REVITALIZING THE YORKTOWNE HOTEL | Partners In Project-Based Education
The Yorktowne Hotel: a cornerstone for hospitality in downtown York. Uniting architects, engineers, construction teams and hotel management professionals, the Yorktowne Hotel’s revitalization has influenced a cornerstone educational opportunity for a college community.
In partnership with the York County Industrial Development Authority (YCIDA) and GF Management, operator of the Yorktowne, York College is getting students involved in the Yorktowne’s revitalization. Last spring, three students from the College’s hospitality management program collaborated with hotel stakeholders on projects related to the hotel’s renovation. This fall, a new course will begin opening doors for more students to participate.
“What is particularly intriguing is that this course was planned collaboratively with our Graham Innovation Scholars and the hospitality management program, giving both groups the chance to work together toward project-based, hands-on learning. It is a key to the innovation we want to create for our curriculum,” says Dr. Dominic DelliCarpini, Dean of the Center for Community Engagement.
“I’ve experienced environments where institutions of higher learning are heavily engaged in their community … where both sides thrive and are enhanced by that engagement,” adds Jack Kay, chair of the YCIDA. “I respect the expertise of York College’s faculty and students. The Yorktowne Hotel offers a way for academics to confront and address real-world projects like this in the community.”
“One of the College’s hallmarks is connecting learning to the world. The Yorktowne Hotel has allowed students to learn from the diversity of professionals working on this project, and we believe there will be many ways for more students — business majors, historians, communications professionals and others — to get involved in this form of project-based learning,” says Dr. John Hughes, Dean – School of the Arts, Communication and Global Studies and Director of the Hospitality Management Program.
“I didn’t have the opportunity to be involved with a project at a ground-floor level like this in college,” says Andrew Taymans, vice president of asset management for GF Management. “York College’s students have brought a fresh perspective to us, and we look forward to continue working with its students.”
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What does project-based learning look like? Learn more about York College’s innovative approach to this form of education on the YRK Magazine blog (yrkmagazine.com).
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