Chef Ben, Pastry Arts Instructor Jasmine, Culinary Arts Brian, Culinary Arts Discover the Difference
The Chef s Academy at Harrison College prides itself on truly knowing our students their lives and families, obstacles and motivations, and their dreams and goals. We also know their potential that s why, for more than a hundred years, our mission has been to provide a supportive environment. We re committed to our students success, because we know that their skills in culinary and pastry arts won t only benefit their lives, but it will bring together families, friends and communities. That s the Harrison Difference. As Harrison s culinary division, The Chef s Academy takes a personal approach to education. With experienced and caring culinary experts who possess years of experience in the region s top restaurants, The Chef s Academy exists to empower students to achieve their own personal success and bring positive improvement to their lives. We offer a close-knit atmosphere that helps provide students with a sense of belonging and empowerment from day one through graduation. Why should you choose The Chef s Academy? Our industry-experienced chefs and instructors are committed to teaching students the skills and techniques they need to be successful in the food industry. From our hands-on learning approach in our kitchens to the experience students receive working in restaurants throughout the community, we operate with one thing in mind: supporting our students as they pursue success. Even after our students graduate, services such as our Lifetime Career Assistance ensure we continue to help them even after their time at The Chef s Academy has concluded. When our students succeed, they provide for their families and benefit the community around them.
A History of Student Service 1900s 1930s 1940s 1980s 1902 Charles C. Cring purchases an existing small business college and establishes Marion Business College. Marion was one of the fastest growing cities in Indiana at that time. 1910 1912 Indiana Business College (IBC) has a growth spurt, opening 13 distinct schools in Indianapolis as well as in northern and southern Indiana. 1936 During the Great Depression, Indiana Business College in Indianapolis reports a record enrollment of 1,063 day students and 504 night students. 1947 IBC purchases a church on Meridian Street in downtown Indianapolis, which will house the Central Business College for the next 55 years. 1980 IBC receives national accreditation by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS). 1986 Kenneth J. Konesco is named President and leads a resurgence through the next two and a half decades. 1990s 2000s 2010s 1993 The College expands beyond offering only business courses, and the first medical program and medical campus is established. 2002 IBC celebrates 100 years! The downtown Indianapolis campus moves to its current building on East Washington Street. 2004 The College begins to offer coursework over the Internet via online classes. 2006 IBC offers a culinary arts program, opening a new division called The Chef s Academy. 2009 IBC changes its name to Harrison College and establishes its first location outside of Indiana (Columbus, Ohio). 2010 Jason T. Konesco becomes President of Harrison College. 2011 The Chef s Academy opens in Raleigh, North Carolina. 2012 KnowU online college campus, combining social media with online learning, goes live to all Harrison students. Harrison hosts its second visiting team from the Higher Learning Commission in two years on its path toward regional accreditation. Harrison College celebrates 110 years! 2013 Through a Corporate Partnerships division, Harrison tailors curriculum to companies needs, teaches the courses and leverages the partnerships to help keep undergraduate offerings relevant. The developing International Division begins building degree partnerships with select institutions abroad and coordinates academic and student support services for their students, who complete Harrison courses online.
Programs Our approach to training future culinary experts is focused on providing a support system that helps our students achieve their own success through hard work and dedication. From our experienced chefs and caring faculty to our involvement in the community, we offer students the real world experience they need to feel confident as they purse a career in the food industry. Culinary Arts The Chef s Academy s Culinary Arts program teaches students the culinary skills they need for a successful career in the food industry. Through a well-rounded curriculum and chefs and instructors with reputable industry experience, students are taught in a hands-on environment, gaining industry experience along the way. Students are able to pursue entry-level food service career opportunities and learn skills such as food service purchasing, nutrition and food safety, while gaining direct experience in fundamental food preparation skills, classical cuisines and the basics of meat and poultry cookery. Graduates of the Culinary Arts program receive a foundation of fundamental cooking techniques necessary to begin working in the industry as professional kitchen staff and line cooks. Once a student has graduated, he or she will apply fundamental cooking techniques to a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, meats and seafood and identify the fundamentals of flavor profiles and apply them to the creation of classic and modern cuisine. At The Chef s Academy, our students are taught the fundamental concepts of food and beverage management, food production and customer service so when they enter the food industry, they can feel confident and prepared. Pastry Arts At The Chef s Academy, we know that our students are passionate about their work. That s why our Pastry Arts program provides students with hands-on, practical experience in the kitchen and in the industry. While in the kitchen, students are introduced to the art of making specialty breads, cakes, pies, pastry creams and French pastries and are presented with skills in advanced decoration and design. Students in the Pastry Arts program are given an overview of the organization and operation of a commercial kitchen and bake shop. Commercial kitchen food fabrication and techniques are also included so students have the opportunity and ability to work as a pastry assistant or entry-level line cook. Our passionate chefs and instructors are readily available for students to come to with questions and are eager to use their notable industry experience to help each student find success.
Harrison College has more than 4,000 students at 13 campuses in Indiana, Ohio and North Carolina, and it exists to empower students to embark on their own journey, with the help of our supportive faculty and staff. Harrison has more than 30 programs in six schools of study: Business, The Chef s Academy, Criminal Justice and Social Services, Health Sciences, Information Technology and Veterinary Technology. As Harrison s culinary division, The Chef s Academy embodies Harrison s mission to those pursuing their dreams of working in the culinary or pastry industries. Whether you re looking to advance your career or pursue your dreams, The Chef s Academy at Harrison College is ready to support you. My favorite part of attending The Chef s Academy is that everyone is personal - the administration, the chefs and the teachers. Jasmine, Culinary Arts
The faculty at The Chef s Academy are very helpful. They re knowledgeable and informative about the industry, and there are many different people you can talk to depending on what your concerns are - on a personal or professional level. Brian, Culinary Arts Building Success Our students stories, challenges and triumphs inspire our faculty and staff every day. The atmosphere here is great - you re welcomed by everybody. All the employees know you by name. Brandon, Culinary Arts At The Chef s Academy, the chefs and teachers are very hands-on. In kitchen classes, you can go up to any chef, and they will help you as much as they can with the subject you re asking about. Laura, Pastry Arts
Career Services The Chef s Academy s commitment and dedication to its students doesn t end at graduation. Finding internships, externships and ultimately a sustained career in the food industry takes time and significant effort. That s why we provide career resources to current students and alumni to ensure that they never feel alone in their pursuit of a more fulfilling career and life. Our Career Services team offers students and alumni access to valuable resources, such as: Exploring career options in the food industry Résumé and cover letter writing Interview preparation Networking skills with food industry leaders Conducting industry and restaurant research Internship, externship and job search strategies for restaurants, kitchens and other work environments Advisory Board The Chef s Academy strives to maintain and continuously improve our programs to ensure graduates have relevant skills in an ever-changing culinary environment. The advisory board is essential to shaping our curriculum so that we address the concepts, skills and techniques that are most important in the culinary industry. We work hand-in-hand with some of the most reputable chefs and culinary leaders to evaluate our curriculum; provide internships, externships and job opportunities for students and graduates; and stay better informed on current trends.
Our Students 55% Female 45% Male 45% ages 18-25 24% ages 26-33 27% Pastry Arts 73% Culinary Arts
Student Satisfaction 4.06/5 students agree that he or she is proud to tell others he or she attends The Chef s Academy (new students overall) 4.45/5 likelihood of recommending The Chef s Academy to others (new students overall) Source: Spring 2014 Student Relationship Survey
Brandon, Culinary Arts Laura, Pastry Arts Harrison.edu