UNLV sister school celebrates five years

August 30, 2010 by Kendle Walters 

Former hotel college program thriving, providing supplement for hospitality students

The International School of Hospitality celebrates its fifth birthday this month.

The school started at UNLV in 2005, when TISOH director Timothy Lam and UNLV professor Ellis Norman founded it with hopes of offering short-term education for students interested in the hospitality business.

The school has since moved from the UNLV campus to a new location on Sunset Road, where it has been for three years.

TISOH delivers condensed, continuing education classes for students who want to accelerate their careers in the hospitality industry.

Programs at TISOH include wedding coordination, concierge and event planning.

The school offers nine different certificate programs as well as the option to earn an executive degree.

Lam explained that it takes four certificate programs to earn an executive diploma.

“Many of our students just need one certificate,” Lam said.

But for students wanting to further their credentials, there are always opportunities for further learning.

Most of TISOH’s courses begin in January, May and February. They last 45 to 90 hours. Classes are taught by industry professionals, so students are ensured emphasis on practical, hands-on learning.

The school also offers online courses.

“We have very specialized and unique programs geared toward people who are not ready for a degree,” Lam said.

However, if one of TISOH’s students is eager to also earn a degree, Lam will be the first to recommend UNLV.

“If anything, we send kids to UNLV,” he said. “As a proud [alumnus], I would push them along to UNLV. We do send them that way if they are wanting a bachelor’s degree.”

Lam said that TISOH also serves as a kind of add-on to UNLV’s hospitality program.

But compared to a traditional college education, the school is less expensive and more time-efficient.

A typical certificate program runs anywhere from $1650-$3000.

Students enrolled at UNLV often supplement their traditional education with the short-term, specialty courses available at TISOH.

Former UNLV graduate Lori Whitelaw decided to take advantage of what UNLV and TISOH had to offer and she said she couldn’t be happier.

“My UNLV schooling was great because it taught me how to run a business,” Whitelaw said.

She said she believes that TISOH was a great addition to her UNLV education.

“I’m able to pull my UNLV and TISOH schooling together, and they are a great complement to each other,” she said.

Whitelaw now works as a wedding planner and credits her success to the union of the traditional education she received at UNLV and the practical, real-world experience she got from TISOH.

Whitelaw graduated with a bachelor’s in hospitality and management in December 2009 from UNLV. Lam earned a Master of Science in hotel administration from UNLV in 2004.

TISOH has grown since its inception, with the help of industry partners such as the Southern Nevada Hotel Concierge Association, the National Association of Catering Executives, Les Clefs d’Or USA and the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute.

TISOH plans to celebrate the anniversary with several career nights throughout the year. The first event is to be held on Sept. 1 from 6-8 p.m. on the school campus.