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If there’s one thing Gina Grenyo, Jignil Shah, and Victoria Wooten share, it’s a love for creating memorable experiences for others. This drive led them to pursue careers in hospitality, but they didn’t choose just any institution to help them turn their passion into a profession — they chose the University of Houston’s Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership.
Hilton College‘s numbers speak for themselves: its 9,526 alumni are spread across more than 50 countries. You can find graduates working in almost every corner of the industry, from hotels and restaurants to events and tourism.
Here’s how Hilton College shaped Grenyo, Shah, and Wooten‘s success in the hospitality industry.
Close to nine in 10 (86%) of Hilton College graduates secure jobs upon graduation. Source: Hilton College
Gina Grenyo
Grenyo, a student from Kenosha, Wisconsin, has dreamed of running her own hotel ever since she was four years old. Joining Hilton College has only made her appreciate the tiny details of what it really takes to treat visitors and guests generously even more.
“Professor Agnes L. DeFranco in Systems of Accounts makes accounting easy. She has also been a constant advocate, introducing me to financial opportunities like the CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) fellowship I’m currently completing,” says the student in the Global Hospitality Leadership – Lodging Track.
Meanwhile, she’s “learned a great deal about analyzing STR reports and revenue management” with Professor Tucker Johnson in Lodging Operations Management.
She has taken advantage of numerous opportunities to apply what she’s learned from coursework in the real world. “I represented Hilton College at the Young Hospitality Summit in Switzerland, where I networked with students from around the world and completed a business challenge on sustainability. I’ve also toured hotels in New York, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.”
Students like Grenyo have a full suite of support throughout their time at the college. “Nearly every course has guest speakers, often high-level executives, for example Doug Brooks, former CEO and President of Brinker International,” she says. “The college regularly hosts career development events too, such as the semesterly Eric’s Club Lecture.”
Another resource is the Center for Student Success (CSS), which helps students plan their classes, secure internships, and explore career opportunities. Financial aid are available as well. “My education is fully funded by the Tier One scholarship, Honors College scholarships, and Hilton College scholarships. I am deeply grateful for Hilton College’s support, as without them, I would not be where I am today,” says Grenyo.
Jignil Shah
Shah’s interest in hospitality was sparked by his multicultural upbringing; he was born in India and raised in Thailand. His journey took him to Hotel and Restaurant Management at Hilton College, where he specialized in Strategy, Innovation, and Data Analysis. “I chose Hilton College for its globally competitive program and perfect balance of classroom education with real-world experience,” he says.
But what truly made his time special was the supportive community. “Being in Houston, the university has students and faculty from all walks of life,” he says. “All students receive equal support, whether it was time with expert advisors and professors or access to student facilities.”
The skills Shah gained, including curiosity, collaboration, and communication, were invaluable in launching his career. At Hilton College’s career fairs, he connected with Marriott International, leading to a spot in their Voyage program.
“Networking with recruiters and attending their presentations gave me insight into what they were looking for,” he explains. “When the time came to apply, I polished my resume and practiced my interview skills with Hilton College’s career resources.”
That preparation paid off. Today, Shah is a Revenue Manager at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, focusing on leisure travel, inventory management, and special projects to maximize revenue.
From Gourmet Night to Corks and Forks, Hilton College regularly hosts large-scale events for students to make lifelong friends. Source: Hilton College
Victoria Wooten
Wooten’s passion for cooking first led her to an associate’s degree in culinary arts. However, she realized she wanted more from her college experience, which brought her to Hilton College.
Among her many courses, accounting and finance left the biggest impression. “They challenged me academically and provided real-world insights into what it takes to succeed in the industry,” she says. “I’ve grown to enjoy these classes because the professors create a supportive environment that makes it easy for everyone to excel.”
When professors have your back, students feel confident to aim higher. Wooten, for example, has taken on various leadership roles. “I am the Treasurer for the Hilton College Ambassadors, Director of Finance for the Texas Restaurant Association Cougar Chapter, Kitchen Manager for Gourmet Night, and a member of the Dean’s Undergraduate Student Advisory Council,” she says.
These experiences have strengthened her critical thinking and creativity skills, which are essential for managing finances and planning events. Looking ahead, Wooten is “eager to explore different areas of the restaurant and food service industry,” she says. And through Hilton College’s career fairs and networking opportunities, she has already gained a head start. “Some of my professors have introduced me to potential postgraduate job opportunities.”
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