Natasha Gittens, director of the University of St. Martin's School of Continuing Education and Life Long Learning, has been appointed as a CHE® Master Trainer by the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. As one of only 13 educators with this role, she will facilitate CHE® workshops in the Caribbean and North America. Gittens will lead a CHE® workshop in September as part of a weeklong hospitality conference in St. Maarten titled "High Season 2016: Developing Professionals in the Caribbean," which will feature over 25 training sessions and certification exams.

1. Certification Spotlight
New CHE® Master Trainer to Lead Major Caribbean Hospitality
Conference
The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute(AHLEI) has appointed
Natasha Gittens, Ph.D., CHE, director of the University of St. Martin's School
of Continuing Education and Life Long Learning (SCELL) as a CHE® Master
Trainer. As one of only 13 educators in the world to hold this position,
Gittens will facilitate AHLEI's Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE®)
workshops in the Caribbean and North America.
Gittens earned the CHE® last April along with other hospitality faculty
members from the University of St. Martin on the island of Sint
Maarten. She was then selected for the CHE® Master Trainer mentorship
program, adding another layer of expertise to her academic and
professional credentials. Gittens holds a bachelor's degree in political
science, a master's degree in educational leadership with an emphasis on
supervision, and doctorate in business management. She has served as a
project management consultant to businesses, corporations and

2. hospitality organizations worldwide and has led adult education, training,
and mentoring programs that have received national honors.
Gittens will lead a CHE® workshop in mid-September as part of a
weeklong hospitality conference, "High Season 2016: Developing
Professionals in the Caribbean ," presented by SCEL and supporting
sponsor Windward Islands Bank, and hosted by Divi Little Bay Beach
Resort. The September 9-16 conference will feature more than 25 training
sessions, ranging from team building and supervisory training to basic
accounting for managers and public speaking. There will also be a day-
long workshop for AHLEI's Guest Service Gold® program culminating with
the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP®) exam, presented by
Erwin Wolthius, MA., CHE.
Gittens stated, "I am very proud of my appointment as a CHE® Master
Trainer by AHLEI. This appointment directly supports The University of St.
Martin's and SCELL's goal to directly empower individuals to pursue higher
education, AHLEI hospitality certifications, and professional development
opportunities. The Get Ready for the High Season Conference 2016 is the
vehicle we selected to provide thousands of diverse professionals with the
opportunity achieve their personal goals. SCELL has received superior
feedback on the event and looks forward to expediting it to a high level
of service excellence. This event showcases that St. Maarten is taking the
lead to improving tourism throughout the Caribbean."
Complete information for registering for the High Season conference and
enrolling in the CHE® or CGSP® certification workshops is available online
at www.scell.usmonline.onl .