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NCCC President James P. Klyczek and SUNY Empire State College President Merodie A. Hancock at Wednesday's announcement of a new partnership.
NCCC President James P. Klyczek and SUNY Empire State College President Merodie A. Hancock at Wednesday's announcement of a new partnership.

NCCC, SUNY Empire State announce partnership

by jmaloni

Submitted

Fri, Oct 17th 2014 02:40 pm

Niagara County Community College President James P. Klyczek and SUNY Empire State College President Merodie A. Hancock announced Wednesday the two schools are partnering to offer students at NCCC's Niagara Falls Culinary Institute a pathway to earn a Bachelor of Science in business, management and economics, with a concentration in culinary management, from Empire State College beginning this fall.

The pathways agreement guarantees admission for NCCC students who complete their associate in applied science in culinary arts into Empire State College's bachelor's program.

Coursework will be provided through a blend of traditional classes at NFCI and online learning.

"We are incredibly excited to continue the momentum begun with the opening of the Niagara Falls Culinary Institute last fall by offering our students the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree from Empire State College, while remaining at the state-of-the-art facilities of NFCI," said Klyczek. "This four-year degree with a concentration in culinary arts will give our students a competitive advantage in the quest for higher-level jobs in the industry. And, they will continue to learn and work in one of the region's hubs for tourism, which is without question an added bonus when working in the hospitality field."

"This is a great win-win partnership," said Hancock. "NCCC culinary students win by being able to get credit for what they know, as well as being able to move seamlessly into a bachelor's program. Our colleges win, because together we are able to respond to the needs of our community. I would like to extend my thanks to staff at both NCCC and Empire State College for their work in reaching this agreement and for their continuing efforts in making the partnership successful."

NCCC graduates will work one-to-one with faculty mentors from Empire State College to develop personal degree plans. As part of the agreement, Empire State College will offer the opportunity for NCCC students to earn credit for college-level learning gained through work or life experience.

In addition to advanced-level culinary courses, students in the bachelor's program will study topics such as financial management, cost control, facilities and events management, management information systems, customer and vendor relations, marketing and sustainability. The courses designed for this program incorporate current best practices and emerging trends in the culinary field.

Klyczek noted graduates of the bachelor's program will be prepared to enter into management and various leadership positions in food service establishments, having been taught the practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed to manage the kitchen of a restaurant or hotel, or to own and operate their own restaurants.

Prospective students can contact SUNY Empire State College Senior Staff Assistant/Program Coordinator Colleen Reedy at 716-686-7856, or [email protected] and/or Niagara Falls Culinary Institute Student Service Advisor Hannah Berlund at 716-614-2537, or [email protected] for more information.

The Niagara Falls Culinary Institute, occupying 90,000 square feet of the former Rainbow Mall in Niagara Falls, opened its doors to more than 350 students Sept. 4, 2012. The institute boasts state-of-the-art teaching kitchens/laboratories, a student-run exhibition kitchen and a restaurant, pastry shop and deli.

More information about the college is available at www.niagaracc.suny.edu.

Empire State College, the nontraditional, open college of the SUNY system, educates more than 20,000 students worldwide at eight international sites, more than 35 locations in the state of New York, online, as well as face to face and through a blend of both, at the associate, bachelor's and master's levels. More information about the college is available at www.esc.edu.

 

NCCC Niagara Falls Culinary Institute students join Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster (far left), former Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte (right), SUNY Empire State's Hancock and NCCC's Klyczek at the partnership announcement.

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