New Casino Advancement Program Graduates First Class

Atlantic City, N.J. — Twenty-three of the Atlantic City casino industry’s “rising stars” graduated onMarch 5 as part of the first in-person certificate program created by the Lloyd D.Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism (LIGHT) at Stockton University.

The Integrated Casino Resorts Operations Certificate Program is an eight-work course providing an overview of the casino industry to those interestedin getting their first job in the casinos or moving into higher levels of managementif they are already working at a property, said LIGHT Faculty Director Jane Bokunewicz, who’s also a professor of Hospitality and TourismManagement Studies at Stockton.

“When you work in the casino industry, sometimes you are in one specific area, suchas human resources or food and beverage, and you don’t always get to see the wholebig picture,” she said.

Each week focused on a different area of the casino business — accounting and humanresources, table games operations, slots operations, security and surveillance, regulation,hotel operations, food and beverage and marketing.

“I’ve been in the industry since 1990 and this was very helpful because at the beginningof my career as a security officer, I wasn’t offered this,” said Anita Scott, of Pleasantville,who works at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City. “This gives me a littlemore knowledge about how everything works.”

The certificate has been a dream of Levenson, the CEO of the Cooper Levenson law firm,since he founded LIGHT at Stockton in 2010, Bokunewicz said.

“He’s worked as an attorney in the casino industry since its inception, and he thoughtthe certificate fills a void providing something that’s really needed in the industry,”she said.

When creating the program, Bokunewicz said it was important to have it taught by casinoindustry experts.

“We wanted to give a networking opportunity for the students to meet people from differentorganizations,” she said. “We want them to get the latest information from peoplewho do the job every single day and talk about the challenges the industry is facing.”

That was an important aspect for Dina Capaldi, an assistant security manager at BorgataHotel Casino & Spa.

“I’m big on leadership. I like to hear other leaders speak and how they operate,”said the Winslow Township resident. “I take a little bit from this person, and a littlebit from that person and then you build your own career from bits and pieces of everyoneelse.”

Robert Ambrose, a casino industry professional and consultant, taught the third weekon slots operations and analysis. He appreciated being involved and said the programdelivers a “profound message” to employees.

“This serves as validation for their dedication, fostering confidence as they progresswithin the organization and undertake greater responsibilities,” he said. “This certificateprogram serves as a prime illustration of what can be achieved when these two sectorswork together effectively.”

Samantha Phommalyla couldn’t agree more. The 28-year-old from Egg Harbor Townshipstarted her career in 2018 as a hostess at the Hard Rock and has worked her way upto be the general manager at Kuro, a Japanese restaurant at the casino. She said shewas especially proud since she was nominated to take the class.

“That was really great for me because that means they see something in me. I can buildon my career,” she said. “I’ve always looked at the casino as one team, so this justhelped reaffirm that.”

Several of the participants, including Phommalyla, Capaldi and Scott, had their tuitionpaid for by their employers and many did not have college degrees.

“It means they are willing to put in the time and money for their employees to helpthem build their careers,” Phommalyla said.

And that’s what the course is primarily designed for, Bokunewicz said.

“We said pick your rising stars. The people that have ambitions to move up,” she said.“This will really help them as they get into those higher levels and need to knowother aspects of the business.”

Bokunewicz said LIGHT plans to offer the certificate again next year. The institutealready offers a fully online certified tourism industry professional certificateand is considering creating other industry-focused certificates within Stockton’sSchool of Business.

“The synergy between the hospitality industry and academic institutions is indispensable,”Ambrose said. “It's a symbiotic relationship that has sometimes been underestimated.The potential for collaboration is vast.”