Bert Van Hoof, director of the Penn State School of Hospitality Management, is stepping down next spring after six years on the job to join the school’s faculty. A search committee from the school is now looking for a replacement to head the program.

Penn State’s highly regarded hospitality program has 27 full-time faculty members, 750 undergraduates and about 20 graduate students. The program is housed in the university’s Mateer Building and includes a café, a Center for Food Innovation and the Hospitality Leadership Institute. Under Dr. Van Hoof’s leadership, the school expanded its outreach to several international partners and broadened its curriculum to include courses on gaming, social responsibility and sustainability.

Dr. Neil Sharkey, associate dean for research and graduate education, chairs the search committee that includes faculty from the school, alumni, students and staff. Review of applications opens Nov. 15 and continues until the position is filled. A department website includes all relevant information on the search, including instructions on submitting a nomination.