The Graduate Hotel brand is all about college rah-rah. Graduate properties are all built near big universities, with the design of each hotel uniquely reflecting the history and character of the local academic institution.
This summer, in anticipation of a September opening, the Graduate by Hilton Auburn in Alabama itself became an academic institution. It hosted the Graduate Prep School, a five-day course designed to fill positions while providing meaningful employment opportunities to underserved communities.
The idea started off as a brainchild of AJ Capital Partners executives Kevin Osterhaus and Thomas Ostrom. Osterhaus, who, after the Hilton acquisition of the brand in March, is now president of Hilton’s global lifestyle brands, explained that the concept was a “unique initiative designed to offer the Auburn community the opportunity to develop essential skills” necessary to succeed in the hospitality business. From the conception, the idea was to emphasize community engagement.
“Our involvement with Auburn University and other local associations and nonprofits allowed us to quickly establish trust and credibility among a new market and community of potential team members," Osterhaus said.
Origins of the Graduate Prep School
As Graduate Hotels started staffing up for its outpost in Auburn, Tanya Black, the property’s general manager, explained how the idea was translated into action. “When we were planning the opening, we realized there was an opportunity to make a significant impact on our community through our recruitment process,” she said. “We thought, why don’t we do something in advance of the opening that would benefit the community, such as doing a prep school and providing education for potential hires?”
While Auburn University’s Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management was a natural recruiting target, Black wanted to expand the search beyond academia. She did so by reaching out to the local community through social media and good old-fashioned flyers. More significantly, the Graduate Auburn partnered with Our House, a local non-profit that works with families who live in subsidized housing to attract recruits. Through these various efforts, the freshman Graduate Prep class consisted of 15 students, drawn from both the university and from the community at large.
The Syllabus
The Graduate Prep School program was a five-day immersive experience hosted at The Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management at Auburn University in July. Tuition was free, thanks to contributions from Hilton, AJ Capital, Graduate Hotels and local partners including Ranger Station, Paul Blair and the Pihakis Restaurant Group.
“Participants engaged in a comprehensive curriculum covering all aspects of the guest experience," Osterhaus noted. "From front desk management, housekeeping, and food and beverage services to exploring personal leadership styles, students gained invaluable insights and hands-on experience through interactive workshops and practical training sessions.”
Black added that the agenda also included sessions on music programming, scent and guest experience, hotel lingo, and brand marketing. Most classes were taught by the Graduate Hotel management team, although a few special guest speakers were brought in to share their wisdom, as well.
During the week, there was a dedicated strategy to build camaraderie and teamwork among the students, who came from widely-varying socio-economic and educational backgrounds. According to Carter Copeland, currently a student at the Horst Schulze School and a member of the Graduate Prep School graduating class, the mix was beneficial to everyone.
“At first, there was a bit of nervousness among the students,” he said, ”but they did a good job of having lots of ice breakers and Q & A scenarios to get past any discomfort.” Copeland said that during the course of the week, friendships were cultivated and continue among those now working at the hotel.
Partnership with Our House
According to Black, one of the key program success drivers was the partnership with Our House, which recruited and vetted five Graduate Prep School students. René Waldrop, director of Our House, highlighted the significance of this collaboration. “Our House has always been committed to providing opportunities for our community, and this was a special one,” she said. “I feel like this was a great partnership. The program offered a path to stable employment for many of the individuals we serve, particularly moms, who are looking for good, stable jobs.” But it was more than that, she said. “This program opened their eyes to the possibilities of jobs with upward mobility. For the families we serve, that’s huge.”
Top Grades
Of the 15 participants who completed the program, all were offered jobs and 12 accepted positions ranging from guest services to housekeeping. Copeland, who now works as a guest services representative for the hotel while continuing his studies, reflected on the experience. “The program was incredible,” he said. “ It was more than just theoretical learning; we had practical sessions where we learned by doing. The integration of real-world scenarios with classroom learning provided a solid foundation and helped build confidence.”
Moreover, noted Copeland, “One of the best aspects of the program was how it brought people together. By the end of the week, we were more than just classmates; we were a supportive network. And coming into a new job with people you already know makes the transition into the workplace so much smoother and easier for everyone.”
This article was originally published in the October edition of Hotel Management magazine. Subscribe here.