The hospitality management program (HM) offers contemporary, multi-disciplined, and specialized courses of study, utilizing the unique learning laboratory environment of The Keeter Center. The Keeter Center features fine dining, catering and banquet services, upscale lodging, and state-of-the-art conference facilities.
Students can choose from a Hospitality Management course of study or Meeting & Special Event Management.
A major in Culinary Arts is also offered for those interested in careers in fine cooking and kitchen management.
The hospitality management degree program integrates the five fundamental goals of the College into its curriculum and activities. We strive to develop hospitality professionals who are self-directed, ethical, and guest-focused, and who demonstrate competence in stewardship and creativity.
The HM program is the regional center for best practices in hospitality management, marketing, operations, workplace and food service safety, and culinary excellence.
Title: Associate Professor of Hospitality Management and The Wanda Cain Chair of Hotel and Restaurant Management
Email: mkoogler@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: Hotel Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts
Education: B.B.A., University of New Mexico, 1985; C.P.A., State of Arizona, 1989; M.B.A., Northern Arizona University, 1990; CHE (Certified Hospitality Educator), 2015; Ed.D., University of Missouri, 2020
Dr. Lamae Koogler brings over 30 years of accounting practice and hospitality industry experience to College of the Ozarks. She earned her BBA in Accounting from the University of New Mexico, an MBA from Northern Arizona University, and practiced in both New Mexico and Arizona before serving as an Assistant Professor at Northern Arizona University for three years. After gaining experience in theme park management, lodging management, and corporate training, she owned and operated restaurants in Texas for 15 years. Most recently, she earned her doctorate degree from the University of Missouri in Educational Leadership. In 2014, Lamae started her service with the College in the hospitality/event management and culinary arts department.
Title: Assistant Professor of Hospitality Management and the Walter L. Green Chair of Hotel and Restaurant Management
Email: rstricklin@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: Culinary Arts
Education: A.S., Lansing Community College, 1980; Edward Notter School of Sugar, 1985; ACF Certified Executive Chef, 1997
Chef Robert Stricklin brings a wealth of experience and culinary excellence to College of the Ozarks. In 1981, he received his associates degree in business from Lansing Community College and entered the American Culinary Federation (ACF) Chef Apprenticeship program thereafter. From 1984 to 1985, he completed an internship at the Grand Hotel du Park, Villars, Switzerland. Throughout his career, Chef Stricklin received specialized culinary training from a variety of notable institutions including, the Notter School of Confection in Zurich, Switzerland, the Carpigiani Gelato University, the Shanghai Cooking School in Shanghai, China, the Ngon Cooking School in Hanoi, Vietnam, and the Barry Calleaut Chocolate Academy. Chef Stricklin is an ACF Certified Executive Chef and a member of the prestigious American Academy of Chefs. He currently serves as the Executive Chef for the Keeter Center at College of the Ozarks and assistant professor of culinary arts.