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Adapt and innovate.
Easier said than done. The Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business at West Texas A&M University will launch two new degree programs in fall 2024 – a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a Master of Science in Strategic Human Resource Management.
“As a university, you have to maintain your identity—the unique reasons to attend WT—and these two new degrees are an example of that,” said WT President Walter V. Wendler.
Both degree programs were approved by the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents in February. Subject to final approval by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, classes are expected to begin in fall 2024.
For a master’s degree in the rapidly changing field of human resources, niche is a strategic component.
Those at the bottom of the curriculum believe WT will be one of the few schools offering this component.
“We’ve done our research, and as far as we know, there are only three other universities in the country that have a master’s degree in human resources like this,” said Dr. Rahul Chauhan, associate professor of management and MacRae Professor. Business. “Of those programs, our curriculum is objectively the most robust in my opinion. It’s very unique. There really aren’t many programs like this across the country, and they don’t exist in Texas.”
The hospitality and tourism management course will remain true to the university’s long-standing program, “WT 125: From Panhandle to the World,” which focuses on regional needs and can also be applied beyond the Texas Panhandle.
“Because Amarillo is on Route 66, there’s a lot of tourism that goes through here, and there’s also a lot of tourism happening in the Amarillo area,” said Jonathan Shafer, associate dean for undergraduate programs and Pickens Professor of Management. (Said Dr. Jonathan Shaffer. “While Amarillo is not a tourist destination like a beach resort or Disney World, there is still quite a bit of tourism. “So for students who are interested in those things, we will be able to provide They provide training and education to get involved in the field.”
The master’s degree in human resources is offered in partnership with local chapters of the Society for Human Resource Management and the Panhandle Human Resources Association. The national human resources organization is the recognized governing body in the field, with more than 325,000 members in nearly 200 countries.
“It’s very engaging to build a direct relationship, draw on their insights, and model our curriculum based on their pillars,” Chauhan said. “But it’s also extremely rare for a master’s degree program in human resources to focus on a strategic focus.
“This strategic component is unique in the sense that it goes beyond technical expertise in HR and starts to incorporate how HR assists other parts of the business,” Chauhan continued. “How does HR help accounting? How does HR integrate with finance? How does this contribute to the improvement of the entire organization? The strategic factors are more macro. It goes beyond the technical expertise of the HR department. So that is the main attraction, rarity of this graduate degree Sex and focus.”
Randy Cazarez is the Human Resources Director for Panhandle Community Services. In 2012, he was the first student to graduate from WT with a bachelor’s degree in management (emphasis on human resources).
“The field is constantly changing,” Casares said. “Things have changed dramatically in the four years I’ve worked at Community Services in the Panhandle. You have to be adaptable. COVID-19 has shown us that. There’s something new every day. In terms of compliance, legal There’s a lot new in terms of changes and benefits.”
Dr. Jillian Yarbrough, clinical associate and professor of business administration, began studying human resources after graduating from TCU in 1997. She earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in educational human resource development from Texas A&M University.
“HR in 1997 was almost a completely different field than HR today,” Yarbrough said. “In a sense, we’re thinking global, we’re thinking technology-based, we’re thinking business partners. That’s what’s happening today. HR, that leadership and that ongoing understanding and alignment of people.”
Yarbrough said today’s HR leaders must identify, hire and retain employees, as well as develop, sustain and innovate their corporate workforce.
“A deep understanding of HR is now required. How we prepare strategic HR is critical to preparing a high level of understanding that can create competitive advantage within HR,” she said. “The next tool, a strategic human resource management degree, will prepare people to operate at a higher level as business partners.” As with both new degree programs, WT professors are in the lead in creating an approved curriculum Low-level, not just inherited classes. This resonated.
“I’m very proud. It’s inspiring,” Yarbrough said. “It took a lot of time and a lot of research to work with Dr. (Andrew) Lee and Dr. Chauhan. But it was also fun to work with people who put in a lot of hard work and innovative thinking because they care about their students.
“Having the opportunity to teach in a focused program directly related to a subject I love is extremely rewarding. But the most rewarding part is working with my colleagues to create something of value to West Texas A&M and its students .”
Shafer said an undergraduate degree in hospitality and tourism management is a pathway into the industry, and the numbers in Texas and the region support new majors in the field.
“The demand is there,” he said.
While the degree will be specifically focused on the tourism and hospitality industry, its foundation will be basic business principles.
“The program is designed in a way that students master all the content,” Schaefer said. “In the hotel industry, you still need a core business background in accounting and finance. You have to be able to read numbers for mid- to senior-level positions.
“It’s about understanding the ebb and flow of the market, basic supply and demand pricing, basic management and HR lessons. How do we hire people? How do we find the best talent for our organization? How do we deliver these things and provide a comprehensive Business background and additional courses in tourism?
“Students will have a variety of options — required courses, as well as some courses needed to tailor the job to suit the Panhandle and other locations.”
Editor’s note: This column originally appeared on the WT website.
Do you know of a student, faculty, program, alumni, or any other story idea for “WT: The Heart and Soul of the Texas Panhandle”? If so, please email Jon Mark Beilue at jbeilue@wtamu.edu.
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