  Hospitality Professionals, North Miami Students NORTH MIAMI, Fla. — May 11, 2007 — Students and professionals came together earlier this month to take an in-depth look at the role of diversity in today's workplace.
"Our students learn about diversity in the classroom, but this special event offered them the opportunity to open a serious dialogue with industry experts," said Larry Rice, dean of academic affairs at the North Miami Campus. "From everyday tasks to major management decisions, working with culturally different people plays a critical role for professionals working in today's diverse marketplace." The theme of the event, "Transforming Minds," was demonstrated through a variety of methods including roundtable discussions, question and answer sessions and workshops. Topics and instructors included: "Diversity is not just the right thing for businesses to do, it's essential," said Vincent Berkeley, chief diversity officer for Compass Group. "If you can't relate to your diverse clients, you can't meet their needs." Berkeley, who spoke to students about the role that diversity has played in his more than 30 years in the hospitality industry, recommended that companies approach diversity by identifying a way to recruit a diverse workforce of entry-level employees, developing programs to target diverse associates and creating training for those already in the company. The symposium also included entertainment from dancers and musicians, who performed during an internationally themed luncheon. "It was eye opening to see how diversity works in different workplace settings," said Jeffrey Saylor, a junior hospitality management major who attended the event. "I also appreciated the speakers' ability to relate to young adults and the contemporary issues we face as young hospitality professionals." J&W’s North Miami Campus boasts a diverse student body of 2,215 business, culinary arts and hospitality students from 50 countries and 42 states (based on the fall 2006 enrollment). The student body is 24 percent Hispanic, 34 percent black and 32 percent white. Johnson & Wales University, founded in 1914, is a nonprofit, private institution. A recognized leader in career education, we offer accredited degrees in business, hospitality, culinary arts, technology and education. With a diverse student body of more than 16,000 graduate and undergraduate students, representing all 50 states and 89 countries, JWU prepares students for personal and professional success by integrating rigorous academics and professional skills, community leadership opportunities and our unique career education model. The university is committed to urban revitalization and thoughtful historic renovation. Through active civic participation and by offering unique learning opportunities, JWU improves the quality of life in its campus communities in Providence, R.I., North Miami, Fla., Denver, Colo., and Charlotte, N.C. For more information visit www.jwu.edu.
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More than 100 business, culinary arts and hospitality students from Johnson & Wales University's North Miami Campus attended the first annual Hospitality Diversity Symposium, held Thursday, May 3, at the Carnival Center for the Performing Arts. The event, which was sponsored by Compass Group, was the first of its kind for J&W.