Celebrating
OUR COMMUNITY
ALUMNI SUCCESS STORIES
WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
The Hospitality Management pro - gram may be young, but its alumni are already making a meaningful impact across the hospitality indus - try. Graduates are building careers in hotels and resorts, food and beverage leadership, events, sales, corporate hospitality, and emerging business-fo - cused roles that extend beyond tradi - tional pathways. What distinguishes these early suc - cesses is not just placement, but pro- gression. Alumni are earning trust quickly, taking on responsibility early, and advancing into leadership roles that reflect both operational skill and business acumen. Alumni are building careers across the Southeast and beyond, with grad - uates working in major hospitality markets across the United States and in select international locations. From resort destinations to urban business
hubs, alumni are contributing to guest experience, operations, revenue, and leadership at a wide range of organi - zations. Some alumni roles across the industry include: Assistant General Manager, luxury and full-service hotels Event sales and event operations manager, national hospitality brands Food and beverage director, re- sort and destination properties Revenue and operations analyst, hospitality and investment orga - nizations Guest experience and operations manager, boutique and lifestyle hospitality groups
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROGRAM
A NIGHT THAT BRINGS THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER
“My degree didn’t just prepare me to enter the workforce–it
equipped me with the ability to grow, take on leadership roles, and contribute meaningfully to my teams and the communities I serve.” Faith Affolder Winnie, Class of 2023, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement for 1885 Grill
At the heart of the Hospitality Man - agement program is a community defined by commitment, generosity, and shared purpose. Students, alumni, faculty, industry partners, and sup - porters have come together to build something meaningful in a remark- ably short period of time. This section celebrates the people who have shaped the program’s cul - ture and success, and whose contri - butions continue to open doors for future generations.
Keynote speakers inspire the students and upcoming graduates to make their mark on the industry. Guests have included William Pate, President and CEO of the Atlanta Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and Stephanie Fischer, President and CEO of the Georgia Restaurant Association. The gala also serves as a moment of recognition. Awards honor individ - uals and organizations whose leader - ship, mentorship, and generosity have made a lasting impact on students and the program as a whole. Accep - tance speeches often focus less on accolades and more on relationships that brought honorees where they are, reinforcing the collaborative culture that defines hospitality.
The annual Hospitality Gala has quickly become a signature tradi - tion, bringing students, alumni, fac- ulty, and industry partners together to celebrate excellence and invest in the future. More than an elegant evening, the gala reflects the spirit of the program itself. Students play an active role in planning and executing the event, gaining hands-on experience in event management while delivering a pol - ished, professional experience for guests. From logistics to guest flow to presentation, the evening showcases what hospitality education looks like in action.
ALUMNI IN ACTION
SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Graduates are consistently recognized for their professionalism, prepared- ness, and ability to contribute from day one. Several alumni who began as interns were entrusted with operational responsibility early in their roles, leading to full-time offers and accel - erated advancement. Others have dis- tinguished themselves within man - agement training programs, earning recognition for leadership, commu- nication, and decision-making under pressure. Employers frequently note alumni’s ability to balance service excellence with business awareness, manage teams effectively, and approach chal - lenges with confidence. These early career achievements reinforce the program’s focus on experiential learn - ing, structured professional develop- ment, and industry alignment.
Accounting 4%
Rev. MGT. 2%
Admin. 6%
INVESTING IN STUDENT POTENTIAL Access and opportunity are central to the Hospitality Management pro - gram’s mission. Scholarships play a critical role in supporting students as they balance coursework, profession - al experience, and personal responsi- bilities.
Asset MGT. 2%
Among the most meaningful sources of support is the Michael A. Leven and Lee Dushoff AAHOA Scholar - ship for Compassionate Leadership. This scholarship recognizes students who demonstrate academic excel - lence, leadership potential, and a commitment to service, reinforcing the program’s values while reducing financial barriers. For recipients, the impact is immedi- ate and lasting. Scholarship support allows students to pursue internships, engage fully in experiential learning, and focus on academic and profes- sional growth. It also contributes to stronger outcomes at graduation, positioning students for long-term success in the hospitality industry.
SALES 23%
150
Corporate 6%
SCHOLARSHIPS
Events 6%
Through generous support from industry partners, alumni, and friends of the program, scholar- ship funding has expanded steadi- ly over the past five years. This growth reflects confidence in the program and a shared commitment to developing the next generation of hospitality leaders.
0
‘21
‘22 ‘23 ‘24
‘25
F&B 15%
Operations 23%
IT 2%
HR 13%
16
17
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