The Program

An intensive, three-year degree earned in the classroom & at the resort
Green Mountain College and the senior management at Killington Resort collaborate on this innovative Bachelor of Science in Resort & Hospitality Management. The RHM program combines cooperative-based management education with the College's nationally recognized Environmental Liberal Arts curriculum. Students study courses in a resort setting and work in paid positions at the resort each year and graduate with a solid resume of experience in the industry.

Focus on Destination Resorts & Independent Operations
Resorts: The structure of the program focuses on the destination resort as an entity. The program concentrates on the entire resort setting, including, interval property ownership, guest activity planning, environmental concerns, and retail operations in addition to lodging/food service operations.

Hospitality: Small and independent operators dominate the global hospitality industry. Such is the case in Vermont's hospitality industry as well. Thus the program has the flavor and character of small and independent properties.

Managers & leaders involving students in real decisions
The Killington management team is a solid academic partner that contributes to the Resort Management Program by:

• Involving the students in strategic meetings.
• Providing senior management as adjunct faculty and mentors.
• Involving students in special (ongoing) projects.
• Providing quality mentoring experiences during the students' co-ops at Killington.

A campus that's right next door to Killington Resort
Students in the Resort and Hospitality Management Program live at the Lodge at Killington for their first two years in the program. Just five minutes from Killington operations, the Lodge is a full-service residence, including foodservice, dining room, laundry facilities, recreation room and fireplace/lounge. Classroom space is located just minutes away at the Highridge Conference Center.

Trimester Calendar
The program is structured to allow students to earn their degree in three years instead of the traditional four. Students should be aware that this is a program with a distinctly different academic calendar than that of the Poultney campus and many other colleges. The curriculum is based on trimester terms as follows (dates are approximate): Fall: Labor Day through Thanksgiving (coursework); Winter: Mid-December through end of February (co-ops); Spring: Mid-March through the first week of June (coursework).

Program Profile
General approach of the RHM program

• Theory
• Understanding
• Application
• Reflection

Courses reflect creativity, innovation and applied learning. Learning is kinesthetic, hand-on and visual. Killington Resort is the laboratory to apply theory. Review Board evaluation program for tracking student performance.

Co-op Programs
The student is given an opportunity to enhance and develop his/her resort management skills. This is more than just an hourly position. It includes weekly meetings to discuss various topics including leadership, communication, ethics, marketing, budgeting, international and seasonal workforces. Entrance and exit interviews are held with the student employee, supervisor, Killington Co-op Coordinator and RHM faculty regarding goal setting, mentoring, student development, monthly evaluations and special projects.

Some sample projects have included:
Designed Internal theft reporting system
Designed Ski School Call Center scheduling system
Developed Plan for Enhanced Tree Skiing