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The story of Hilton began in 1919, when Conrad N. Hilton purchased The Mobley, a local hotel in Cisco, Texas. In 1925, he opened the first Hilton-branded hotel, a golden 14-story monument in Dallas, Texas, to the public. Hilton — now with 5,700 hotels worldwide — has grown into an award-winning empire celebrated for its excellent hospitality, the plushest of pillows, and delectable dining.
Through great leadership and economic literacy, Hilton Hotels has maintained its success through the Great Depression and beyond, even after the death of its founder. If you have dreams of achieving the same, then you’re in luck. Conrad N. Hilton gave back as much as he made.
In 1969, he donated US$1.5 million to the University of Houston to establish the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership. Today, the Hilton College’s hospitality programs rank among the top in the world.
Source: University of Houston
A full-service hotel as your classroom
What is the best part about Hilton College’s origins with a hotel tycoon? It’s the only hospitality program with an internationally branded full-service hotel attached to the college. This year, the US$30-million, 64,000-sf expansion and 68,000-sf renovation of the existing Hilton Hotel won the Houston Business Journal’s Landmark Award.
Here, as many as 70% of staff are students who get neck-deep into guest service, hotel operations, banquet and restaurant service, and so much more. Practical, hands-on, and real-world, these are the types of experiences that will prepare you to excel, lead and increase your earning potential in this dynamic industry.
And when you’re not applying knowledge through industry-related work experience, the academic year is filled with loads of student-led events and a career fair every spring and fall. There are many opportunities for you to find internships, full-time jobs, supervisory, and more. You can refer to the University Career Services for more help in the job-search process and one-on-one counseling. Or join the ten student hospitality organizations, all of which are affiliated with national professional associations.
Facilities are just as extensive. The new Sysco Student Kitchen, a US$1.3 million project, is a real-world kitchen space with four state-of-the-art cooking stations, equipment, and technology.
“This ‘extreme makeover’ of our original kitchen allows our students to learn using equipment that meets industry standards,” said Dr. Mary Dawson, associate dean for Academic Affairs. “The open-kitchen concept provides an environment of collaboration for the instructor and students, and the technology significantly increases our teaching capacity and allows us to broadcast more demonstrations to multiple venues simultaneously.”
Other facilities include the Hospitality and Analytics Lab, and the Spec’s Beverage & Food Appreciation Laboratory.
Source: University of Houston
Degrees with real and practical value
The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated tier-one research university, recognized by The Princeton Review as one of the best in the US for undergraduate studies.
And Hilton College is home to what’s considered some of the best hospitality programs in the world: BS in Global Hospitality Leadership, MS in Hospitality Management, Dual MS/MBA, MS in Global Hospitality Business, Executive Master of Hospitality Management, Doctorate in Global Hospitality Leadership, and PhD in Hospitality Administration.
If you’re keen on getting a headstart on your future career, you can earn a BS in Global Hospitality Leadership and an MS in Hospitality Management within five years with the BS/MS Plan. That’s what Grace Garcia is doing right now.
“I chose the four plus one-degree program not only because it’s a great value but because I thought it was a really smart thing to do,” says Garcia. “I’ll be 22 when I graduate with my master’s, and this will really give me a competitive edge.”
Flexibility is one of Hilton College’s winning traits. Alongside letting students like Garcia choose the duration of their degree, it also allows them to customise where and how they’ll complete their degree.
The college has launched two new online programs that’ll bring quality education to you, no matter where you are in the world. The first is the new online BS in Global Hospitality Leadership program which is customizable to your needs and preferred schedule, designed to enhance your global leadership skills. The second – the Doctorate in Global Hospitality Leadership – is set to welcome its first cohort in the fall of 2025. It’s a three-year program tailored for professionals and executives seeking to advance their careers through real-world research.
You’re set to find your place in this diverse industry whichever program you choose.
“Working in the industry, I’ve met so many successful people who went to Hilton College,” says graduate Dylan Dornbusch. “Seeing their success made me want the same education — the industry is exploding, and the opportunities to lead are limitless!”
Dornbusch is right — after all, Hilton College has an alumni network of over 8,500 members worldwide. The college has an 86% job placement rate, with graduates going into hotel management, event management, wine and spirits, and even opening their own businesses. They’ve been hired by some of the most recognizable names in the world. Think Marriott International, Walt Disney World, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, Italiano’s, and the list goes on.
So, if you’d like to follow in their footsteps and thrive in an in-demand industry, click here to learn more about Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership today.
