NEW ORLEANS – The groundbreaking of the $32 million New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (NOCHI) on Jan. 15 downtown was the first of its kind in New Orleans.
The center will mark another first when it opens in January 2019: It will the first time students will be offered a non-degree educational program from Tulane University’s A. B. Freeman School of Business.
Ira Solomon, dean of the Freeman School of Business, explained to Biz New Orleans what classes in hospitality entrepreneurship will entail.
“We’re taking the notion of hospitality into the traditional setting, but also into the non-traditional settings – everything from healthcare venues to retail,” Solomon said. “You don’t often think about it, but how is retail going to survive the onslaught of internet shopping? By providing superior customer experience.”
“We intend for classes to be for managers and professional executives from all over the country, and all over world, who come here to take courses in continuing education,” Solomon told Biz New Orleans at the groundbreaking.
Tulane University has announced plans to launch a hospitality entrepreneurship program, and will have dedicated classrooms in roughly a quarter of NOCHI’s five-story, 93,000 square-foot building in the Central Business District.
The Freeman School plans to use the downtown facility to also offer executive and part-time MBA programs.
The space will feature four classrooms accommodating up to 240 students,19 faculty and staff offices, two conference rooms,18 breakout spaces, a student/faculty lounge, administrative support and reception areas.
Solomon said innovative classes at the center will dive into “the heart of hospitality.”
“We’re broadening it out, and we want to nurture the entrepreneurial spirit and beyond,” Solomon said.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Michael Fitts, president of Tulane University, credited Solomon for spearheading Tulane’s involvement with NOCHI.
“The people involved in the executive education program will help educate the next generation of Brennans who will be leaders in the city,” Fitts said.
-By Jenny Peterson, Associate News Editor, Biz New Orleans
