As part of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science in the College of Human Sciences at Auburn University, The Hotel and Restaurant Management program (HRMT) prepares men and women for careers in the premium service segment of the hospitality industry. The HRMT curriculum provides career preparation for both hotel and restaurant management, as well as private clubs. The mission of the program is to educate students in the art and science of hospitality management in a customer focused, problem-solving environment that balances theory with practical, real world experience.

The HRMT program, with its focus on premium quality service, has been highly successful since its inception in 1987. Throughout its history, the program has been committed to excellence and staying on the leading-edge of change. In light of this commitment, the College of Human Sciences and its Hotel and Restaurant Management program have entered into a partnership with The West Paces Hotel Group, L.L.C. Together they have developed a unique model for hospitality education that sets quality standards for the HRMT program congruent with the top industry standards. The West Paces Hotel Group, L.L.C. Built on a foundation of superior service and science-based operations, The West Pages Hotel Group, L.L.C was launched as a private hotel company in 2002 by Horst H. Schulze. Mr. Schulze is co-founder and former President and Chief Operating Officer of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. Under his dynamic leadership, The Ritz-Carlton was twice awarded the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award for premium quality service.

An integral part of this unique academic/industry partnership is the Auburn University Hotel and Dixon Conference Center which is now an academic facility operated by The West Paces Hotel Group, L.L.C. Currently, AUHDCC is undergoing renovation to become a state-of-the-art learning laboratory for the HRMT instructional program. Members of the hotel executive management team have been designated as affiliate faculty and will team teach courses in the redesigned curriculum with HRMT professors. Students will receive both classroom theory and laboratory practice based on a model of continuous quality improvement as part of their degree requirements.