HTM Collaborates with Howard University for a Professional Development Experience in Washington, DC

Two millennial women female friends sitting outdoors eating takeaway food, laughing and having fun. Food delivery and takeout.

Author: Abby Lillpop

An elite group of students traveled to the nation’s capital for a transformative professional development experience made possible through support from a J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation grant. Ten students representing Purdue’s White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and ten from Howard University’s Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership collaborated, engaged, and learned together while meeting with prestigious industry professionals. 

One of the most memorable moments of the trip was meeting with David Marriott, the board chairman at Marriott International. His insights, experiences, and words of wisdom left a lasting impression on the students, providing them with valuable guidance for their future careers.   

Students took a guided tour of the headquarters, heard from many highly regarded speakers within the company, and then participated in a Strength Finders Workshop led by Christelle Mutambo, assistant director of the Roger C. Stewart Leadership and Professional Development Department at Purdue. The workshop laid a foundation to help participants identify and understand their strengths, which will be elaborated on through further professional development opportunities this summer and fall. These tools will be valuable for students to gain insight into their potential career paths. 

On this inaugural trip, students met with Malcolm Shorter, Assistant Secretary for Administration, and Linda Cronin, Deputy Director of the Office of Tribal Affairs, at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Students gained valuable insight into how their experiences with food, finance, hospitality, planning, and marketing translate to a diverse portfolio of career opportunities with the USDA.

Thanks to the grant funding from the Marriott Foundation, this trip will be an annual opportunity for selected students. However, the program is about more than just the trip alone. Professional development opportunities will continue with 1-on-1 strength coaching over the summer, further development opportunities this fall, and continued networking with the Howard University students when they visit Purdue for the Spirit of Hospitality Summit in October.