Organizing a broad area of study, such as business, to cover several career paths is no easy feat. As incoming students approach life at a university-level, they often find the process of choosing what degree they want to pursue for the next several years of their lives difficult. In some cases, there may not even be an option that truly connects with their passions. However, the Monfort College of Business has set the new standard for student support with the launching of the new Hospitality and Event Management program.
Officially launched during the Fall 2025 semester, the Monfort College of Business is now offering students the chance to pursue a bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Event Management. This course strives to prepare students for their post-graduation careers by offering an experience unique to the students’ interests that was previously unavailable.
While the chance to earn a degree in HEM at MCB is a fairly new development, programs such as recreation, tourism and hospitality have been available to students for quite some time. The decision to transition this program into the new HEM program came from the observation of the role business plays. In reality, the intersection between business and the aforementioned hospitality and event management is quite significant. In order to give students an edge in the ever growing and competitive job market, the decision to launch a specialized program in the MCB seemed like an easy decision.
“I think our job is to try and predict a little bit of where the markets are going and what students want,” adjunct professor Julie Kennedy said. “I think the broader goal is… setting them up with a skill set that’s actually tangible to go into the workforce.”
Kennedy taught in the Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality program and has been present to oversee and help manage this transition into a new era of opportunity. With a background of two decades in event management, Kennedy has volunteered with companies such as the American Cancer Society and several others to ensure smooth execution and planning. For her, this program at the MCB is a dream come true.
The HEM program looks to home in on the business side and provide students with the real-world life skills that are crucial as a business graduate. In comparison to other programs in the state, most are unsupported by a business acumen. Outcomes include but are not limited to: human resources, digital and social media marketing, customer satisfaction and interaction, as well as understanding the open job market. With a specialized focus on an ever-growing field, the idea is to continue the goal of keeping UNC a student first university. By turning students into strong leaders and entrepreneurs, this allows them to walk into the job market with a head start that ensures a smooth transition.
Although there have absolutely been some nerves struck in the transition from RTH to HEM this semester, Kennedy says seeing the passion from students is where the excitement can really begin.
“It’s also so much excitement, especially because students that, you know, sign up for this program are truly interested in learning more about it,” Kennedy said. “The biggest part is just growing a program. There’s always going to be challenges of getting the word out there.”
Students at the MCB have kept busy promoting the new program, starting as far back as April at UNC’s BearFest. More recently, during last summer, students established a HEM club, which is already looking to plan events. This expansion of culture not only showcases the student’s dedication to their passion but also a reflection of UNC’s thriving culture. The HEM program continues to also stay active on the Instagram page of the MCB. Students interested in updates on the program can consult the official website.
The fall semester has only just begun, but the excitement from the student population for the new program can already be felt. With such a passionate foundation of students and instructors, the sky seems to be the limit as to where the program can go.
“The next big step is to make sure the program is solid,” Kennedy said. “To them, it’s more than just a career, this is a passion.”
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