Top photo: Howard University students with Marriott President and Chief Executive Officer Anthony Capuano during the students' visit to Marriott's headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, Sept. 21, 2026. Photo by Ethan Tian

Howard University undergraduate students pursuing careers in hospitality leadership received an up-close and immersive look inside Marriott International, the world’s largest travel company, with a day-long visit to the company’s global headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland. 

Accompanied by Omari Head, executive director at the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality at Howard University, 20 students embarked on the Sept. 21 visit to the sprawling high-rise building. The students, all Marriott-Sorensen Scholars hailing from different departments and disciplines at Howard, sought direct exposure to Marriott leadership, professional skill building and more during this third year of Howard students visiting Marriott as part of the program. 

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The visit included an overview of Marriott, including the company’s history and its goal of connecting people through the power of travel. It also included a discussion about job opportunities, and a tour of the building with stops in key departments such as innovation, IT, and global development.

Several Marriott leaders gave presentations on their work, including a few Howard alumni. There was also a networking lunch and a fireside chat with Wayne A. I. Frederick (B.S. ’92, M.D. ’94, MBA ’11), interim president, president emeritus, and Charles R. Drew Professor of Surgery, and Anthony Capuano, president and chief executive officer, Marriott. 

Throughout it all, Howard students engaged enthusiastically with Marriott movers and shakers, asking questions, listening to advice, and soaking up wisdom. 

“The one thing I ask you all to do while you’re here,” Marisa Milton, senior vice president for inclusion, Marriott, said at the top of the day, “is to be curious. The folks who made the time to come here today are really open. They’re very excited to meet with you and hear any and all of your questions. It’s a great resource just to be able to ask anything and everything about the hospitality industry and your professional career.” 

The Future Looks Bright 

During the fireside chat, Milton asked Frederick and Capuano what they see when they look into the room full of the next generation of leaders, and what do they think the possibilities are. Frederick said he saw a room full of altruism. 

“This generation is actually the most altruistic generation,” said Frederick. “This generation knows so much about people they’ve never interacted with. They know more about people who don’t look like them, who don’t come from the places they come from, and as a result they have inherent kindness and humanity. They express an altruism making sure those people are taken care of and are respected and treated with dignity.” 

Frederick added: “I’m extremely excited about the future in terms of what this generation is going to bring."

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Capuano was also optimistic about the future as he engaged the Howard students. 

“I’m energized by your interest in this broad set of industries under the umbrella of hospitality,” said Capuano. “We are fundamentally in the human connection business and your recognition of that fact and interest in this set of industries is really encouraging me.” 

Asked by a student what qualities they hope to see in the next generation of workers that they don’t see in current working professionals, Capuano said “I think it is a relatively recent discovery how quickly things we learn become less relevant. So, this idea of being a continuous learner is more prevalent in your generation than in some previous generations.” 

One thing worries Capuano about the next generation in front of him. 

“On the flip side, I worry they are not as effective listeners as they can be and should be, and it’s understandable. Your world is filled with distractions. You’ve got two or three devices beeping. But the ability to set aside those distractions and really be an engaged, active listener is a crucial skill for this generation.” 

Another student asked what they would like to see the next generation improve or change about the service industry. Capuiano said he travels abroad often, and when he returns to the United States, he’s concerned about how the service industry is often discussed. 

“Across so many service industries, people say ‘I’m going to do this until I find a real job’ whereas in many international destinations there is a deep respect and celebration for those who have chosen careers in the service of others. So, what I would ask of this generation is they do everything in their power to underscore and highlight the dignity of a service career.” 

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Another student asked the University president and hospitality CEO how they deal with rejection in the workforce.  

Frederick said when he faced rejection, he learned this: “You have to believe in yourself. You have to have faith that what you’re doing is the right thing. That’s the first thing. You also have to work hard, don’t blame other people, and see what type of skill set you need to add.” 

Core Values Among Key Takeaways 

Jaiyah McFall, a senior interior design major, said her takeaways from the visit included being intentional about what you want out of your career and how you are going to get there, not stressing over everything you will go through to get there, and being rational about her expectations. 

“I think it was good how interactive they were with us and how they asked us how we felt about things and what the younger generation would like to see moving forward,” said McFall, who would like to go into the interior design end of hospitality, designing hotels and restaurants. 

Amare Tiger Hunter, a junior economics major who wants to work in the world of ultra luxury, said the day gave him a real understanding of what hospitality means to the new generation. He appreciated the overviews on education and learning, and perspectives on hospitality.

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“We talked about overall values and how we go into the workspace, how we show up and what it means to have an impact on other peoples’ lives and our own, specifically within hospitality. Gathering all this information and being in the room with amazing leaders showcases what the road can be for us.” 

Destiny Edwards, a senior majoring in marketing, is back for her second year visiting Marriott after participating when she was a first-year student. She hopes to land a role that meets at the intersection of marketing events, sales and communication, as well as brand partnerships. 

“I was expecting to come here and know more than I’m learning, but I’m still learning more than I’d previously known,” said Edwards, who appreciated how core values were expressed throughout the day, among other things. “The presenters did a good job giving dignity to the service industry. I appreciated the notes they were giving us, aspiring professionals. This is knowledge you’re not going to get anywhere else." 

Howard Students Come to Marriott Prepared 

Head said the visit allowed Howard students to see a pillar of the hospitality center come to life.  

“They received overviews from professionals in finance, marketing, sustainability, and design that illustrate the intersections of hospitality across all disciplines. Hospitality companies have learned that talent, similar to their brands, must be grown or acquired. The Center for Hospitality Leadership is incubating curated talent for the hospitality industry of tomorrow.” 

Zusi Airhiavbere (B.A. ’07, MBA ’12 ), category manager/marketing, Marriott, was one of the several presenters for the Howard visit. He said once he and his colleagues at Marriott learned Howard students would be in the building, they pulled together presentations full of information they could use. 

“I think our goal was to make sure they’re all very successful in whatever decisions they make, though at this stage we want to make sure they have the foundations and can begin to learn what it takes to join an organization such as a Marriott,” Airhiavbere said. 

Based on what he saw in the students throughout the day, he said Howard students came prepared, and he believes they will stay that way. 

“Don’t take the foot off the pedal. Continue to stay prepared moving forward. They did their homework to learn more about Marriott as a whole and learn about our different brands and opportunities and where they may be a good fit. That’s a big part of this business,” said Airhiavbere. “And we’ll continue to show why companies such as Marriott continue to recruit people like these bright Howard students.” 

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Kimberly Reed (BBA ’88), managing vice president/human resources, Marriott, said she hopes Howard’s students left the Marriott building with an appreciation for the breadth of opportunity across the hospitality industry. Reed said she has friends who started their hospitality careers in food and beverage who have gone on to serve as general managers, as well as front desk staffers who are now regional or area vice presidents. 

“I think most people have a perception of hospitality that is rooted in one experience or another, maybe thinking about it from a hotel operations background. But even in that, there is so much opportunity and growth that can come out of it,” said Reed, who has worked for Marriott for 35 years. “People underestimate their ability to grow their careers in a variety of different ways, or look at the industry at large, not just from a hotel perspective.” 

Reed also said students should stay open to learning, exploring new opportunities, and be willing to take risks.   

“Don’t think that the one choice they’ve made is the only choice they’ll ever make. I think they’ll be afforded with choices throughout their careers. And the more they explore and learn and the more curious they are, the more choices and the more success they’ll be able to have,” Reed said. 

Sharmell Anderson (B.A. ’99), senior manager/interior design, Marriott, wants the Howard students to know Marriott leaders will carry the students’ names beyond their visit. 

“We are going to speak your names in the rooms you are not in. So, put your best feet forward.” 

Anderson also said when the students travel, they need to recognize “it’s not just about having fun. It’s the culture, it’s the language, it’s your surroundings, it’s everything. Be present in that. It’s all hospitality. It all leads back into it no matter what path you take.” 

She said it’s important to realize you don’t have to start a career making the “big bucks. Start small and figure out what you really like. Get your feet and your fingers wet. Get them dirty. Have the fun.” 

Over the summer, Howard University and The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation announced a $10 million endowed scholarship fund at Howard to support students pursuing leadership excellence in hospitality and other fields. Howard students affiliated with the Center for Hospitality were given priority during the application process.