NEW ALBANY, IN (November 18, 2024) – Indiana University Southeast is excited to announce the launch of two new bachelor’s degree programs designed to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in tourism, hospitality, event planning, and sports leadership. Starting in the fall of 2025, IU Southeast will offer a Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Planning and a Sports Leadership Track within the Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies.
These programs address key economic drivers in the Kentuckiana region, where tourism, hospitality, and sporting events generate a $3.4 billion annual economic impact for the greater Louisville area.
Statewide, tourism is Kentucky’s third-largest industry and in Indiana it is the thirteenth largest industry, contributing $29.6 billion collectively in the two states, each year. Louisville has also earned national recognition, named a Top 50 Tourist Destination for 2024 by The New York Times.
Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Planning
The Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Planning program is designed to prepare students for dynamic careers in these high-impact industries. The curriculum emphasizes critical areas such as marketing, sustainable travel practices, and destination planning, while also covering hotel and restaurant management, event design, logistics, contract negotiation, and risk management. Students will gain the skills to plan and manage conferences, weddings, corporate events, and other large-scale gatherings.
Recognizing the importance of networking in these fields, the program provides students with opportunities to connect with industry professionals and alumni. These connections, paired with access to internships, guest speakers, and industry events, will help students secure career placements in hotels, regional tourism bureaus, convention centers, and restaurants.
Program coordinator Greg Roberts says IU Southeast is reaching out to businesses and professionals in the region and is looking forward to having them involved with this degree and the students in the program.
“By fostering strong partnerships with industry professionals, we create opportunities for internships, mentorships, and real-world projects that not only enhance students’ education but also provide direct benefits to local businesses,” said Roberts.
Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Matt Gibson sees the impact the new degree program will make on the Kentuckiana region.
“Now in its 70th year, the Kentucky Derby Festival has grown from a single event into a monthlong celebration and tourism driver in Kentuckiana. Programs and partnerships like this generate a skilled talent pool that is key to the future success of both the events and tourism industries in our area,” said Gibson. “With more than 70 events on the Festival’s schedule every spring we can help provide students with hands-on experience and insights into event production to prepare them for careers in an emerging field.”
SoIN Tourism Executive Director Jim Epperson said his organization is “thrilled to have IU Southeast as a partner for us and for the tourism and hospitality businesses we serve. Our sector is hungry for that skilled workforce and I anticipate there will be eager partners willing to provide workplace learning opportunities and to assist where appropriate in the classroom to foster the next wave of welcoming faces backed up by knowledge and skills.”
Sports Leadership Track
The IU Southeast Sports Leadership Track is a unique and immersive program designed to equip students with the skills and expertise needed for a wide range of careers in the sports industry.
The Sports Leadership Track blends coursework in communication, journalism, media, and business to create a comprehensive learning experience. Graduates will earn a degree in Communication Studies with a specialized focus on the sports sector, preparing them for roles such as:
- Coaching and Athletic Directing
- Facility Management
- Sports Journalism and Broadcasting
- Sports Promotion and Branding
- Public Relations
- Event Planning
The Sports Leadership Track also provides personalized learning opportunities, giving students access to internships, industry professionals, and career placement resources. The program emphasizes practical experience, ensuring students are prepared to meet the challenges and demands of this competitive field.
“[Athletics is] central to the lives of our students, many of whom know they want athletics/sports to be part of their careers,” said Dr. Alexandra Sousa, assistant professor of Communication Studies at IU Southeast. “This degree is unlike any comparative programs because of its customizability, interdisciplinary nature, and prioritization on career-readiness that prepares students for a breadth of careers in athletics.”
A Regional Commitment to Workforce Development
“IU Southeast is committed to aligning our academic offerings with the demonstrated need for quality professionals in our region,” said Dr. Michelle Williams, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at IU Southeast. “These programs are not only educational investments in our students but also economic investments in the Kentuckiana region.”
The university is accepting students in the programs now and will begin offering the programs to new students in the Fall 2025 semester.
For more information about these new programs and admissions, please visit southeast.iu.edu or contact Chris Crews in the Office of Admissions at ius.admissions@iu.edu.
###
About IU Southeast: IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from eight counties in the Louisville region. For more information, visit https://southeast.iu.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.
Add a Comment