Recently, six full-time faculty members from the Hospitality and Restaurant Administration Department at Missouri State University earned the Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) distinction awarded by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel and Lodging Association. This rigorous program is designed to help faculty strengthen their students’ critical thinking skills and ability to learn and retain course content.
Dan Crafts, Melissa Dallas, Abbe Ehlers, Melanie Grand, and Stephanie Hein first earned their CHE distinction in 2011 and successfully completed the recertification process in October 2015. Jokima Hiller was awarded her initial CHE designation during June 2015.
Completion of the CHE process signifies the commitment the hospitality faculty members have to excellence in the classroom. Regardless of the years of teaching experience, each hospitality faculty member remains committed to providing the best learning environment possible for the department’s students.
The Certified Hospitality Educator designation is internationally recognized by the hospitality education community and is recommended by the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education, the Club Managers, and the American Culinary Federation. Recertification is granted every five years to faculty who have participated in on-going professional development activities, continuing education, industry-related service, and educational service.