Investing in Hospitality at UGA

Preparing tomorrow’s leaders for Georgia’s fastest-growing industry.

The University of Georgia’s Hospitality and Food Industry Management (HFIM) program is transforming the way students learn and lead in hospitality.

Located in the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, the Hospitality and Food Industry Management program at UGA is transforming student learning through a $10.39 million renovation to add a teaching kitchen, event management and beverage management lab at the UGA Center for Continuing Education & Hotel (Georgia Center).

The program’s unique partnership with the Georgia Center, coupled with internships completed across companies nationwide, our students gain real-world experience in hotels, restaurants, event venues, convention and visitor bureaus, travel companies, and more.

Two women reviewing a clipboard together while standing at a catered buffet table in a hotel setting. The woman on the right wears a green and white striped sweater with a red name tag and holds both a clipboard and phone, while the woman on the left wears a collared shirt and plaid skirt. The buffet table displays silver chafing dishes, trays of pastries, and platters of fresh fruit under fluorescent lighting.Retry

Rapid Growth and National Recognition

#1

UGA’s HFIM program is the top ranked public university hospitality major in NICHE College Rankings

358%

Student enrollment growth since 2019 – the third-fastest growing major at UGA

2x

The program will double student enrollment within five years to meet hospitality industry demand

Real-World Learning Laboratory

The Georgia Center partners with the HFIM program to provide students with access to a real-world learning lab. This dynamic environment allows students to apply classroom knowledge in live hospitality settings, gaining experience in:

Guest services operations
Food and beverage management
Event coordination and logistics
Facilities and lodging operations
Revenue and performance analysis

Students rotate through departments, shadow professionals, and manage real events—from university conferences to VIP receptions. Many HFIM students complete internships at the Georgia Center before advancing to placements at brands like Marriott, Disney, BMW, and Chick-fil-A.

The Georgia Center is more than a classroom—it’s a launchpad for hospitality careers. The upcoming renovation will enhance this learning lab with modernized spaces, upgraded technology, and expanded student access to hands-on training.

“The Georgia Center is the perfect place to kick off your time in the hospitality industry. Starting as a hotel division intern, I gained priceless skills in the rooms, housekeeping, and concierge departments. It’s incredibly rewarding to learn the ins and outs of the industry in class, then apply that knowledge hands-on later that day.”

Bobbie Gillespie
HFIM Student

Invest in Georgia’s Fastest-Growing Industry

Through a $10.39 million renovation of the Georgia Center, we’re creating innovative learning environments that merge classroom excellence with real-world experience in restaurant, conference and hotel management.

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