From BGSU OFFICE OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Bowling Green State University and Cedar Fair Entertainment Company officially broke ground on a new, 78,030-square-foot facility in downtown Sandusky that will become home to the University’s new resort and attraction management (RAAM) program beginning in fall 2020.
The new BGSU degree program, preparing students for a multibillion-dollar industry sector in which Cedar Fair is widely recognized as a leader, will be taught and led by BGSU faculty. The final two years of classes will be taught at the multipurpose facility developed by Cedar Fair. It will house classrooms, common spaces and apartment-style housing for students.
The facility is expected to generate approximately $12.3 million in construction and operation revenue to Sandusky and the region over the next six years. The project will also add about 55 construction jobs and 10-12 full-time positions.
Coursework will focus in several areas including: revenue management, supply chain management, managing public safety and operations planning. There will be required co-ops at Cedar Fair’s 11 parks across North America.
“We are excited to partner with Cedar Fair on this new program and facility. This innovative partnership will benefit the University, Cedar Fair and the community through developing an educational program that will provide graduates with opportunities in the resort and attraction management industry,” said BGSU President Rodney Rogers. “As a public university, we are always looking at how best to serve our communities and be responsive to meeting the needs and desires of those communities. Our partnership with Ohio-based Cedar Fair allows us to do just that in setting students up for success beyond graduation.”
“Our partnership with BGSU and its commitment and support have been instrumental in the development of a resort and attraction management school,” said Duff Milkie, Cedar Fair’s executive vice president and general counsel. “The internships that will be provided by Cedar Point will be a key additional element in the program and will facilitate the development of well-rounded, career-ready graduates. The downtown Sandusky location will also serve as a catalyst to the continued growth of the tourism economy in the region.”
While other universities offer programs in tourism management, the BGSU RAAM program will be unique. “It is a hybrid model that provides the first program to specifically address the unique needs surrounding amusement parks and similar destinations.”
The degree program has received approval from both the BGSU Board of Trustees and the Ohio Department of Higher Education. The University anticipates about 200 students will eventually enroll in the program.
