SHL students earn Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics

Cara Gordon

Hospitality Financial Management seniors earned a 100% pass rate for the Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA). Additionally, Master of Science in Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality graduate students also took advantage of the opportunity to earn the certification and passed the CHIA exam. A total of twenty-five students earned the certification.

The SHL seniors included Jessica Benson, Lauren Berry, Anthony Camarda, Maddie Canada, Shelby Feder, Anna Ferguson, Anthony Frie, Mackenzie Gibson, Danielle Jones, Elizabeth Jordan, Cheyenne Kober, Max Lown (pictured), Joanna Marshburn, Carter Metzler,  Sarah Morris, Jack Moye, Courtney Muller, Matt Muse, Jacqueline Ocegueda, Sara Overton, Codi Post, and Courtney Wyatt.

Graduate students included Paulisha Brown, Leigh Comis and Cara Gordon (pictured).

Hotel analytics have become an increasingly important skill for such professionals as revenue managers, general managers, corporate staff and research professionals. The Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) is the only hotel-related certification that recognizes the skill and knowledge that these professionals have and is offered in partnership with STR, the global source for benchmarking and forecasting data. This globally recognized professional credential validates your advanced knowledge in hotel industry analytics including foundational metrics, definitions, formulas and methodologies.

Max Lown

Additionally, a shout out to the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Foundation, who supported this effort for SHL students through an NCRLA Foundation $1.1 million dollar grant with the NC Department of Commerce for hospitality workforce training. The grant provides training courses, educational resources and certifications to help attract and retain the talent needed for the NC restaurant,  lodging and other hospitality related businesses. NCRLA Foundation director, Kecia Poling, shared the opportunity at the SHL Career Pathways Student Conference in February. The SHL application was approved by the NCRLA Foundation, and the certification fees were paid by the grant. 

Says Dr. Bob O’Halloran, director, of the School of Hospitality Leadership, “A big thank you to NCRLA for supporting the next generation of hospitality and tourism leadership.”