BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University alumnus Chip Bryan ’07 always has his eye out for people who want to spend their days at a mansion — working, that is.

As the talent acquisition and recruitment supervisor for The Biltmore Co., Bryan focuses on recruitment for the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, built as a private home for George and Edith Vanderbilt in 1895 and now a tourist destination.

Encompassing America’s largest privately owned home, two hotels, six restaurants, gardens, a winery, shops and recreational facilities, The Biltmore Co. employs over 2,500 people to provide hospitality and world-class service to guests while preserving the estate.

In his position, Bryan works with schools and universities, service providers, operational managers and job seekers.

“I love being able to connect people in order to help them live their best lives and achieve their personal and career goals,” he said. “I oversee Biltmore’s hospitality internships, programs for adults with disabilities, and various talent programs within the organization.”

In 2007, Bryan earned a Bachelor of Science in recreation management with a concentration in commercial recreation and tourism management from Appalachian. As part of his Appalachian education, Bryan:

• Executed an undergraduate research project with Watauga County Parks and Recreation Department.
• Completed an internship with a travel sales agency.
• Experienced an education abroad program, traveling to three European countries to study culture and the Holocaust.
• Gained industry experience working at The Blowing Rock attraction.

After graduation, Bryan worked in hospitality operations and the travel industry. “Over time, I decided I wanted to pursue a hospitality career that was more behind the scenes and was hired into an entry-level human resources position at Biltmore. I’ve had the chance to advance my career at Biltmore since then through professional development opportunities,” he said.

Bryan said Appalachian’s recreation management program provided him experiences and training applicable to a variety of career fields. “The faculty were all happy to take time with students to help us succeed. Dr. Stephanie West was my favorite professor in the program, and I still utilize many of the skills she taught in her classes.”

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Recreation Management (BS) - Commercial Recreation and Tourism Management

The Recreation Management (BS) - Commercial Recreation and Tourism Management degree prepares students to design, manage and deliver services related to the resort, tourism and commercial recreation industries.

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Why hire a graduate of Appalachian State University? Employers identify what they admire in new hires from App, including strong work ethic and professional preparation.

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Where can an Appalachian degree take you?

Anywhere you want to go! Appalachian State University generates passionate and engaged alumni, who become leaders in their communities and chosen professions. They exemplify how an Appalachian education can and does make the world a better place.

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About the Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education

The Department of Recreation Management and Physical Education in Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences is an innovative, diverse and forward-thinking academic unit consisting of two undergraduate programs. The recreation management program prepares students for careers as professionals in three concentrations: commercial recreation and tourism management, outdoor experiential education, and recreation and park management. The health and physical education program prepares students for careers as K-12 health and physical educators, school-based activity directors and coaches. Learn more at https://rmpe.appstate.edu.

About the Beaver College of Health Sciences

Appalachian State University’s Beaver College of Health Sciences (BCHS), opened in 2010, is transforming the health and quality of life for the communities it serves through interprofessional collaboration and innovation in teaching, scholarship, service and clinical outreach. BCHS offers nine undergraduate degree programs and seven graduate degree programs, which are organized into six departments: Nursing, Nutrition and Health Care Management, Public Health and Exercise Science, Recreation Management and Physical Education, Rehabilitation Sciences, and Social Work. The college’s academic programs are located in the Holmes Convocation Center on App State’s main campus and the Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences, a state-of-the-art, 203,000-square-foot facility that is the cornerstone of the Wellness District. In addition, the college supports the Blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services and has collaborative partnerships with the Wake Forest School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Program, UNC Health Appalachian and numerous other health agencies. Learn more at https://healthsciences.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As the premier public undergraduate institution in the Southeast, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.