TXST, Horseshoe Bay Resort partner to build next generation of hospitality professionals

Texas State University’s Department of Continuing Education and Horseshoe Bay Resort have launched a formal partnership to develop and deliver a series of stackable micro-credentials in hospitality, designed to build the specific skills and competencies this growing industry demands. 

The partnership pairs TXST’s expertise in workforce-aligned learning with Horseshoe Bay Resort’s standing as one of Texas’ most recognized destinations in the hospitality sector. Horseshoe Bay Resort is part of the Crescent Hotels & Resorts Latitudes Collection.

Hospitality is one of the fastest-growing industries in the country, and in a field where the guest experience depends entirely on the people delivering it, the demand for skilled, credentialed workers has never been higher. Horseshoe Bay Resort already invests heavily in employee development through its Manager in Training program, a cornerstone of how the AAA Four Diamond resort grows and retains its talent. The TXST Hospitality Micro-credential series is designed to complement that work, adding a formal, credential-bearing structure across key competency areas from customer service and sales to quality assurance and event management.

The partnership launches with Hospitality Foundations, an interactive and immersive course introducing learners to the hospitality industry. The course covers the customer service mindset, hospitality divisions and careers, and essential industry vocabulary, giving participants a solid foundation for a career in the field. 

Hospitality Foundations is fully online and self-paced, open for public enrollment now at continuinged.txst.edu.

“Hospitality is a high-demand industry, and this partnership gives Texans a credible, accessible path to a meaningful career in this field,” said Eryn Berger, Ph.D., director of Continuing Education at TXST. “We’re proud to bring Texas State’s instructional expertise to this work, and even prouder to be doing it alongside a partner like Horseshoe Bay Resort that is genuinely invested in the people on their team.”

To support participation in the program, Horseshoe Bay Resort will provide tuition reimbursement to eligible employees who complete the micro-credential course as part of the resort’s ongoing investment in employee growth and professional development. In addition, the resort will provide an interview opportunity to all participants who successfully earn the micro-credential, helping connect skilled talent with career opportunities in the hospitality industry.

“Great hospitality is built on great people. The experiences our guests remember most are created by associates who are skilled, engaged and passionate about service,” said Randy Zupanski, managing director of Horseshoe Bay Resort. “Through our partnership with Texas State University, we are investing in the development of hospitality professionals and creating new pathways for career growth in our industry.”

TXST brings decades of experience translating university expertise into workforce-ready learning. Its Continuing Education team designs programs built to provide working adults with the skills that the local workforce needs. Horseshoe Bay Resort brings the employer perspective: a growing operation with a deep commitment to developing talent from within and connecting motivated learners to real career opportunities in a thriving industry.

Hospitality Foundations is the first in a planned series of stackable micro-credentials, each targeting specific skills and competencies that matter to employers in the field. The series is designed with intentional progression in mind: every credential builds on the last, and learners accumulate a portfolio of verified skills over time. TXST and Horseshoe Bay Resort plan to expand the curriculum together, creating a full pathway from foundational knowledge to advanced professional practice.