Hilton College-Wide Writing Program
The Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management and the Writing Center have developed a three-stage college-wide writing program designed to ensure that graduates of the College have the tools to meet the communication challenges they will face in the sophisticated international hospitality industry. The first stage is an HRMA-specific English 1304 (First Year Writing II) course, combining the curricular goals of analytical reading and persuasive writing with hospitality-industry issues and sources. The second stage is a Mid-Career Writing Assessment that evaluates student writing ability as they progress from sophomore to junior standing and identifies students in need of writing support. Those students participate in a series of writing tutorials to assist them in the completion of an industry-specific writing portfolio appropriate to their intended major. The third stage involves a Capstone Writing Assessment, evaluating student writing during their penultimate semester, either assuring the students’ basic competence or identifying them for additional assistance.
HRMA 4353: Supervision & Leadership in the Hospitality Industry
As a part of the Hilton College Writing Program, this course partnership provides an assessment of the college's senior level writing skills, as well as providing assistance to those students who need to bring their writing skills up to par before graduating. The course is serving as the pilot course for the iWebfolio electronic portfolio system, which allows the University to collect selected samples of student work in order to assess how well the College is meeting its learning outcomes. Initial student writing samples from the class are assessed by Writing Center personnel, and based on the results of the assessment students may be recommended to join a studio group. Studio groups are composed of small teams of students who meet weekly to collaborate on the writing assigned in the course. Facilitated by Writing Center staff, the studios help group members actively engage in the entire writing process and develop collaboration skills essential to their success in the professional world.