Professional Foodservice Design Certificate
The FCSI Educational Foundation and Western Kentucky University have developed a professional certificate program in foodservice design. The program is designed to provide working professionals with essential skills needed to be competitive job candidates in the foodservice design profession. Working together, WKU and FCSI EF collaboratively provide students with the opportunity to learn Revit software, gain an understanding of commercial kitchen operations, understand the materials used in foodservice spaces, and work in a commercial kitchen environment. The program’s content is delivered mostly online through the BlackBoard learning system. Built into the program are specialized days in which you will travel to the commercial kitchen at WKU and meet with your cohort for an experiential learning experience.
Applications for the program will be open from September 20th through March 31st. Class size is limited to 15 students. The 1st module of the program will open on or before February 1st. In June, you will have in-person days with a visit to the WKU campus. You will be able to interact with your Revit instructor, your Foodservice Design instructor, as well as work in a commercial kitchen with your Commercial Foods instructor. During your time on campus, you will meet members of the FCSI Educational Foundation and current Foodservice Consultants.
In July, we will have in-person days in Dallas, Texas, touring and cooking in two foodservice equipment manufacturers' test kitchens, Middleby and Welbuilt. This experience helps you learn about the newest innovations in foodservice equipment, understand the operating parameters of different equipment and experiment with the equipment during your visit.
The schedule for the 2027 co-hort:
Cohort Course Information
Class size is limited to 15, providing more one-on-one instruction and individualized feedback.
Tuition for the program $3699.00
Includes:
- Instruction from Certified Instructors
- Guest lectures from industry professionals
- Access to all materials required for the course including textbooks
- Some meals and transportation when attending in-person classes
Bowling Green, KY is about 65 miles north of Nashville, TN and 100 miles south of Louisville, KY.
Successful completion of the program will culminate in a FCSI recognized certificate of completion in Food Service Design.
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Module #1 - February 1 - May 1 |
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Module #2 – May 1st – July 15th In-person classes on WKU’s campus: June 9th – 12th |
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Module #3 June 21st – September 18th In-person classes in Dallas, TX: July 12th – 15th |
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Dr. Ann Embry
Dr. Embry earned her bachelor’s degree in Dietetics and her master’s degree in Adult Education from Western Kentucky University. Later in her career, she obtained her PhD in Hospitality Management from Iowa State University. With over 20 years of experience in dietetics and the food service industry, she now serves as the Applied Human Sciences Interim Department Chair and as an Associate Professor at WKU, where she shares her expertise with her students and colleagues. Additionally, she currently lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky, with her husband, Todd, and their son, James.
Sheila Flener
Sheila Sullivan Flener is a senior Interior Design Instructor at WKU and has been with the university since 2004. With 25 years of experience with AutoCAD software and 12 years of experience with Revit software, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Sheila holds her NCIDQ certification and is a Licensed Interior Designer in Kentucky and Tennessee. Her research interests lie in the adaptive reuse of structures, and she has extensive experience in commercial design. She was awarded the CHHS Teaching Award in 2022 for her outstanding contributions.
Julia Williams
Julia Williams is an instructor of Interior Design. Following a three-decade career in commercial interior design, Ms. Williams focuses on preparing individuals for a professional career in the field. Ms. Williams adds to the classroom experience by incorporating exercises that focus on realistic aspects from her professional design experience. She currently teaches a variety of classes including materials and finishes, Studio I, Studio II, Business practices, Food Service Design and more.
Julia Williams is NCIDQ certified and has experience in larger urban markets as well as smaller regional markets. She has worked as an interior designer at architectural firms and commercial furniture dealerships and as a design contractor. Ms. Williams’ clients include those in the hospitality, healthcare, corporate and educational sectors as well as residential clients.
Ms. Williams earned a master’s degree from the University of Nebraska College of Architecture with a specialization in interior design, a program designed for individuals wanting to become design educators. She also has bachelor’s degrees in interior design and art history. Julia loves to travel and enjoys student trips to industry markets and events. She is currently the faculty advisor for the WKU IIDA campus center.
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