For about 16 years, right around the time casino-style gambling became legal in Ohio, Rob Heiman, Professor Emeritus and instructor in Kent State’s College of Education and Human Services, has been taking his students on a five-day trip to Las Vegas.
His class, “Casino Management and Gaming Operations,” Heiman said, covers “the economic input, the social issues related to gaming, and the organizational structures of these massive 4,000-5,000 room hotel/casino entertainment centers. We touch on the statistical measure of games. The first thing we say is that ‘there is no such thing as a winner.’”
The coursework also covers the reality of security and surveillance in casinos and the local history of gaming in Ohio. In a previous year’s trip, the students got a tour of the surveillance room inside the Bellagio. “30 students, 15 at a time, they locked the doors behind us. No camera allowed,” Heiman said. “It’s like something you see in the movies; there’s a panel of video screens with three joystick operators zeroing in on details with a supervisor monitoring everything. There is now face recognition and GPS tracking of individuals in the casino. It has gotten crazy in terms of the technology related to surveillance and security.”
In addition, Heiman provides the students with a basic understanding of some of the top casino games like video gaming, slots, poker and blackjack. “We show them with cards and that puts a big smile on everyone’s face,” he said. “And I’ve even asked myself, ‘Am I really standing here teaching blackjack in a college class?’”
Networking Helps Students Receive a ‘Red Carpet’ Welcome
In-class learning experiences like these are provided to expose students to important aspects of the industry so they will have a good background when they meet high-profile executives while visiting casinos in Ohio and Las Vegas.
“I can’t tell you how gracious, hospitable, warm and welcoming these professionals are as they invite students to show them everything they do,” said Heiman. He said that after one of the presentations in Las Vegas, the executives treated the students to dinner and spent time getting to know them. The students also got a complimentary ride on the High Roller Ferris wheel at the LINQ while “Kent State” graphics were displayed on the monitors.
“The good news is that they want these young people involved in the industry,” Heiman said. “They’re trying to recruit hardworking, young people and our students demonstrate that.”
He said he has built a network of professionals at all levels of the industry and that it is “a great lesson for the students. They see the power of knowing people and establishing relationships.”
One of the key relationships that benefits students is with Nathan Giesen. He is a faculty adjunct who teaches the class with Heiman. He’s on the Kent State Advisory Board for Hospitality and Event Management and has more than 10 years of experience working in casinos.
Working on The Strip
Nearly every hour of the students’ time in Las Vegas engages them in learning. Beginning at 9 a.m. each day, the students are expected to arrive at class sessions dressed in business attire with a professional attitude. Two or three industry executives spend time with the students showing them the different aspects of their operations.
During the students’ time outside of these sessions, they work from an itinerary they prepared in class a month before. They make cold calls by phone or through LinkedIn and connect with people within the part of the organizations that they’re interested in, like front desk operations, food and beverage, events, entertainment, retail or security. Then, they set up a two-to-three-hour interview with an individual during their time in Las Vegas.
Connections Payout in Opportunities
Heiman has seen several students from his class go directly from graduation to a job in the casino industry. Overall, he estimates that Kent State’s hospitality program has an 80-90% job placement rate. “That’s not necessarily the gaming component because that’s pretty specialized,” he said, “Because there are also so many opportunities in the hospitality industry overall.”
‘Wow, What an Experience!’
When they returned from their trip, several students shared their impressions – and some of the fantastic photos they had taken – on social media.
Ana Hasselbusch is from Wexford, Pa. She’s a graduating senior in the hospitality and event management program who recently received the Distinguished Senior Award from Kent State’s Center for Student Involvement. She said, “Wow, what an experience! From touring iconic properties like The Cosmopolitan, ARIA, Palms, Circa, and Allegiant Stadium, I got a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to create large-scale, immersive guest experiences. Every detail, from the atmosphere to the operations, was intentionally designed to create unforgettable moments. As someone who dreams of creating that same kind of magic through weddings and events, this trip reinforced exactly why I love this industry. Beyond learning, I made memories that will last a lifetime and built friendships I’ll carry with me far beyond this experience.”
Ayris Jones is a senior from Akron in the hospitality and event management program, she said,
“During our visit, we toured major properties, including ARIA Caesars Palace, The Cosmopolitan, Circa, The Palms, and Allegiant Stadium. We explored everything from luxury villas and some of the largest suites on the Strip to casino floors and back-of-house operations. “
“Throughout the week, we learned about surveillance, hotel and lodging operations, gaming and slots, marketing strategy, security, sportsbook management, large-scale event coordination, and professional sports operations at Allegiant Stadium,” Jones said. “My project group also had the opportunity to interview managers within these resorts, gaining insight into their career paths, leadership styles, and day-to-day responsibilities in the industry.”
She said, “This experience has strengthened my professional communication skills, confidence in networking, and understanding of how closely connected departments operate within large-scale hospitality properties. Seeing these operations firsthand reinforced how much strategy, precision, and teamwork go into creating a seamless guest experience.”
“Ending the trip at the Las Vegas sign was a fun moment. But the real takeaway was gaining clarity and excitement about my future in hospitality and food & beverage management,” said Jones.
Yi Yin Lim, a junior international student from Malaysia, studying hospitality and event management, said, “As an international student, it has always been a dream of mine to visit Las Vegas, the “City That Never Sleeps” and I can confidently say it lives up to everything you see in the movies.”
“Coordinating a trip of this scale for 30 students is no small task, yet everything was planned and delivered so seamlessly,” Lim said. “This experience not only broadened my perspective on the hospitality and gaming industry but also strengthened my passion for casino management.”
“A special thank you as well to Vince Sidoti (casino managing executive, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino) and Gianni Toffanello (general manager at Wolfgang Puck) for taking the time to host us and allow our group to conduct interviews for our presentation,” she said, “Their professionalism, leadership, and genuine hospitality left a lasting impression on me. Moments like these are what reaffirmed my decision to pursue this major.”
Lin said, “Overall, it truly was love at first sight with this city. The energy, the operations, the experience-driven atmosphere, everything about it inspires me. Safe to say, I’ll definitely be back in Las Vegas sooner rather than later!”
‘Hardworking, young, good people’
Heiman said that only about 40% of the students in his class are in Kent State’s hospitality program. The rest are from a variety of programs around the university like fashion design, business, analytics and marketing. “And that’s good,” he said, “Because we want to broaden it. Because, you see, when you have these facilities with 4,000 rooms and 8,000 employees, there’s a lot of opportunities for all walks of academic life. There’s entertainment, dance, retail, analysis, engineering, security and, of course, hospitality. It’s all there inside these massive structures. “
“Being at Kent State for 30 years, I can tell you that these people; the young people – they’re good,” Heiman said. “They’re hardworking, young, good people. Good-natured, polite, respectful. And that’s what personally motivates me to keep going.”