Program Overview

Introduction to the Restaurant, Hotel, & Institutional Management Program

The Restaurant, Hotel, & Institutional Management (RHIM) program at Texas Tech University is one of the top hospitality management programs in the United States. It provides students with the edge they need to succeed in the hospitality industry, traditionally one of Costa Rica's largest economic markets. The program is designed to give students both strong management skills and practical work experience, focusing on food production, business management, hotel operations, wine and spirits, travel and tourism, and more.

Program Highlights

• Participate in a nationally recognized program, from which graduates are consistently recruited by major employers from across the globe.
• Gain at least 1,000 hours of practical workplace experience, including a 400-hour internship and countless hours in state-of-the-art labs and facilities.
• Get equipped with a competitive business education, focusing on marketing, accounting, management, and law.

A Nationally Ranked Program with a Focus on Business

Combining practical, hands-on training in the field and a competitive education in business management, the program equips graduates to be industry-leading professionals across the globe. The program's first-class facilities, internationally recognized faculty, emphasis on marketability, and unique opportunities for travel and networking make it one of the best in the country.

Career Possibilities

Hospitality is not only a cornerstone of Costa Rica's economy; it is also one of the fastest-growing fields in the world. Gaining the skills taught by the RHIM program will prepare students for countless opportunities in this industry. Some potential career paths include:

• Operations Manager: Oversee multiple locations of a hospitality establishment and manage its day-to-day operations.
• Public Relations Manager: Help the organization grow by increasing customer engagement, using social media, surveys, discounts, awards, and innovative strategies.
• Executive Chef: Use creativity in the kitchen to develop menus while managing a kitchen staff focused on food preparation and execution.
• Hotel Business Manager: Evaluate a hotel's performance across a range of variables and pursue growth strategies for the future.

Faculty Spotlight: Gonzalo Alfaro

Gonzalo Alfaro is passionate about the hospitality industry because it has given him many opportunities. He notes that the industry is always changing, offering vast opportunities to travel and work with people from all over the world. Alfaro's professional experience makes a difference for his students, as he incorporates everything he has learned into his classes. He especially enjoys teaching classes in the state-of-the-art kitchen lab, finding them more interactive and allowing students to feel proud of what they produce. The program overall is very hands-on, which Alfaro believes is beneficial for students.