Hospitality Educator Combines Practical and Theoretical Knowledge to Prepare Tomorrow’s Leaders

Karen Goodlad, CSW, is an Associate Professor at the City University of New York’s “New York City College of Technology”, where she was recently designated Interim Chair of the Department of Hospitality Management. She specializes in beverage management and offers a variety of courses that prepare students to be leaders in the hospitality sector. Before teaching, she worked in the hotel industry and completed an internship with the Walt Disney Company.

She moderated the inaugural wine trends conference, The Next Big Sip, as a proud and active member of Les Dames d’Escoffier New York.

Total Food Service awarded her a Top Woman in Metro New York Foodservice & Hospitality in 2019 and 2020.

“People often told me that I would be a good teacher, so when an industry friend presented the opportunity to teach at City Tech, I was intrigued, I thought, yes, I can do that. Then my first day in the classroom sealed the deal. The students were eager to gain knowledge, eager to be part of something bigger than themselves. They gave me their energy and I returned it, creating many moments of deep learning both in lab situations and in lectures” she stated.

According to the syllabus in City Tech, students can acquire an associate’s degree in applied science and a bachelor’s degree in technology with specializations in food and beverage, culinary or pastry arts, tourism, and hotel operations. The Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration has globally accredited the BTech degree in Hospitality Management (ACPHA).

Even though they are continually evaluating and shifting needs, they are set to embark on a far larger transition. This endeavor will reflect the ever-changing needs of the hospitality profession, resulting in more purposeful relationships between students and industry leaders.

“With our partners and advisory board, I believe we are in a good place to continue to serve the needs of the hospitality industry as we have for over 70 years, graduating students who can identify and demonstrate skills relevant to the operational areas of hospitality management while also exhibiting the analytical and social skills essential for success in the global workplace,” said Karen.

City Tech also offers three courses. The Art of Vegetarian Cuisine, Sustainable Food Systems, and Food Service Nutrition They used to grow a plot at Brooklyn Grange, but now that they have a hydroponic garden that frequently supplies lettuces and herbs for culinary experiments.

They also serve the Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Two optional courses are built into their curriculum, focusing on the ingredients and techniques of various regional cuisines while also considering diversity and representation in the food sector. International Cuisine and International Desserts are namely the courses.

City Tech graduates students with a technical degree that is liberal arts-based, introducing them to the fundamentals and rewarding them as they develop, enhance, and innovate. Students contribute in the workplace based on their classroom experience, but they need a way to demonstrate their knowledge and abilities, as well as convey their beliefs, as they continue to study.

City Tech also offers organized internship programs that involve a rotation through multiple jobs, growth and leadership opportunities and insight into all concepts of the industry.

Students benefit from in-person learning when it comes to applied skills such as filleting a fish, piping rosettes, assessing wine, and more. However, in-person learning has a much greater impact on student retention and persistence. However, while discussing pandemic developments, she emphasized the need of preparing graduates to thrive in the virtual setting as well.

Financial scholarships and networking opportunities are available to students through organizations such as Les Dames d’Escoffier NY (LDNY), The Partridge Foundation, The Food and Beverage Association, and NYC & Company. These scholarship programs are purposefully created to solve both financial and connectivity difficulties, as well as others. Together with the cash reward, the LDNY formal mentorship program has an exponential impact.