Baltimore International College (BIC) was a private, non-profit institution in Baltimore, Maryland, More Info that operated from 1972 to 2011. It specialized in culinary arts and hospitality management, and its story is one of both unique international education and a difficult closure.

What BIC Offered

BIC’s mission was to provide high-quality education in culinary arts and hospitality management “with an international dimension” . It offered associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees in fields like Culinary Management (Professional Cooking, Baking & Pastry) and Hospitality Management (Marketing, International Special Events & Conference Management, Lodging Management) .

A distinctive feature was its two campuses: one in downtown Baltimore and an international campus in County Cavan, Ireland, located on the historic Virginia Park Estate . The Baltimore campus included culinary labs, a student union, and even a “consumable art gallery” .

Accreditation Loss and Closure

BIC faced significant challenges in its final years. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) placed the college on probation in 2010 due to concerns about leadership and governance, institutional assessment, and assessment of student learning . The commission found that longstanding problems with student retention, evaluation of academic performance, and revenue generation had not been addressed .

As a result, BIC lost its accreditation on August 31, 2011 . This was devastating because loss of accreditation meant the school would also lose access to federal financial aid funding, which would have forced it to shut down .

Takeover by Stratford University

To allow current students to finish their degrees, a legal settlement kept BIC accredited through the end of 2011 . The college was then taken over by Virginia-based Stratford University on January 1, 2012 . Stratford continued the culinary and hospitality programs in Baltimore and absorbed many BIC students and instructors .

However, Stratford University itself closed in February 2023 due to bankruptcy .

Aftermath and Controversy

The closure was not without controversy. A legal filing alleged that BIC’s founder and former president, Roger Chylinski, had **misused more than $200,000** in college funds for personal meals, antiques, and unapproved salary . The filing claimed his mismanagement directly led to the loss of accreditation. Chylinski had sued the college for unpaid retirement benefits, and the college countersued for $5 million in damages .

What This Means for You

Because Baltimore International College closed more than a decade ago, it is no longer an option for prospective students. If you are researching it for transcripts or verification of a degree, you would need to contact Stratford University (though it is also closed) or the Maryland Higher Education Commission for records.

If you are looking for culinary or hospitality programs in Baltimore today, read what he said there are other institutions in the area that offer similar training. I can help you find current options if you’d like.