Hoping to learn more about the hospitality and tourism degrees offered at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), I spoke recently with several travel industry stakeholders affiliated with the schools, including travel advisors, hotel association executives and even the host of a travel television program.
While the details of those conversations certainly varied, a key theme quickly emerged in each: The travel industry still faces substantial diversity challenges. And everyone I spoke with sees hospitality and tourism degrees offered at HBCUs as a way to help address some of those issues, in part, by familiarizing more Black students with the career opportunities available in travel.
Introducing Tourism’s Opportunity
Industry veteran Denella Ri'chard — host of the “Traveling With Denella Ri'chard” television series — has worked for more than 25 years in tourism, including time with Hilton and Norwegian Cruise Line, and she said many Black people haven’t been familiar with the wide range of terrific career opportunities available in travel.
“I was on the brand marketing team that launched Hampton by Hilton globally, but when I would tell people, ‘I work for Hilton with the Hampton brand,’ Black people in particular automatically assumed I worked at the front desk, or I must be a maid,” said Ri'chard, who graduated from Southern University. “They did not have any reference point for Black executives in the hospitality and travel industry. They didn't know that leadership — senior leadership — and elevated careers existed for Black people in the hospitality and cruise industry."
Andy Ingraham, president and CEO of the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators & Developers (NABHOOD), sits on an advisory committee for Virginia State University’s Hospitality Management Program. Ingraham told me the hospitality and tourism degree programs at HBCUs are critical in terms of creating a new generation of diverse hospitality leaders.
It’s also a stairway where they can go all the way to the corporate suite.
“It’s also a stairway where they can go all the way to the corporate suite,” Ingraham said, explaining that previous generations in the African-American community often didn’t see opportunities for significant career advancement in travel industry careers.
“Really, there's no glass ceiling,” Ingraham said. “Today, these young people are seeing this opportunity for upward mobility. Maybe they start with a degree. Then they become a front desk manager, or they become a housekeeping manager. And then they are running a select-service hotel with 150 rooms. Then they run a full-service hotel. And next thing you know, they're running a big resort somewhere in the U.S. or the Caribbean.”
The Best HBCU Hospitality and Tourism Programs
Following is a look at some of the standout HBCU hospitality and tourism programs mentioned specifically by travel industry stakeholders.
Delaware State University
Delaware State University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, requiring that students complete two internships and 600 hours of work experience in the travel industry to earn their degree. Students in the program can also elect to pursue a casino concentration, offering expertise in casino management, administration, operation and casino-focused food and beverage coursework, according to the university’s website.
Howard University
Although Howard University does not currently offer a degree in hospitality, students can take advantage of the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership, housed within the university’s School of Business.
The center was founded in 2021 and named after former Marriott president and CEO Arne Sorenson in an effort to create “opportunities for ambitious Howard University students to elevate the industry,” according to the university website. Students can take advantage of the executive-led program through a variety of internships and even on-site executive suite shadowing opportunities, the center’s website says.
Morgan State University
Morgan State University offers both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Hospitality Management, featuring a curriculum focused on business and managerial leadership to prepare students with both theoretical and applied hospitality knowledge and skills, according to the school’s website. Helping students land tourism and hospitality industry jobs for more than three decades, Morgan State’s Hospitality Management program was first launched in 1995.
North Carolina Central University
North Carolina Central University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Administration, aimed specifically at those interested in lodging, food and beverage, convention and visitors’ bureaus, event management, resorts, cruise line and airline careers, according to its website.
The bachelor and master programs had 48 participating students during the 2022-2023 school year and featured a ratio of roughly eight students to one faculty member, according to the school’s website. Thirteen students graduated from North Carolina Central University’s hospitality program in 2023.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
University of Maryland Eastern Shore offers students a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management while providing minors in Culinary Arts, Hotel Administration, Restaurant Management, Tourism Management and Hospitality Technology Management.
The school is also one of just 17 accredited PGA Golf Management university programs in the U.S., preparing students for careers in the golf industry, according to the university’s website. UM Eastern Shore’s hospitality program also offers internship opportunities at Marriott International, Choice Hotels and Baltimore Washington International Airport.
Virginia State University
Virginia State University offers a Bachelor of Science degree in hospitality management, designed for those interested in hotel management, convention and event planning, food and beverage management and human resources positions within the tourism industry.
Recent graduates have landed jobs at Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Marriott International, Hilton and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, according to the school’s website. During the 2022-2023 school year, Virginia State University’s Hospitality Management program was home to 62 students with a faculty-to-student ratio of roughly 10-to-one, the school’s website says. Twelve students graduated with hospitality management degrees from the university in 2023.
