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MVCC names Petronio dean of school of business and hospitality

MVCC has named Vincent Petronio dean of the school of business and hospitality. (Photo credit: MVCC)

UTICA, N.Y. — Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) announced it has appointed Vincent Petronio as dean of the school of business and hospitality.

In this role, he will provide strategic vision and operational leadership of the school of business and hospitality and develop a strategic plan that aligns with MVCC’s strategic plan.

“Vince came to MVCC as a successful restaurateur with several years of experience in the local culinary scene,” Lew Kahler, MVCC VP for learning and academic affairs, said in a release. “As the director of hospitality programs, he led the efforts to redesign the curriculum in the culinary programs, and we are excited to see how he will bring this entrepreneurial spirit to the leadership of the school of business and hospitality.”

As director of hospitality programs, Petronio created a hospitality-specific orientation for incoming students that included a campus tour, faculty introductions, and assistance getting books and supplies to ensure students are ready to begin on day one. He has also worked to modernize the programs’ curricula and created a culinary garden on the college’s Rome campus for students to plant, harvest, and use fresh produce to better their understanding of product quality and local food systems.

“As dean, I hope to strengthen existing relationships with area businesses as well as forge new and lasting partnerships within the community,” Petronio said. “It is my aspiration to create an impactful learning environment within the school that fosters our students’ curiosity and prepares them for all of the incredible opportunities on the horizon in Central New York.”

Before he joined MVCC, Petronio co-launched the Utica restaurant mōtus with JD Smith. He holds a bachelor’s degree in culinary arts management from The Culinary Institute of America. Petronio also previously worked at Blue Hill at Stone Barnes in Tarrytown and served in several positions at The Tailor and the Cook in Utica, including chef de cuisine.

Traci DeLore