School of Business, Hospitality and Global Trade Student Experiences

No matter where these current or former students are in the process of reaching their goals, we salute them. They have dared to turn dreams into reality through education in the School of Business, Hospitality and Global Trade. Could you be next?

Adam West

Executive Chef, The Porch Restaurant

“El Centro helped me sharpen my skills as part of the Hot Food Competition Team — landing me ACF culinary medals in Orlando, Chicago, Dallas and Houston. I now helm The Porch — all thanks to the start I received at El Centro.”

Culinary and Pastry Arts

Ngoc Trinh

Research Product Development Chef PepsiCo Global Foods and Frito Lay North America

“The culinary program had a blend of professors, ranging from those with decades of experience in the industry to military backgrounds to science backgrounds. They had such a wealth of knowledge, which really translated for me into this deep knowledge for foods and flavors and science. If I had not pursued this education, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Culinary and Pastry Arts

Pat Sykes

Director H&R Block Premium

“The on-the-job applications drew the positive attention of my boss and enhanced my performance in the workplace. The Management Program helped develop the skill sets necessary to lead and coach others.”

Business and Management

Tamera Nalls

Real Estate Professional Keller Williams Urban Dallas/Keller Williams Luxury International

“The Dallas College Real Estate program prepared me for real-life work because the faculty are all industry professionals. They did not just talk; they all walked the walk.”

Real Estate

Josephine Maduagwu

Real Estate Broker John Rob Real Estate Group

“As a student, being able to have access to professors who were knowledgeable and actually worked in the field was a rewarding experience in many ways. The opportunity to work alongside classmates and/or adjunct faculty was the best part of the Dallas College experience.”

Real Estate

Jennifer Kohl

Administrative Assistant Highland Village Police Department

“My experience in the Management program was outstanding! I was able to complete the entire degree online while still getting the ‘classroom’ feel. The instructors were truly interested in my success and my implementation of the skills I was learning.”

Business and Management

Jeff Tarver

Food Service Manager, Texas Scottish Rite Hospital

“The training I received at El Centro has been invaluable in my 22-year career at the hospital. My advice for up-and-coming students considering a career in culinary arts: A degree from El Centro Food and Hospitality Institute will unlock an unlimited amount of doors, but it is up to you to step through them.”

Culinary and Pastry Arts

Janice Provost

Owner/Executive Chef, Parigi

“El Centro taught me things I use every day. From the basics of the mother sauces to conversions of recipes, the classes gave me real, usable information that allow me to create menus with balanced flavors and execute dishes with confidence.”

Culinary and Pastry Arts

Isaac Juarez

Ascender student

“Ascender has helped me come out of my shell, be more active on campus, and step outside my comfort zone. It has also allowed me to build meaningful connections and find inspiration. Through this journey, I have come to see my friends as my family.”

Business

Icela Robles

Realtor Sandyland Estates Home Builders

“In the classes, I learned basically everything I needed to know to work in the real estate business: ethics, laws, guidelines, about the Texas Real Estate Commission — really, all that the business entails — through the Real Estate program.”

Real Estate

Gina Becerra

Program Services Assistant Workforce Training

“I was nervous when I first started, but I soon felt comfortable and more confident in myself thanks to the instructors and staff in the BOSS program. They inspired me to try harder and to believe in myself. I feel prepared and ready for what comes my way, and I also know that there are people out there who truly care about me and others like me who want to get ahead in life.”

Business

Gilberto Tellez

Manager Fernando’s Mexican Cuisine

“The best and most important thing is the knowledge I learned in Richland’s program. I’ve learned things that I know I will use someday in my career. I’ve learned a lot of things that I’ll be able to put into practice.”

International Business and Trade

Gary Jackson

Owner, GJAC Exports Independent Missionary, Fire and Life International Ministries

“I looked at both two-year and four-year colleges, and this was the only one that had a true international business program. Other schools had a business degree with a foreign language component, but that wasn’t really what I wanted.”

International Business and Trade

Gary Holub

Transportation Manager Tuesday Morning, Inc.

“My professors at Brookhaven were really outstanding. I especially enjoyed Mary Lou Avera’s classes. I’d go to her class on Monday nights and begin applying what I’d learned in class at work on Tuesday morning. I’d think, ‘This is real-world stuff that you can really use!’”

Business and Management

F. Scott Bauer

Property Owner

“The best part of my Dallas College education was having had the opportunity to gain an overview of the Texas-specific real estate arena under professor Redwine’s tutelage. It’s obvious that she knows her business, and I considered it an honor to learn from her wide array of experiences over many years of being in the real estate world.”

Real Estate

Eileen Jahn, CPS/CAP

Executive Assistant Mattress Giant

“I really enjoyed my experience in the program. As an adult attending college for the first time, I felt very comfortable and not overwhelmed with a big campus atmosphere.”

Business

Dunia Borga

Founder and Chief Pastry Angel, La Duni Restaurants

“The most beautiful feeling of being a pastry chef is that you become part of the most important memories of your guests. El Centro gave me the foundation to make those memories magical and in doing so helped me reach my dreams. I couldn’t have asked for a better education.”

Culinary and Pastry Arts

Dhruv Pandya

Assistant Director of Trinity Watershed Management Dallas Water Utilities

“With my first management class, I was hooked. Everything I learned at community college was a real-life experience. I could apply what I was learning at work and really see results. My education helped me to do more and more on the job.”

Business and Management

Carol Taylor

Registered dietician

“El Centro has committed educators and professionals who offer invaluable support and advice as you begin your career or even your second career. With the opportunities, encouragement and quality education I received at El Centro, I was able to find my path, achieve my goals and move on to the next phase of my life and career.”

Culinary and Pastry Arts

Carol Holmes

Realtor, JP & Associates Realtors Office Manager, Holmes Inspection Company President, Women’s Council, Dallas Association of Real Estate Brokers Adjunct Faculty, Dallas College

“This program taught practices that helped me streamline my home inspection company. But most of all, the knowledge I gained from this program gave me confidence to be a community influencer and leader.”

Real Estate

View Additional Student Experiences

An office worker sits at the front desk of their office and looks at a computer and over the counter

Launch Your Future with the School of Business, Hospitality and Global Trade

Discover a world of opportunity at the School of Business, Hospitality and Global Trade—where innovation meets real-world experience. Whether you're preparing to enter the workforce, planning to transfer to a four-year university, or looking to sharpen your skills, our programs are designed to help you thrive in today’s dynamic global economy.

With flexible learning options, industry-aligned credentials, and expert faculty, Dallas College empowers you to build a career in some of the most in-demand fields nationwide.