Hospitality Day
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About The Event
On Wednesday March 4th, 2015, Lasell College will be holding its first annual Hospitality Day. This event is a full-day professional, educational and networking conference for students in the Hospitality Management, Event Management and Resort & Casino Management department. The purpose of the event is to connect these students with real world professionals and educate them on the multitude of branches in this industry. At Lasell College we have a philosophy of connected learning and strongly believe in providing opportunities to learn by experiencing the works of student’s prospective fields. This conference will provide just these types of opportunities by allowing students the chance to listen to and meet with successful executives in their industry, attend workshops where they can learn to be better prepared for their individual career paths, apply for outstanding internships and full-time positions, and even meet and network with other hospitality students from around New England. In the hospitality industry it is crucial to make professional connections. This event will give students the opportunity to take their education one step further by doing just that and learning first hand from Lasell HEM alumni and hospitality professionals about the branches of the industry that many are about to enter into. This is yet another opportunity for our students to take their future careers to the next level and be another step ahead of the game when they graduate!
Hospitality Day is about making a choice to do more- meet more- learn more- and be more. We want students to discover the endless opportunities that can come from the value of education and networking. This is an event planned by students for students. It is an opportunity to take one’s education and career one step further. We hope you will join us for a day full of professionals, alumni, education, networking, food and fun!
About The Planners
Deirdre Duddy-Kennedy- Lasell College Junior
Event Management Major- Communications & Entrepreneurship Minor
Deirdre is a determined, enthusiastic student who believes in connected learning and finds importance in not only classroom learning, but also in invaluable professional experience. She is a former student activities Event Manager and is the banquet supervisor at Brae Burn Country Club in Newton, where she runs various events that the club hosts by working with a team to plan and execute everything from set up to clean up. Her career goals after college include working with a wedding or special event planner. She has a desire to create something that Lasell students, such as herself, can take advantage of, and graduate with not only a degree but also an impressive resume.
Briana Penney- Lasell College Junior
Communications Major- Hospitality & Event Management Minor
Briana is an energetic, bubbly, motivated student who takes her studies and career path seriously by taking advantage of every opportunity around her. For the past two years, Briana has been the Lasell College Student Activities Event Manager where she organizes and oversees all events happening on campus. Her career goals after college include working with non profit promotions through public relations and events. She believes that with a little handwork and passion you can achieve anything!
About Lasell College Hospitality &
Event Management Program
At Lasell, it is our belief that the key to success in education is connected learning. Students gain valuable connected learning experience both on campus and off, through simulations, debates, theoretical applications, hands-on training, site visits, meetings with industry professionals and practicing the work of their fields by working with actual clients, planning professional events, getting industry certifications, and more.
A few examples of organizations that we have gotten the opportunity to visit and be involved with include the Boston Harbor Hotel, TD Garden, Rafanelli Events, Fenway Park, the Boston Public Library, Mohegan Sun, and the Taj Hotel. All of our students are required to complete field experiences and at least one full internship so they leave with a resume full of both academic accomplishments and real-world experience.
The Hospitality and Event Management program prepares Lasell College students to enter into one of the largest industries in the world, one that provides accommodations, entertainment, food and beverage, event services, tourism opportunities and more to people around the world.
Lasell’s Hospitality and Event Management program offers three distinct majors leading to a Bachelor of Science degree:
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Event Management (also offered as a minor)
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Hospitality Management
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Resort and Casino Management
Lasell College Hospitality Faculty
Lasell College Hospitality and Event Management faculty are all credentialed and come from strong backgrounds in the industry. They all believe in connected learning and pushing students to be as successful as they can while at Lasell and beyond, through critical thinking, reflection, networking, and on-site training.
Melissa A. Van Hyfte, Ph.D
Program Director
Assistant Professor
Dr. Melissa A. Van Hyfte is the Program Director for Hospitality and Event Management as well as an Assistant Professor. During her time at Lasell, Professor Van Hyfte has helped develop three new hospitality majors, a minor, and a Master’s degree concentration. In addition, she has created many strong industry partnerships for the benefit of the Hospitality and Event Management Program and its students. Professor Van Hyfte has developed several new courses including HEM 214 Ecotourism, which includes a week-long service learning expedition for students to such locations as Belize and the Amazon rainforest in Brazil. She also held the position of Faculty Connected Learning Organizer for four years in which time she assisted all Lasell faculty in course and project development related to Lasell’s Connected Learning philosophy and coordinated and executed the bi-annual Lasell College Connected Learning Symposium. Professor Van Hyfte has authored many academic publications in the hospitality industry and is constantly pursuing new and innovative ways for her and her faculty to become more active and educated in the field in which they teach.
Dina Tanvuia, M.S.
Assistant Professor
Professor Dina Tanvuia joined the Hospitality and Event Management department at Lasell College in 2013. She teaches a number of courses related to the growing industry, many of which focus on resort and casino management and food and beverage operations. Prior to coming to Lasell, Dina taught at Southern New Hampshire University where she developed syllabi and comprehensive course plans for hospitality classes. Prior to teaching at SNU, she worked at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas as the Assistant Director of Beverage. She also organized field trips to destinations like Las Vegas and Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut to increase student's exposure to the exciting world of hospitality, introduce them to executives in the resort and casino industry, and expose them to innovative operational practices.
Ellen M. LaBelle, M.Ed.
Assistant Professor
Professor LaBelle’s extensive business experience includes owning and operating ventures in early childhood education, travel, and tourism. Prior to coming to Lasell, LaBelle taught Hospitality and Tourism courses at Bay State College and Stonehill College in Easton, MA. She has been a beacon and a pioneer of the Lasell hospitality program for over 25 years.
