About Us

Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute

Tourism is the second largest industry in Wyoming, generating over $4.9 billion in 2024 and generating $277 million in tax revenue. In addition, tourism is the largest private employment sector in Wyoming, employing over 33,410. In 2018, the University of Wyoming started the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management degree as a partnership with the Haub School and the College of Business. The degree program now boasts over 75 students enrolled. However, more industry support and engagement was identified as a gap through the Strategic Accelerated Review Process (below) under the direction of President Seidel.

Our History  Our mission

Students on rocks studying and snow bikers

History

Through the 2020 UW Strategic Accelerated Review Process the Haub School, in partnership with the College of Business and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, proposed the establishment of WORTH. In 2021, President Seidel officially added WORTH as one of three new strategic initiatives. In January of 2022, WORTH received funding from the Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP), phase I funding. In March of 2022, WORTH officially kicked-off as an initiative. In 2024, throught the generous support of Jay and Karen Kemmerer, WORTH became one of only two named institutes at the University of Wyoming and the first of it's kind in the nation. 

Group talking outside

worth mission

Expand and diversify Wyoming’s economy by supporting the outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality industries.

The Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute achieves its mission by:

  1. Delivering timely and relevant applied research for WORTH industries
  2. Supplying diverse workforce training products and services to students and working industry professionals
  3. Providing statewide engagement across Wyoming.