Chris Vitelli said. “We provide our students with outstanding opportunities to learn and grow into new careers, and we partner in thoughtful ways with businesses and organizations in our community to help meet their needs in the process. This is a huge win-win for our region, and we’re so proud to be a part of it.

Merced College and JdV plan to offer another Hospitality Career Academy in Spring 2022, with the addition of a new mixology class to prepare students for in-demand jobs in bartending. A kickoff event is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 31.

See the  MC press release.

(CVHEC members are encouraged to submit items for this column: centralvalleyhec@gmail.com).