LEWISTON, Idaho – Lewis-Clark State College has received two grants from the Building Idaho’s Future program for $308,814.04 to help specifically with the college’s hospitality management and medical assistant degree and certificate offerings, Idaho Division of Career Technical Education and LC State officials have announced.
Building Idaho’s Future is Gov. Brad Little’s plan to invest one-time surplus funds in critical infrastructure projects. These projects are to help develop a diverse workforce, further the state’s economic rebound, and create a long-lasting benefit for all Idahoans. Approximately $318 million in such funds has been set aside for tax relief, spending cuts, transportation, education and public safety, among other projects.
The two grants LC State received fall under the division’s education guideline of providing new CTE opportunities that meet the workforce needs of local communities.
The LC State Hospitality Management program received the majority of the grant funds at $293,959.04, which will be used to help with the culinary arts emphasis of the program. Recently, Hospitality Management program officials announced a new delivery concept for the program, which prepares students for careers in a variety of hospitality areas, including hotel and resort management, food and beverage, culinary, travel and tourism, and event planning. After an introductory semester, students will chose one of three career pathways to complete their degree. The three are hospitality management, culinary arts and hotel/resort management. The three focus areas are in demand, both locally and around Idaho.
“LC State’s Career & Technical Education programs are poised to lead the way, as we work to build Idaho’s future, through diverse workforce development and rebound-ready economic drivers, like the hospitality industry,” LC State President Cynthia Pemberton said. “These grant funds will help us leverage and expand our site-based partnership delivery concept to more fully meet workforce needs in hospitality, culinary, hotel/resort management and medical assistance.”
With the high demand in the culinary arts area, LC State added Magen Goforth, former owner of Brock’s and Brava’s restaurants in Lewiston, to assist in enhancing the program and teaching the culinary arts and hospitality classes.
The grant for the Hospitality Management program will be used to purchase and install such items as ventilation hoods, ovens, stoves, walk-in refrigerator and freezer, commercial sink, garbage disposal, ice machine, commercial mixer and commercial dishwasher. Funds also will be used for fire safety and a fire suppression system for the kitchen area, which will be located in the Mechanical Technical Building.
The second grant LC State received was for $14,855 to be used in its medical assistant program. The program provides certification for Certified Medical Assistants (CMAs) to perform a broad scope of both administrative and clinical duties within a medical facility. U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics show medical assisting is one of the fastest growing professions, increasing the number of employees by more than 19% by 2029.
The grant allows LC State to purchase a power exam table, room/privacy dividers, an exam light, vital monitor stands, training monitors, and other small equipment.
LC State offers a two-year associate’s degree (AAS) in medical assistant, while the Hospitality Management program offers completion through 30-credit intermediate technical certifications (ITC), an advanced technical certification (ATC), two-year associate degree, or an advanced associate degree.