Stuart Mann may be stepping down as dean of the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration at the end of June, but he will not be stepping away from the college or projects that have been his focus for the past 11 years. There is simply too much left to do, says Mann, 71. Beginning this fall, he plans to teach a strategic management course, collaborate with the next dean on international program development, and oversee the build-out of the hospitality campus and the Innovation UNLV concept. In addition, he plans to bring research projects to life through time spent with faculty and graduate students.
However, Mann says he will finally take some time to unwind. He looks forward to playing golf and splitting time between his countryside Pennsylvania home and Las Vegas, where he enjoys one of his favorite pastimes - dining out.
Mann shares his perspective on college accomplishments during his tenure and where he sees the college going. He also has some advice for students, graduates, and the next dean.
What will you miss about being dean?
I will miss the creative part of this job. What I've enjoyed most is putting people and resources together in order to foster academic programs.
What do you consider the highlight of your career as dean?
The Singapore campus, the first international UNLV campus, is clearly the highlight. The Singapore government recently announced it would provide scholarships to students who want to attend universities overseas. The Harrah Hotel College at UNLV was one of the five programs chosen, which clearly speaks to the reputation of UNLV and the hotel college locally and abroad as well as the role of the hotel college in advocating a global tourism education.
In addition, outstanding new faculty were recruited and hired to improve the research profile of the college, bringing it in alignment with the research ambitions of the university.
The hotel college was the recipient of extraordinary gifts, including a $30 million gift from Harrah's and a $1.2 million endowment gift from Bob Boughner to name and support the career services center.
Another hotel college accomplishment was the establishment of the professional golf management program and its designation as one of only 20 accredited programs in the U.S. by the Professional Golfers' Association.
You played an instrumental role in conceptualizing Innovation UNLV, designated for education and research. Describe your vision behind the plan and where it stands now.
We have planned for what I call a "campus within a campus." This is a special place on the UNLV campus for hospitality services, education, and research. A conference center and hotel will provide UNLV with a place to entertain guests and conduct meetings for a variety of academic reasons. A new academic building equipped with much-needed lab space will provide faculty and students the learning and research facilities we have needed for a long while, having outgrown our existing Beam Hall.
Harrah's Entertainment has committed to helping provide the funds for an academic building currently in architectural development. The university administration will advocate for matching state funds at the next legislative session. As funds become available, construction will begin. We hope to have faculty and students in a new facility in less than four years.
How has an international campus contributed to the hotel college's reputation?
The hotel college is recognized internationally as a premier program. Singapore, in its strategic plan, recognizes international education as one way to drive its economy. It is inviting the best programs from around the word to deliver their degree programs in
Singapore and is offering scholarships for its citizens to attend one of five non-Singaporean universities. We are very pleased to have been chosen as one of those five.
UNLV has received Board of Regents approval to build a campus within the United Arab Emirates. Why is it important for UNLV and the hotel college to expand educational opportunities abroad?
Currently, the hotel college has a student body representing 40 countries here at our Las Vegas campus, and 10 to 15 countries are represented at the Singapore campus. Those numbers tell us of the appeal for hospitality management education overseas and why students need to understand how hospitality works globally.
The overall vision is to have a network of international campuses for students to move seamlessly from campus to campus. Students can take the identical program offered in Singapore at roughly the same cost as an out-of-state student who pays for the program here. The same requirements for entry and graduation apply. It is the identical program taught by UNLV faculty members. Students who have an understanding of multiple cultures, countries, and global tourism will develop a very good background to work anywhere in the world, for any company, at any level.
What advice do you give students entering hospitality careers?
I tell students what I hear from executives in the industry: They want someone who has a passion for the business. The ideal employee is someone who wakes up in the morning and cannot wait to get to work to interact with guests and their fellow employees. The executives look for employees who hate to go home at night because they love what they do.
Students must have the ability to be both a team member and a team leader. They must have both written and verbal communication skills and have an understanding of accounting and financial management. Students must have a positive, "up" personality. I also recommend that students understand and interact with multiple cultures.
What is your advice to graduates of the hotel college starting out in their careers?
Being passionate about this field will help graduates get through the difficult job requirements - like working when other people are having a good time and working longer than others work in nonhospitality jobs. Las Vegas has always been one of the primary vacation spots in the world. Visitors want to come here for entertainment, shopping, and recreational activities. Las Vegas will recover. Hospitality and tourism is one of the best economic sectors. I advise graduates to get in the field at any level. They will work their way up easily because they have been well educated.
What tips do you have for the next dean?
The dean's job is to create a working environment where everyone can easily achieve his or her goals. It is critical to understand that everyone can contribute and that everyone at every level of the organization has good ideas. Learn from the past, but forge new paths to new destinations. Develop a vision. Be a good citizen of the university, be willing to compromise and collaborate with other deans, and recognize the needs of all campus groups. The new dean should take advantage of being in the Mecca of hospitality. Las Vegas and the hospitality industry are very supportive of this college and its dean.
