Founded in 1966, the School of Travel Industry Management (TIM School) marks its 60th anniversary in 2026. The milestone offers both a celebration and an opportunity to reflect on the lasting impact the school, its students and its alumni have on Hawai‘i’s largest industry. Its earliest history dates to 1960 when Governor William Quinn, who was also the president of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), lobbied to have Hawai‘i selected as the site of the first hotel management degree program in the Asia-Pacific region. More recently, the TIM School rejoined Shidler College in 2019 after being separate since 1992, and in fall of 2025 there were 264 students enrolled.
Throughout many changes over the past six decades, one constant has remained: the school’s unwavering commitment to ensuring it continues to serve as a global model for hospitality, tourism and transportation leadership. Shidler Dean Vance Roley says that one of the distinctive features of the TIM School is its transportation component, setting the school apart.
“Early on, the TIM School was one of the premier tourism, hospitality and transportation programs in the world,” Roley said. “Over the last six years, we’ve worked to restore that reputation, returning the school to its original mission and identity.”
— Shidler College Dean Vance Roley
That mission is rooted in a desire to share knowledge, promote environmental sustainability and honor and enrich host cultures. A large part of the school’s success can be attributed to Emeritus Dean Chuck Yim Gee, who guided the school onto the global stage during his tenure from 1976 to 1999. Gee’s transformative vision elevated lasting academic excellence and created strong industry partnerships. He is credited for expanding the school’s global engagement, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. He established an early emphasis on sustainable tourism, well before it was a mainstream concept.
Following Gee’s leadership, the school has been sustained by a strong administration, carried forward by Roley and TIM School Director Dan Spencer. The school’s advisory council, led by Keith Vieira, BBA ’79, owner of KV & Associates Hospitality Consulting, also plays a critical role in shaping the school’s strategic direction and industry ties and expanding student opportunities.
The TIM School rejoined Shidler College in 2019.
One of those opportunities is the Hawai‘i Tourism Ho‘oilina Scholarship, established in 2019 through a partnership among the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association, the Hawai‘i State Legislature and the TIM School. It awards about $12,000 annually to support public high school graduates pursuing careers in hospitality, tourism or transportation.
To date, the program has graduated two cohorts, and its 15 alumni are working in professional roles at companies including the Sheraton Waikiki, Ritz Carlton Waikiki, ABC Stores and Japan Airlines. There are currently 11 students in the program who regularly engage in internships, community service, leadership development and industry engagement.
Positioning students for career success remains a top priority of the TIM School. Roley said that with guidance from industry partners, the curriculum was revised in recent years to align more closely with the skills and experience employers seek. Beyond the strong foundation built in industry trends and best practices, Vieira noted that required internships — at 400 hours minimum to graduate — distinguish TIM School alumni in a competitive job market.
“Students spend significant time gaining hands-on experience in the hospitality industry, which better prepares them for professional expectations.”
— Keith Vieria, BBA ‘79
This is reflected in postgraduation success, with more than 90% of graduates employed or in graduate study programs within three months.
Spencer echoes Vieira’s sentiment that the school’s pragmatic curriculum and internship requirements create a pipeline for students to easily step into the workforce after graduating. He notes that TIM School students are succeeding in management positions across hospitality, tourism and transportation organizations.
Understanding the importance of networking, the TIM School hosts events that connect students with industry professionals, including the annual Celebrate a Legacy in Tourism fundraiser and the student-run N¯a Kukui Netlinks mentoring event, as well as workshops.
Many TIM School alumni choose to stay closely connected to the school long after graduation and give back to its students and programs through mentorship, leadership and contributions. The TIM Alumni Association was established under the guidance of Gee in 1968 and the alumni association received its charter of incorporation from the state in 1973. The organization serves as both a professional network and social hub which fosters camaraderie and lifelong connections. It also supports the school through financial contributions to student scholarships and key programs and events, mentorship programs, as well as alumni engagement initiatives.
“Hawai‘i is an ideal setting for students to learn about travel industry management,” Spencer said. “Its large and vibrant industry provides our students with great opportunities.”
Looking ahead, Spencer said that a prominent area he is focusing on is marketing to continue increasing enrollment in undergraduate and graduate programs in an industry located right in students’ backyards.
“Our alumni and partners play a crucial role in shaping the future curriculum and ensuring our graduates are prepared for what’s ahead," said Roley.
