Vicki Wicks Named 2025 White Lodging General Manager of the Year

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Author: Abby Lillpop

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University’s White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (Purdue HTM) is proud to congratulate Vicki Wicks, General Manager of the Union Club Hotel, for being named the 2025 White Lodging General Manager of the Year. This prestigious recognition highlights Wicks’ outstanding leadership with White Lodging and her unwavering commitment to shaping the future of hospitality by mentoring Purdue HTM students.

Under Wicks’ guidance, the Union Club Hotel has become a premier experiential learning environment for Purdue HTM students. As the only student-run Autograph Collection Hotel in the world, the hotel provides an unparalleled, hands-on educational experience. Students are deeply immersed in daily hotel operations, from front desk management to food and beverage services, gaining real-world managerial experience that sets them apart in the competitive hospitality industry.

“Vicki’s leadership at the Union Club Hotel has been instrumental in creating a dynamic learning environment for our students,” said Ceridwyn King, White Lodging Services Head of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue. “Through her dedication, our students gain invaluable experience that enhances their education and accelerates their careers.”

One of those students, Isabelle (Isa) Villeda (HTM ’24), now a Restaurant Manager at JW Marriott Austin, credits Wicks with shaping her career path. “I started my relationship with Vicki Wicks back in 2021 when she interviewed me for my first job as an international student. With a backpack full of passion and determination, I also carried a sprinkle of nerves and uncertainty due to the COVID situation. During the interview, we got to know each other, and she offered me the incredible opportunity to be one of the inaugural students of the LAUNCH Program. This program not only gave me a head start in my career but also provided a path I navigated with her as my mentor,” said Villeda. “Her belief in my abilities empowered me to reach my goals, and I am immensely grateful for her support and guidance throughout my journey.”

At the heart of Isa’s success is the LAUNCH Hospitality Immersion Program, an innovative initiative introduced by White Lodging in partnership with Purdue HTM that equips students with the leadership skills and operational expertise needed in today’s fast-paced hospitality industry. This program offers students a unique opportunity to manage real-world hotel operations, providing a significant career jumpstart before graduation. Wicks’s enthusiasm and unwavering leadership have been vital in ensuring the program’s success, fostering the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Since its transformation in 2020, the historic 182-room Union Club Hotel has seamlessly blended Purdue’s rich heritage with modern luxury, earning a coveted spot among Travel + Leisure’s top 500 hotels and resorts worldwide. The hotel’s state-of-the-art amenities and its legacy of excellence make it a cherished landmark on Purdue’s campus and a top choice for visitors worldwide.

Through Wicks’s leadership and White Lodging’s commitment to talent development, the Union Club Hotel continues to serve as a live training ground where students transform classroom knowledge into professional expertise. Her recognition as the 2025 White Lodging General Manager of the Year celebrates her contributions and reinforces Purdue HTM’s mission to cultivate the industry’s brightest talent.