As Mississippi’s tourism industry grows, one of the state’s universities is looking to give its students a competitive advantage in the hospitality workforce.
Beginning this upcoming fall semester, the University of Southern Mississippi will launch the Hospitality Passport program, an initiative designed to have students receive hands-on training and preparation in tourism-related fields before they turn the tassel.
Rather than persuading students to pursue professional credentials outside of the classroom, the program integrates preparation for these distinctions within undergraduate coursework. The approach ensures students graduate with verified skills that employers usually expect from new professionals entering hospitality fields.
Through the program, students will have the opportunity to develop professional competencies across five major sectors: casino and hotel management, food and beverage operations, event and entertainment management, travel and destination management, service, technology, and leadership in hospitality.
Within each area, students prepare for and complete industry-recognized credentials such as ServSafe Food Protection Manager, Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics, Cvent Event Management Certification, and Guest Service Gold Tourism certification, all of which reflect real-world skills valued by employers across the hospitality sector.
Dr. Wei Wang, associate professor, and Wendi McLain, instructor, designed the Hospitality Passport program based on employer feedback to reflect the evolving needs of the industry.
“The Hospitality Passport Program introduces a novel approach that integrates industry credentials, emerging technologies, and applied operational and management training directly into the curriculum,” Dr. Wang said. “This model redefines how hospitality education develops talent, equipping graduates to advance the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s hospitality sector and broader blue economy while strengthening workforce readiness across the state. Our faculty drives this transformation by connecting education, industry, and economic impact.”
According to the most recent tourism report from Visit Mississippi, the Magnolia State welcomed 44.2 million visitors in 2024. Those visitors generated an estimated $18.1 billion contribution to the state’s economy, with a significant portion of that activity centered along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
Southern Miss, with campuses in Hattiesburg and Long Beach, believes it’s adequately located near tourism hot spots to give students direct access to hotels, casinos, event venues, and other destinations. This proximity is expected to enable students to regularly engage with industry partners in the area through internships and experiential learning opportunities — all while completing their undergraduate degrees.