Student Experience: Jerry Dean

“The experience at El Centro helped establish my career as an executive chef. Now I work in food service administration, where I have the ability to impact the culinary experience of thousands. It has come full circle for me as I now sit on the advisory board for the Food and Hospitality Institute, as well as Texas Woman's University’s School of Nutrition. Food and education are my life!” 

Jerry Dean is a 20-year veteran of Aramark, providing leadership as a food service director for nine of those years with the Higher Education team and the last 11 years as a district manager for Texas and New Mexico. As district manager, Jerry is responsible for the supervision of the on-site team, providing a wide range of support and expertise in operational excellence, marketing, financial performance and customer service. Jerry has an extensive culinary arts and food service administration background, having worked as an executive chef for 13 years before joining Aramark. Jerry serves on the advisory board for Texas Woman's University’s School of Nutrition and El Centro's School of Culinary Arts. Jerry served as the Regional Safety Leader for 2011-2012 and continues to support the region as co-facilitator of the regional safety committee.

Jerry attended El Centro's School of Culinary Arts and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Governor's University School of Business. Aramark Corporation is a global provider of food, facilities and uniform services to clients in education, health care, business, corrections and business in 21 countries.


Read More

A student with a red jacket poses for a photo in a downtown setting

Stephanie Gutierrez

Culinary Student
“At El Centro’s Culinary and Hospitality Institute, I’m learning how to plan a menu and use time management in the kitchen. Now with SkillsUSA, it’s teaching me to get where I want to go.”
Culinary and Pastry Arts
Thomas Post

Thomas Post

Founder and Owner Postman Productions
“I love the hands-on aspect of my education as compared to what my friends who went to four-year universities experienced. At North Lake, there was always lab time and equipment available when I needed it, and the one-on-one attention from instructors was amazing.”
Video Technology
Picture of Sri Guru Purini

Sri Guru Keerthi Purini

Junior Designer Belo Interactive
“This program helped me build a strong foundation. The thorough curriculum, well-thought-out assignments and hands-on training offered by the faculty have given me all the experience I needed to step into the professional world with confidence.”
Digital Art and Design
Rodney Willis

Rodney E. Willis

Senior Interior Design Associate, Ike Isenhour Inc.
“The professors in the program took an interest in my success and guided me towards accomplishing my goals. The relatively small classes offered an opportunity for one-on-one interaction, which was a positive factor for me.”
Interior Design
Jerry Dean
Jerry Dean
District Manager, Aramark Higher Education

Culinary and Pastry Arts
School of Creative Arts, Entertainment and Design
Updated July 28, 2026