We are the recognized leader in hospitality business education, research, and service.

The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University has launched the careers of thousands of leaders in hospitality and service professions and transformed the landscape of hospitality education. Founded in 1927, we are hailed as the original hospitality business school and rank among the top hospitality programs in the nation.

School Information Sheet

1
U.S. Public Program
(College Choice, 2021)

1
U.S. Public Program
(Successful Student, 2021)

3
Hotel & Restaurant Management Degree Program
(Best Value Schools, 2021)

3
Hospitality Program in the World
(CEOWorld, 2022)

Karthik Namasivayam

Director
John and Becky Duffey Professor in Hospitality Business
View Profile

Welcome! We are glad you are here!

The School of Hospitality Business is an industry-focused school within the Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University. We have been educating the leaders of hospitality and service businesses since 1927 and are proud that we are consistently ranked among the top hospitality programs in the world. In 2021 we were pleased to be ranked as the top hospitality program at a public university in the United States by The Best Schools and as a top five hospitality program globally by CEOWorld magazine.

The School attracts some of the brightest students who graduate to assume leadership positions in the service industry around the world. Our accomplished faculty share their intimate knowledge of the industry and latest research in the classroom to ensure our students have the latest knowledge and skills to shape and lead a constantly evolving industry. Our alumni excel in leadership positions in every segment of the hospitality industry: hotels, resorts, cruise lines, theme and entertainment parks, restaurants, event businesses, and casinos. Our students have the skills and knowledge to be successful leaders of service industries such as consulting, real estate investments, hospitals, and luxury sales. The world is truly at your feet with an MSU degree!

At MSU you will find yourself surrounded by caring and dedicated staff, faculty, and students, each committed to helping you achieve your desired future. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to welcoming you here!

News at The School

Giving stories

Larry Bell talks with another person at a Broad College event.

Bell’s Brewery founder crafts support fund for Broad beverage course

With Larry Bell’s $200,000 gift, hospitality business students will get a taste of high-quality beverage education.

Alumni stories

Mike Vichich stands while speaking to a class of students in the Minskoff Pavilion.

Pung Speaker Series: What it takes to build a start-up from the ground up

Alumnus Mike Vichich candidly shared what he learned about leadership and entrepreneurship while creating Wisely.

Student stories

Broad students present at the 2023 Diversity Research Showcase

Broad Spartans excel at university-wide Diversity Research Showcase

First- and second-place awards were given to hospitality business students at MSU’s sixth annual event.

See More News

Our Vision

Our vision is to be the recognized leader in hospitality business education, research and service.

Our Mission

INSPIRE continuous learning by empowering present and future managers to ACQUIRE knowledge, skills and global hospitality business leadership positions

CREATE knowledge by engaging in collaborative theoretical and applied research for the benefit of undergraduate and graduate students, hospitality businesses and the community of hospitality management scholars

ENGAGE our hospitality business partners through outreach and service, and to ENHANCE global hospitality business economic, community and academic development

CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE The School’s global leadership position in hospitality business operations, development, ownership and management.

Our Core Values

Upcoming Events

Monday, March 20

Hospitality Business: Club Management Association of America BMI GM/COO

Wednesday, March 22

Hospitality Business: Schmidgall Lecture Series on Service Ethics

3:00 pm-5:00 pm

Friday, March 24

Hospitality Business: Destination Auction

Thursday, April 6

Hospitality Business: Phoenix Networking Reception

5:30 pm-7:00 pm

Our Faculty

Michael McCall

Hilton Hotels Fellow
The School of Hospitality Business

Bonnie Knutson

Professor
The School of Hospitality Business

Ray Schmidgall

Hilton Hotels Professor of Hospitality Financial Management Emeritus
The School of Hospitality Business

View Full Directory

Education attractive to employers and graduate schools alike.

Hospitality classes taught in The School:

Are taught by well-known and innovative faculty members
Offer a perfect mix of theory and practical application
Feature hands-on experiences and group dynamics
Emphasize teamwork and problem solving
Involve real-world situations
Frequently include visiting leaders from the industry for a real-world perspective on the subject

Programs

Students earn a highly versatile hospitality business bachelor of arts degree with a rigorous and relevant curriculum. The curriculum draws from three areas of study: general education, business and hospitality.

Explore Program

Students prepare for a career in hospitality real estate development firms, acquisition and development departments within major hospitality companies, hospitality consulting or appraisal firms, and mortgage lenders specializing in hotels, real estate acquisition funds and asset management companies.

Learn More

The School of Hospitality Business faculty are sought-after speakers and facilitators for corporations and associations across the globe. In addition, The School proudly hosts the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) Business Management Institute III, the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) Executive Development Program, and the U.S. Air Force Services Executive Development Program.

Faculty are also available to custom design executive programs for your organization. As the authors of the industry’s leading textbooks, resource materials, and research, the faculty are well-suited to help meet executive-level educational needs.

The Leader

A Midwest icon, The School and its faculty and students share a remarkable work ethic and land-grant values that take the best thinking in the world, make it practical and apply the rewards of outstanding higher education in the public realm that is the business of hospitality.

The School’s longstanding philosophy of relationship building and connectivity means our students, alumni and faculty are all part of an ongoing, influential network that has mentored, empowered, assisted and influenced generations who have chosen the path of hospitality.

The School’s leadership position is highlighted by the success of our alumni, who stand out among the industry leaders shaping the business of hospitality, and who have helped to build The School’s reputation as the leader.

The School Firsts
- The Hotel Association, a student activities club that became the forerunner of today’s Hospitality Association (1928), is founded.
- The Kellogg Foundation grants $1.4 million for construction of the Kellogg Center for Continuing Education (1947), originally conceived as a “training ground” for students in The School of HRI.
- The first Les Gourmets dinner dance is held in the Kellogg Center ballroom (1951).
- An MBA with a hotel and restaurant management major is launched (1962).
- CAREER EXPO joins students with employers (1981).
- The Hilton Hotels Professor in Hospitality Financial Management is endowed by Hilton Hotels Corporation (1989).
- Our Visiting Distinguished Chefs program begins (1989).
- V-Commerce course is developed and hits the classroom (2000).
- Master of Science in Hospitality Business degree launches (2003).
- Graduate Specialization in Hospitality Business becomes available (2003).
- Endowed faculty and staff award is created (2005).
- Hospitality Business Real Estate & Development undergraduate specialization broadens perspectives (2005).
The School Originals
- Held up as the model for others, the Hotel Training Course launches (1927).
- Les Gourmets gives students hands-on event and service experience (1951).
- Students learn from the best through the famous Visiting Leaders Series (1988).
- Hilton Lecture Series connects the academy with the industry (1990).
- With an amazing array of services, the Student & Industry Resource Center (1991), formerly the Internship Office, forges lifelong connections among students, industry executives and hospitality corporations.
- Dr. Lewis J. and Mrs. Ruth E. Minor endow the position of Chef de Cuisine (1992).
- The first annual joint venture fundraising auction with students and alumni (Hospitality Association/MSU-HRIM Alumni Association Auction -1992) kicks off a fun and successful new tradition.
- Our name changes to The School of Hospitality Business (1995).
- Our faculty authors leading hospitality texts, respected and used by the hospitality academy and the industry
- The Wall of Fame is established to recognize alumni (1995).
- The all-new Michael L. Minor M.S. in Foodservice Management program is unveiled (1996).
- The Annual Patriarchs Breakfast celebrates alumni who graduated 50 (or more) years ago (1991).
- The National Automatic Merchandising Professor position is endowed by NAMA (1999).
- The School becomes independent within The Eli Broad College of Business. (2001)
- The first 75 years are beautifully chronicled in the 400-page book, The Legacy of the Leader (2002).
- The Annual Gathering of Leaders keeps alumni connected throughout their careers-Chicago reception at NRA Show.
- The School’s Gathering of Leaders inaugurates its recognition of the Emerging Alumnus Leader of the Year (2003).
- Celebration of Leadership puts a spotlight on The School grads who are leading change in the industry – New York reception at IH/M&R Show.
- Original MSU-HRIM Alumni Association launches the Spartan Sponsors Mentor Program, linking students with active industry professionals