TAMPA — McKibbon Hospitality and the University of South Florida’s School of Hospitality
and Sport Management announced its third class of an interactive learning experience
designed to
give hospitality students a competitive edge through hands-on shadowing and mentorship
from
seasoned industry professionals.
McKibbon’s Cooperative Learning Program builds on the strong partnership between USF and McKibbon, which began in 2021 with the creation of an innovative hospitality teaching lab.
“We are beyond pleased to introduce another opportunity for USF students to immerse
themselves in our day-to-day operations, gaining an invaluable firsthand look at what
it takes to
operate a hotel and become an industry leader,” said Randy Hassen, chief executive
officer of
McKibbon Hospitality.
Beginning this month, McKibbon has welcomed four USF students into its Cooperative
Learning
Program. Over the course of two semesters, the selected students will shadow leaders
throughout McKibbon’s portfolio of Tampa-based hotels and its corporate office, immersing
themselves in a variety of real-world working environments that directly complement
their
studies.
Students will rotate through McKibbon’s different departments and properties, working
closely with department heads and assisting with a variety of projects that expose
them to the
multifaceted world of hotel and restaurant management — while also helping them chart
their
future career path.
"This program represents the very best of experiential learning — where our students
take
classroom concepts and apply them directly in professional settings," said Lydia Hanks, director of the School of Hospitality and Sport Management in the USF Muma College of Business.
"Through our continued partnership with McKibbon Hospitality, we are preparing the
next generation of hospitality leaders with the knowledge, skills, and real-world
experience to thrive in a competitive global
industry," she said.
Since its inception, numerous USF undergraduate and graduate students have completed
on-the-
job hospitality training in McKibbon’s portfolio of more than 95 hotels nationwide,
representing leading brands such as Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG.
McKibbon and USF have also collaborated on international recruitment efforts, welcoming dozens of students from around the world to advance their studies with real-world hotel experience.