See Rock City Inc. is excited to continue its educational partnership with The Howard School. On Aug. 2, SRC Inc. President and CEO Doug Chapin announced plans to invest another $250,000 to the See Rock City Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Management, a Future Ready Institute at the high school. The investment expands on Rock City’s partnership with Howard over the next five years, providing students the opportunity to explore careers in hospitality and tourism.
“I am so thrilled to announce that we have extended our partnership with The Howard School again,” Chapin said. “Over the past five years we developed a great relationship with Howard through our FRI, and our continued commitment to that institution, its students and faculty is extremely important to us. We look forward to seeing what is next for the partnership as we look to expand on the work that their team and ours have started through the hospitality and tourism management institute and creating more memories worth repeating for students, faculty and our partners.”
Founded in 2019, See Rock City’s FRI provides pathways in both culinary arts and hospitality and tourism management. Rock City most recently celebrated the completion of a new commercial-grade kitchen at The Howard School this spring. Students have been eager to share their culinary creations. This May, the Howard kitchen partnered with Clumpies Ice Cream to create a new summertime flavor for the SRC Inc. brand. Students split into teams to brainstorm their own treats, of which Arroz Leche was ultimately chosen.
The See Rock City Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Management at The Howard School is one of 28 FRIs offered at Hamilton County Schools. Through local community and business partnerships, FRIs provide workplace learning opportunities for students interested in specific career paths and better equipping students for college and the job market, ultimately creating a talent pipeline for participating industries. FRIs prepare students for real-world challenges and offer invaluable skills for success, including technical and soft skills. Integrated instruction allows for learning to take place both inside and outside the classroom via job shadowing, internships, industry tours and externships for FRI teachers.
SRC Inc. strives to impress upon its partners the importance of learning, education, innovation and individual development. SRC owns and operates Rock City Gardens, Battles for Chattanooga museum, Clumpies Ice Cream Co., GOOD DOG GO!, Grandview, RiverView Inn, Chanticleer Inn and Starbucks; as well as the ticketing and concessions for the Incline Railway and The Charles H. Coolidge National Medal of Honor Heritage Center, and the retail shop and café at Creative Discovery Museum. Visit www.seerockcity.com/for more info.
