Sands Hospitality Immersion Program: Empowering Diverse Future Leaders in Hospitality
Las Vegas Sands and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) have announced the selection of 15 students from 10 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the country to participate in the second annual Sands Hospitality Immersion Program, scheduled for June 16-22 in Las Vegas.
The Sands Hospitality Immersion Program, created by Sands and TMCF—the only national organization dedicated exclusively to representing the Black college community—aims to foster interest in the travel, tourism, and leisure sectors by providing HBCU students with an in-depth look at the Las Vegas hospitality industry.
The selected students, who are rising juniors and seniors, come from a variety of institutions: Joshua Lee from Alabama A&M University; Waneysha Louissaint from Bethune-Cookman University; Tori Carlisle from Coppin State University; Fatima Diallo, Eli Pearson, Salimah Scott, and Morayo Adeyemi from Howard University; Mya Mendoza and Denise White-Scott from Morgan State University; Hizikiel Holloman and Trevor Elliott from North Carolina A&T State University; Christian Nettles from North Carolina Central University; Zora Cunningham from Tuskegee University; Malaysia Jones from Virginia Union University; and Darryl Quick, Jr. from Winston-Salem University.
These students, who are pursuing majors such as business, computer science, communications, finance, hospitality management, information technology, marketing, sales, and supply chain management, will receive a comprehensive introduction to the travel, tourism, and leisure industry. The program aims to inspire them to consider careers in one of the world’s fastest-growing employment sectors.
Zora Cunningham, a marketing major from Tuskegee University, highlighted the value of the experience: “As a sales and marketing major, this program will help me better understand customer engagement. Learning about this essential aspect of hospitality will allow me to apply these strategies to broader marketing efforts. Additionally, the program will help me build valuable connections, gain practical insights, and develop a deeper appreciation for personalized service and attention to detail.”
The program is being organized by the Harrah College of Hospitality’s Sands Center for Professional Development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It includes on-campus learning sessions with faculty, industry speakers, and interactive activities such as a cooking competition led by executive chefs. Participants will also receive exclusive tours of integrated resorts, convention spaces, and sports venues.
Additionally, students will visit Sands' corporate headquarters to hear from professionals who will share their experiences across various disciplines, offering insights into the diverse professional opportunities within the hospitality industry.
The travel, tourism, and leisure industry is experiencing significant job growth and offers a wide range of career opportunities beyond traditional roles in hotel operations or restaurants, including positions in finance, marketing, sales, human resources, information technology, legal services, and other professional fields.
“The Sands Hospitality Immersion is a transformative initiative designed to give HBCU students unparalleled access and exposure to the dynamic field of hospitality. This program not only broadens their career horizons but also equips them with the essential skills and networks needed to thrive in a competitive industry. By fostering a deeper understanding of hospitality, we are empowering the next generation of leaders to drive innovation and excellence in this vital sector,” said Tristin Rainey, senior manager of learning and talent at TMCF.
Sands launched the Sands Hospitality Immersion Program as a component of the Sands Cares global community engagement initiative. This program is one of several education and workforce development efforts by the company, which also include partnerships with higher education institutions, scholarships, on-site and industry-supported training for students and hospitality professionals, and mentorship from company leaders.
Ron Reese, the senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs who leads corporate responsibility initiatives at Sands, stated, “The Sands Hospitality Immersion Program supports two key objectives: developing a highly skilled, diverse workforce in the hospitality sector and creating opportunities for young people from traditionally underrepresented groups. We aim for this distinctive experience to encourage these talented students to explore the numerous career possibilities within the hospitality industry.”
Click here to know more about the Sands Cares community engagement program.
The Sands Hospitality Immersion Program, created by Sands and TMCF—the only national organization dedicated exclusively to representing the Black college community—aims to foster interest in the travel, tourism, and leisure sectors by providing HBCU students with an in-depth look at the Las Vegas hospitality industry.
The selected students, who are rising juniors and seniors, come from a variety of institutions: Joshua Lee from Alabama A&M University; Waneysha Louissaint from Bethune-Cookman University; Tori Carlisle from Coppin State University; Fatima Diallo, Eli Pearson, Salimah Scott, and Morayo Adeyemi from Howard University; Mya Mendoza and Denise White-Scott from Morgan State University; Hizikiel Holloman and Trevor Elliott from North Carolina A&T State University; Christian Nettles from North Carolina Central University; Zora Cunningham from Tuskegee University; Malaysia Jones from Virginia Union University; and Darryl Quick, Jr. from Winston-Salem University.
These students, who are pursuing majors such as business, computer science, communications, finance, hospitality management, information technology, marketing, sales, and supply chain management, will receive a comprehensive introduction to the travel, tourism, and leisure industry. The program aims to inspire them to consider careers in one of the world’s fastest-growing employment sectors.
Zora Cunningham, a marketing major from Tuskegee University, highlighted the value of the experience: “As a sales and marketing major, this program will help me better understand customer engagement. Learning about this essential aspect of hospitality will allow me to apply these strategies to broader marketing efforts. Additionally, the program will help me build valuable connections, gain practical insights, and develop a deeper appreciation for personalized service and attention to detail.”
The program is being organized by the Harrah College of Hospitality’s Sands Center for Professional Development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It includes on-campus learning sessions with faculty, industry speakers, and interactive activities such as a cooking competition led by executive chefs. Participants will also receive exclusive tours of integrated resorts, convention spaces, and sports venues.
Additionally, students will visit Sands' corporate headquarters to hear from professionals who will share their experiences across various disciplines, offering insights into the diverse professional opportunities within the hospitality industry.
The travel, tourism, and leisure industry is experiencing significant job growth and offers a wide range of career opportunities beyond traditional roles in hotel operations or restaurants, including positions in finance, marketing, sales, human resources, information technology, legal services, and other professional fields.
“The Sands Hospitality Immersion is a transformative initiative designed to give HBCU students unparalleled access and exposure to the dynamic field of hospitality. This program not only broadens their career horizons but also equips them with the essential skills and networks needed to thrive in a competitive industry. By fostering a deeper understanding of hospitality, we are empowering the next generation of leaders to drive innovation and excellence in this vital sector,” said Tristin Rainey, senior manager of learning and talent at TMCF.
Sands launched the Sands Hospitality Immersion Program as a component of the Sands Cares global community engagement initiative. This program is one of several education and workforce development efforts by the company, which also include partnerships with higher education institutions, scholarships, on-site and industry-supported training for students and hospitality professionals, and mentorship from company leaders.
Ron Reese, the senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs who leads corporate responsibility initiatives at Sands, stated, “The Sands Hospitality Immersion Program supports two key objectives: developing a highly skilled, diverse workforce in the hospitality sector and creating opportunities for young people from traditionally underrepresented groups. We aim for this distinctive experience to encourage these talented students to explore the numerous career possibilities within the hospitality industry.”
Click here to know more about the Sands Cares community engagement program.
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