Department of Hospitality and Tourism
Business School
Welcome to our Department of Hospitality and Tourism
Thank you for taking the time to check out what we offer at University College Birmingham, the highest-ranking university in the region as voted by students at the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards. Our student support is the best in the region too, according to students, as is our provision for international students and postgraduates.
If you are looking at joining us to carve out a career in hospitality, tourism, events or aviation, here is a glimpse into our student and staff community - with insight into the placements and enrichment we offer - to see if we are the right choice for you.
Associate Professor Kathryn Hayat
Head of Hospitality and Tourism
Welcome from Kathryn
If you are considering joining us, that's great news. Hospitality, tourism, aviation and events are all really exciting industries and demand for skilled managers and leaders in these areas has never been so great. There's so much to look forward to on our courses with exciting industry visits, live projects and placements in fantastic locations in the UK and overseas, along with award-winning support.
Our lecturers are all industry experts and bring the classroom to life with their experiences and excellent industry links. Our graduates include head sommeliers, hotel and airport managers, stadium conference managers, financial controllers and small business entrepreneurs, and have worked for companies including Visit Britain, British Airways, Hotel du Vin, The Ritz, Virgin and more. Many have become regional and managing directors – the opportunities are endless.
*Kathryn worked in the tourism and aviation sectors in a range of roles, including product management, digital and social media marketing and B2B/trade relations, before starting her career in education.
“This really is a university where you will not only receive a high quality teaching and learning experience, but award-winning support at the very highest level. We pride ourselves on our industry connections to give you the best opportunities to gain the graduate advantage."
What’s happening
Business School hosts prestigious national tourism convention
Leading figures from across the fields of tourism and destination management came together as University hosts TMI convention.
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Students lead innovative new tourism strategy
Students were presented with the opportunity showcase their real-world work to a host of industry experts.
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Tourism students set to shine as university hosts national convention
University College Birmingham is excited to announce it will host the annual convention of the TMI.
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Invictus Games inspire at tourism and events conference
The new academic year got off to a flying start as the Business School hosted its third annual Inspire Conference.
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Flying high: meet the Aviation graduate facilitating private flights for the stars
Roland got his career off to a flying start at University College Birmingham. Now, he is an operations contr…
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Graduate Daniel celebrated in top 30 under 30 rising stars in British hospitality
Hospitality graduate Daniel Bennett has been recognised as one of 30 of the industry’s top rising stars unde…
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Travel conference flies high with esteemed speaker Simon Calder
The ninth annual ITT Future You conference was packed with enthusiastic students, all keen to take in knowledge and insights fr…
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Student research highlights challenges of sustainable business travel
Three postgraduate students worked on the six-month market-leading research initiative with arrangeMY, exploring the chal…
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International Women's Day spotlight – Charlie Hobbis
Events Management alumni Charlie Hobbis talks us through her journey as a female entrepreneur, and turning a home interior and lifestyle p…
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Commonwealth Games creative agency supports students' industry projects
Undergraduates from across the Business School had a full day of riveting guest talks and workshops with the creative m…
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Tech Week talk explores harnessing AI in tourism
As part of Birmingham Tech Week, Debby McAllister, Lecturer in Tourism and Aviation at University College Birmingham, discussed the generative…
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Leads on global convention centre expansions steer postgraduate research
Postgraduates working towards a career in global meetings and tourism, hospitality, events and aviation had the chan…
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Tia tipped to become "tomorrow's travel leader" after making 30 Under 30
A graduate who is soaring in an incredible career with a global attractions company on the back of her university inte…
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Students put live event creation skills to test with series of charity fundraisers
Students on a range of degrees within the University’s hospitality and tourism department created a super se…
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Students learn from top businesswoman from Middle East’s biggest convention centre
Dozens of students on University College Birmingham’s hospitality and tourism-focused master’s degrees have…
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Partnership with Merlin Entertainments promises diversity boost for tourism industry
A new partnership which promises to provide a major boost for inclusion and diversity in the travel and to…
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Flying high! Aviation and tourism students see careers take off with Ryanair
College students training to become cabin crew or make their mark in tourism have reached for the sky and landed d…
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James’ booming business ranked among Britain’s fastest-growing firms
Business keeps on booming for a University College Birmingham graduate whose firm has been ranked as one of the fastest-gr…
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Business soaring for Shehryar selling luxury holidays to star clients
Business has really taken off for an aviation graduate from University College Birmingham after netting a record commissi…
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Visits from the experts
Our travel and tourism students buckled up for an informative talk from the Head of Talent at Ryanair, Mark Duffy. Mark's talk provided an insight into graduate outcomes and what would be expected from students when looking to develop their careers in the industry. Scroll for more >>>
Visits from the experts (cont'd)
We also had a riveting guest talk from two of our Aviation and Airport Management graduates, Maadesh Raveendran and Terencio Afonso Fonseca Silva, who now work in management for TUI airlines. Scroll for more >>>
Visits from the experts (cont'd)
As part of growing links with Merlin Entertainments, we welcomed Dominique Sidley, Global Trade Strategy Director, to talk to our tourism, hospitality, events and business students about careers and placements, as well as discussing the firm's commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion in recruitment.
Aviation and tourism highlights
In recent years, aviation students have had an Airbus factory tour in Hamburg, reviewed aircraft handling at New Istanbul Airport and visited Turkish Airlines for a conference on the airline and its Aviation Academy. Scroll for more >>>
Aviation and tourism highlights (cont'd)
Our final year undergraduates visited Iceland and experienced the Blue Lagoon and tour of the Golden Circle tourist attraction. Second year tourism students spent four days in Palma, Mallorca, visiting a major hotel and the famous Coves del Drach and Macia Batle winery. Scroll for more >>>
Aviation and tourism highlights (cont'd)
As part of their course, a recent tourism cohort of students got to visit the Titanic Museum and incredible Giant's Causeway in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Events and hospitality highlights
Final year students went to Budapest, Hungary, visiting a top spa hotel, a Hungarian folklore experience and Gellert Spa, as well as enjoying a cruise along the River Danube. Second years travelled to the city of York, visiting York Racecourse, Castle Museum and the National Railway Museum. Scroll for more >>>
Events and hospitality highlights (cont'd)
Hospitality students visited Edinburgh, including Edinburgh Castle, a half-day guided tour and the Scotch Whisky Experience, as well as a food tour in Glasgow. In Barcelona, students enjoyed a guided city bus tour, visited Montserrat caves and Freixenet Cava house and cellars (with tasting) and Palacio del Flamenco.
Beyond the classroom
We offer education and training that goes far beyond everyday classes and lectures. We are committed to providing additional enrichment opportunities for our students, from industry trips and expert visits to linkups with local charities, entry into competitions and much more.
Scroll to find out more about what's been going on in our department:
Nicky Millard
Deputy Dean, Curriculum Development and Student Recruitment for the Business School
Meet Nicky Millard
We’re really proud of our links and partnerships with employers and alumni. At the heart of what we do is preparing you for a graduate career in your industry. Our industry partners regularly visit to speak to students, set projects and provide graduate employment opportunities.
We’re also really proud of the outstanding support we’ve been recognised as providing for students while on their journey with us. It gives us great pleasure to pass on our skills to the next generation and your future starts here. We are ready to kick-start your career and we look forward to seeing you soon.
*Nicky gained her degree with us before launching a career in hotel business management in the USA and the UK before moving into HR and lecturing
Our teaching and learning
Whether you want to manage a hotel, plan marketing for a tourism destination, plan new flight routes or manage world-class events, our aim is simple - to support you on the journey. We have an award-winning reputation for a learning experience that sets us apart from bigger universities.
Our degrees are designed to develop you personally and professionally, with graduate advantage, employability and enrichment sessions threaded throughout the curriculum, sitting alongside really interesting theory modules. Our partnership with the University of Warwick, a top-ranking Russell Group university, also brings extra opportunities including access to guest speakers and additional resources.
Theory
Our courses are developed and taught by experienced lecturing staff with diverse backgrounds working in various industries. Lecturers can draw on their industry expertise and years of experience to make scenario-based discussions, debates and concepts come to life, supporting the linking of theory to practice within the context of global trends and challenges.
You will learn so much from our lecturing teams, who are passionate about their profession and eager to inspire and nurture the next generation of hospitality and tourism professionals.
This is enriched by an international body of guest lecturers who share their knowledge and experiences to inspire you and enhance your learning. Students also have a lot to bring and as a team, we will also learn a lot from you. We encourage you to share your perspectives and viewpoints, especially when reflecting on your own life and placement experiences.
Practical
Industry live projects feature in many modules and this provides students with a hands-on opportunity to work with an industry client to propose solutions to a current issue or challenge. Examples of past live projects have included the planning and management of live charity events, sustainable airport practices at Birmingham Airport and Commonwealth Games legacy planning with the West Midlands Growth Company.
Students have access to industry software platforms such as Opera Property Management Systems and HOTS (hospitality), CAPA (aviation) and Cvent (events planning). Furthermore, as an Institute of Travel and Tourism (ITT) Centre of Excellence, students benefit from attending our annual ITT Future You student conference to network with industry professionals.
We have a fully functioning aviation suite – a specialist teaching facility where, in some modules, students (aviation and tourism programmes) can learn about cabin crew operations and management, and ground handling operations within a realistic airport/airline environment. In addition, our award-winning on-site restaurant is the base for students on hospitality programmes developing their front of house skills.
Placements are also key to success as employers want you to have real experience. We have excellent links with international hotel chains, world-leading airlines and attraction venues across the region and beyond, as well as globally.
Support
Our support is exceptional, so much so, our students voted to make us the winner of the Student Support award at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022 and we came a close second in 2023. In 2024, we were voted the best for student support in the West Midlands.
Throughout your studies, you will not only have a personal tutor, but a link tutor during placements and module leaders to support you through academic modules. And we have a whole range of additional support services available, providing you with as much or as little support as you need to succeed in your degree. Our smaller teaching groups enable all students to grow and flourish, with strong peer support and friendship.
Our Learning and Teaching Strategy 2021-24 is key to how we approach the educational journey, focusing on three main pillars that set out our commitment to your learning and teaching experience while you are studying with us.
- Pillar 1 – Provide accessible and inclusive teaching and learning across a wide range of vocationally-led courses
- Pillar 2 – Develop next generation opportunities and skills through innovative, future-focused curriculum and pedagogy
- Pillar 3 – Shape local and global sectors, promoting sustainable futures and global citizenship
Our students
Sefena Iqbal
A period of adversity convinced mature student Sefena to take the plunge back into education after she was made redundant during the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Sagar Sanjiv Mahale
Sagar had already gained a lot of technical experience when he decided to explore the management side of the industry.
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Bhavi Sunil Mehta
Bhavi was the events coordinator for the 2023 Special Olympics World Games, using skills she learned on her degree.
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Emeka Emmanuel Akpor
Emeka’s route into Aviation Management was perhaps a little different to most. Nevertheless, he saw the decision to return to study as essential in pursuit of his career…
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Ayisha Gordon
When Ayisha finished her dance and performing arts course at college, she had no idea what to do next.
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Abhyuday Khare
After completing his bachelor’s degree, Abhyuday spent four years working in his home country, India. Always eager to take steps forward in his career, however, a return to edu…
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Ajinkya Gurav
After gaining an MSc in air transport management and an LLM in aviation law, Ajinkya decided to expand on his skills.
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Roland Ozolins
From a young age, Roland harboured a passion for aviation, but was unsure how to make his way in the industry.
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Daniel Bennett
Award winner Daniel was inspired to study hospitality after cooking at home as a child and falling in love with all things culinary.
Read moreCharlie Hobbis
Alumni Charlie studied events management and now owns a multi-six figure business with an array of diverse clients.
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Ellie Ricks
With a father passionate about rally driving, and a mother working as a pacesetter, it seemed inevitable that Ellie too would become a petrolhead.
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Wajeeha Rafaqat
After completing her English degree and wrapping up an internship, Wajeeha knew she wanted to stay in education and learn more about marketing.
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Kanyi Bubacarr
Retired from the Royal Navy through injury, Kanyi was working for HM Customs and Excise in London when he made a key life decision: to go back into education
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Phil Thebridge
Phil ventured into a master’s in Aviation Management at University College Birmingham to expand on knowledge he gained while studying tourism.
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Kerry White
Kerry fell in love with the aviation industry after travelling abroad from an early age.
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Laura Hulme
The accreditation of Laura’s course by the University of Warwick was a real selling point when choosing her degree.
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Raphael Akakpo
Now working for a top travel company, Raphael chose to build on his degree from a French university with an internationally-focused top-up.
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Whitney Nwabuwe
Attending a hospitality careers event during her degree quickly led to a foot in the door for budding events planner Whitney.
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Samuel Salter
As a business leadership graduate for Collins Aerospace, Samuel is flying the flag for industry improvement – and it all started at University College Birmingham.
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Rhys Williams
From a game-changing Whitbread operations manager to talent recruiter, Rhys has carved out a diverse career since completing his course.
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Afroz Ahmed
Completing a culinary college course in his home city of Mumbai, Afroz was keen to expand on his skills overseas.
Read moreOur facilities
We have invested £200 million into our university facilities so you can learn in outstanding training environments approved by industry. In our department, they include:
- Our state-of-the-art Aviation Suite – part of a real Boeing 737 cabin, a check-in and departure lounge and live links to Birmingham Airport
- Restaurant at Birmingham College of Food - our AA Gold-accredited training restaurant, where students get to put their training into practice with real guests
- Virtual reality – we can’t visit everywhere, but we can bring some of this to you. Our students experience airports and a range of destinations through our VR headsets
- 100-seat and smaller lecture theatres, workspace pods, ThinkSpace glazed study pods to discuss projects, 150+ brand new top-spec computers
Our courses
Aviation and Airport Management BA (Hons) / FdA
Take off on an exciting international career by studying our Aviation and Airport Management course. Gain in-depth knowledge of how the aviatio…
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Events Management (with placement) BA (Hons) / FdA
From managing sporting events and festivals to wedding planning or resorts, this degree course will give you the skills to create exceptiona…
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International Hospitality and Tourism Management BA (Hons) / FdA
Want to work in hotels, resorts, attractions or events? Our International Hospitality and Tourism Management course gives you…
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International Tourism Management BA (Hons) / FdA
Do you have a passion for tourism and travel? Featuring a year-long placement, this course will give you the skills to launch an exciting care…
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Aviation Management MSc / PGDip / PGCert
Our Aviation Management postgraduate course enables you to specialise in a range of management areas for the dynamic global aviation industry, with gr…
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Global Meetings and Events Management MSc / PGDip
Set yourself on the path to high level careers in the dynamic global meetings and events industry on our exciting postgraduate course, featur…
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Hospitality with Tourism Management MSc / PGDip
Want to combine studying hospitality with tourism? This postgraduate course offers two study pathways depending on your background in these fie…
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International Hospitality Management MSc / PGDip / PGCert
Our International Hospitality Management postgraduate course will develop your knowledge to enter managerial positions across the sec…
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International Tourism Management MSc / PGDip / PGCert
Passionate about travel and tourism? Our International Tourism Management postgraduate course enables you to develop specialist tourism m…
Read moreMeet your lecturers
Michelle Callanan
My academic and industry experiences have spanned a number of decades, predominantly in tourism, aviation and education.
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Richard Behan
I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and an experienced lecturer with expertise in developing industry-relevant tourism and aviation programmes which focus on collabora…
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Helen Joyner-Harris
My background is long and varied, serving in the Royal Navy for seven years, followed by another seven years of solo travel and work around Africa. I worked in lesser deve…
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Paul Bamber
I have been a lecturer at UCB since 2004, following a career in destination management with Bristol City Council, Leeds City Council and Marketing Manchester. My key responsibilit…
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Sasa Bobic
After originally studying Physical Education, I have spent many years working in the hospitality and tourism industry for international companies such as STA Travel and Camp Counse…
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Elisabeth Stratton
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Kathryn Hayat
Kathryn Hayat is an Associate Professor of Tourism Education, Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Head of the Department of Hospitality & Tourism at University Col…
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Leila-Jane Edwards
I joined the Events Management teaching team at University College Birmingham in 2008, as a Lecturer, and I am currently a Final Year Manager of the BA (Hons) Events Manage…
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Simon Faulkner
I originally studied International Tourism Management and International Marketing Management. Having finished my BA Hons Degree, I studied for my PGCE in Post Compulsory Educat…
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Ros McAteer
I originally studied at University College Birmingham when it was known as Birmingham College of Food. After completing an OND in Hotel and Catering Operations I went onto study t…
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Karla Keating-Nel
I started my professional career in hotels. My initial experience was within room division of a 5-star city hotel, and then followed on to food and beverage and events withi…
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Katie Bickley
My aviation career started when I took a placement year at university to work at British Airways. Since then I have spent more than five years working in the aviation industry i…
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Salil Colge
I joined University College Birmingham in January 2022. I have more than three decades of industry experience working in different areas of airline and airport operations.
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Valentina Basile
I have studied Tourism Management at both undergraduate and postgraduate level as well as working in various roles within the tourism industry. This has included working as a…
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Yvonne Worrell
I am the Year Manager for the Year 1 Aviation and Airport Management tutor group. I am also the Module Leader for Airline Crew Resource Management and Developing People in Tour…
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Paul Stewart
After graduating, I was employed as an actor, writer, and director by a Stirling-based arts and entertainment company. Other work during this period included stints as an actor/s…
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Sophie Murphy
My journey at University College Birmingham started as an Events Management student. In the years prior to and during my study, I spent six years at a large scale specialist eve…
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Ankur Ahuja
I joined University College Birmingham as a lecturer in March 2015, which is my first teaching job. Prior to this, I have primarily worked within luxury hotel sector including Gro…
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Catherine Yard
After graduating from Manchester Metropolitan University with a Masters in Hospitality Management, I joined Bass Taverns’ Graduate Management Scheme. After working in hotel and…
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Hafiza Rasool
I developed my business and commercial acumen while helping to support my family’s travel agency business and working part-time in retail for Marks and Spencer. I originally stu…
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Nancy Mpofu
My academic and industry experience lies in business, tourism, hospitality and events management, spanning almost two decades. I was discovered by the University of Wolverhampton…
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Shivaun Caffrey
I started my professional career as a chef working in 5-star hotels in London and Switzerland. I studied Food Management at University College Birmingham (then called the Birm…
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We look forward to seeing you on campus
As you prepare to join us, here's a refresher on some of the essentials: