MEDIA, PA — Dr. Joy Dickerson, a longtime educator and leader in hospitality studies, has been honored with the 2025 Howard B. Meek Award by the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (ICHRIE). The award, presented at ICHRIE’s international conference on June 20 in Indianapolis, is the organization’s highest individual honor, recognizing lifetime achievement and service to hospitality education.
Dickerson, who currently serves as a liaison for Delaware County Community College’s Culinary Arts and Hospitality Studies program, has dedicated more than three decades to advancing hospitality education. She previously held faculty and administrative positions at Delaware County Community College (DCCC), Widener University, and the Culinary Institute of America.
Her current role includes helping lead the development of DCCC’s new Southeast Center in Drexel Hill. Scheduled to open in January 2026, the multimillion-dollar facility will feature two commercial kitchens and a large demonstration classroom designed to expand access to culinary and hospitality education in Delaware and Chester Counties. In addition to Drexel Hill, DCCC offers courses in Phoenixville and at its main campus in Marple Township.
Over the years, Dickerson has developed undergraduate and graduate programs focused on leadership and hands-on learning. In 2018, she launched the first Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management at the Culinary Institute of America. She also served as ICHRIE’s president during the pandemic, guiding the organization through a period of significant restructuring.
“I am so humbled, honored and grateful to be the recipient of this award,” Dickerson said. “I love this inspiring global community of hospitality and tourism educators, researchers, and industry leaders.”
She added, “I am excited that DCCC’s Culinary and Hospitality program expanded to Phoenixville this year, and that a beautiful new facility is set to open in January 2026 in Drexel Hill—bringing our exceptional instructors and courses to new locations accessible to more students in Delaware and Chester Counties.”
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