Alumnus Appointed Dean of CIC

Nathan Rex grew up in Columbia, SC, surrounded by successful educators, including his parents and stepparents.  

But the 40-year-old, newly-appointed dean of the Culinary Institute of Charleston at TTC says he didn’t necessarily set out to follow in his parents’ footsteps.

“Like so many high school graduates, I had no idea what I wanted to do at 18,” he said.

After graduating from Richland Northeast High School in 2000, he decided to attend College of Charleston and major in business administration.

In his first semester, he received three D’s and an F.        

“I just wasn’t ready for college,” he admits. “I was put on academic probation and then academic suspension. They gave me a way back in, but my heart wasn’t in it.”

At the time, Rex was happily working in the food and beverage scene in Charleston, and once he took a moment to fully realize just how comfortable he was in the industry, he decided to enroll in Trident Technical College’s culinary program, not yet officially named the Culinary Institute of Charleston (CIC).

“As soon as I started, I could tell this was going to be a different experience. I was immediately greeted with open arms and open doors,” said Rex, “My instructors, especially Michael Saboe and Paul Teehan, were just as passionate about the success of their students as they were about the subjects they were teaching. Even after I graduated, they remained my mentors for many years.”

While studying at TTC, Rex received a TTC Foundation scholarship and upon graduation, he received the Hospitality and Tourism Management Merit Award, an annual award given to one exemplary associate degree graduate, nominated by their instructors, in each academic division.

“I was lucky to have support at home, said Rex, “But I felt so validated when I received the awards. It reinforced that I was on the right path for my future.”

After graduation from TTC, Rex went on to complete his Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management from the University of South Carolina; and an MBA with a concentration in finance from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  

He eventually became resort manager for the 3,000-room luxury property, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. His hospitality experience also includes positions as the director of front office at the Ravella Resort, assistant executive housekeeper and assistant front desk manager at the MGM Grand and front office manager at the Platinum Hotel.  

While in Las Vegas, Rex began teaching Hotel Management as an adjunct for CIC. 

He said, “I began to realize that my future path in this industry was more complex. I enjoyed taking care of people and providing exceptional customer service, but I loved coaching and mentoring others and helping them reach their career goals.” 

In 2015, Rex pursued the position of department head for Hospitality and Tourism Management at CIC and was hired that spring. 

When he returned to the college, and to Charleston, he said it felt like a homecoming. 

“I got to work with my mentors, whose doors were still wide open, and I found myself in a position to pay it forward,” said Rex. 

Now Rex volunteers on TTCF scholarship committee and says it is very rewarding, especially as a former recipient.

“I have learned so much about the needs of our students. The struggles and obstacles they face to get their education sometimes seem impossible,” says Rex, “But they are supported here. Our faculty go out of their way to make sure students are set up for success.” 

He continues, “It’s so important that students know that they have at least one person they can go to, someone who will support them and cheer them on. How many students come to TTC without even one person in their corner? 

That’s why he participates in the TTC Foundation Campus Campaign every year: so that more students can receive help and support when they need it.  

“Culinary and hospitality students have always needed knife sets and uniforms, but now we have students who are food insecure or possibly homeless,” said Rex, “I give to the campaign because I personally received assistance and support, and because every single one of our students also deserve that chance.”

He and his wife, Lene, also a TTC alum, have three children. A son, Wylen, 19 and a TTC alum attending Clemson and two daughters, Jazmyn, 9, and Izabella, 7.

The irony of ending up in the field of education is not lost on Rex, or any of his parents.

 “I get it now and understand how fulfilling it is to work with students,” he says, “I just didn’t see the writing on the wall right away.”

7/13/2022/staff