Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

06/03/2026

Ready to level up your career in hospitality? 🌍✨

Join our Virtual Info Session to learn about Hilton College’s online graduate programs:
🎓 Executive Master of Hospitality Management

🎓 Doctorate in Global Hospitality Leadership

📅 Monday, June 15
⏰ 11 a.m. to Noon CST
💻 Online

Get the details on admissions, curriculum and how these programs fit into your busy schedule.

🔗 Register here: https://www.uh.edu/hilton-college/forms/machform/view.php?id=554058

06/02/2026

A huge congratulations to one of our own, hospitality entrepreneur Jeremy Wladis ('86), for receiving the prestigious Distinguished Service Award at the 71st University of Houston Alumni Awards! 🐾

As a proud alumnus of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership and an Eric’s Club member, Jeremy perfectly embodies the kind of dedicated leadership and service that elevates the whole Coog community.

Beyond his incredible success as Founder and President of The Restaurant Group, developing culinary concepts across the country, he has dedicated over 30 years to the UH Alumni Association Foundation – New York Alumni Network. We are so proud of his impact on mentorship and regional engagement.

🌟 The Honor: Distinguished Service Award Recipient, 71st UH Alumni Awards
🍴 The Career: Founder & President, The Restaurant Group (developing concepts nationwide)
❤️ The Commitment: 30+ years of mentorship and service in the New York Alumni Network

Please join us in celebrating Jeremy’s decades of exceptional leadership, entrepreneurship and unwavering University of Houston pride!

05/28/2026

"Cream rises to the top." 🥛✨ Iconic Houston chef and Hilton College alum Kaiser Lashkari recently took his kitchen wisdom to a global audience!

Chef Kaiser was interviewed by Fatima Aslam for Pakistan Times USA and Hum News International’s "Community Connect," broadcasting across both the U.S. and Pakistan.

He touched on how his Hilton College education laid the groundwork for his culinary career, and shared the secret ingredients behind his legendary restaurant, Himalaya (which fittingly means "highest peak of taste"):

❤️ Love & Quality: How his family puts immense care into every dish, refusing to compromise on quality or quantity, all for a fair price.

🌱 Healthy Choices: A look into eating for better health, balancing blood sugar and making better lifestyle shifts.

💼 Career Wisdom: His must-hear advice for anyone climbing the ladder — stay away from negative workplace politics, work with absolute honesty and never take shortcuts.

Chef Kaiser credits a Hilton College professor for teaching him that hard work never goes unrecognized. Today, he’s proving that standard every day by giving people an experience so good, they can't help but keep coming back.

Congratulations, Chef Kaiser, on a fantastic international feature! 🏨❤️

Hum News International Program Community Connect with Fatima Aslam

05/24/2026

Innovation, collaboration and a $1,000 research win! 🏆🐾

Dr. Tiffany Legendre, Dr. Dustin Maneethai and a talented group of Hilton College students just wrapped up 4 days at Texas A&M for the first-ever CCHTE symposium!

Our hospitality coogs joined forces with peer programs from TAMU, FIU, Penn State, Cal Poly Pomona, FSU and USF. Trip highlights include:

✨ Fast Funding: Dr. Legendre and Dr. Maneethai developed a research idea in 90 minutes and took home $1,000 in seed money!

✨ Shining on Stage: Our student researchers crushed their showcases, including an amazing presentation by Lane Adkins (’26).

Huge thanks to for hosting an inspiring inaugural event. We can’t wait for future events!

05/22/2026

This week’s Faculty Spotlight features Dr. Priyanko Guchait!
Priyanko’s academic journey began in mechanical engineering before shifting to human resources and organizational behavior. He was drawn to Hilton College for its reputation as “the finest hospitality management program in the world with outstanding faculty and research.”

His research centers on organizational behavior, human resources and leadership, with a special focus on error management. “Things don’t always go according to plan,” said Priyanko, “so I study how organizations can respond when errors happen.” He brings this mindset into the classroom by offering revision and resubmission opportunities, helping students grow through mistakes and build confidence in their work.

As program director of the online doctorate in global hospitality leadership, Priyanko also helps professionals earn their doctoral degrees and strengthen their leadership skills without putting their careers on hold.

05/16/2026

Words of wisdom from a hospitality legend. 💡✨

We were incredibly honored to welcome Dianna Vaughan (HA '26), retired global senior vice president at Hilton Worldwide, as our Spring 2026 commencement speaker! During the ceremony, Vaughan was also presented with honorary alumni recognition by Dean Dennis Reynolds.

Drawing from a legendary 30-year career that started as a night auditor and led all the way to executive leadership, she shared four powerful lessons learned from her own journey and Conrad Hilton himself:

Embrace diversity in every form: Listen to others and invite every single voice to the table.

Be a humble and kind leader: Balance intuition with data, humanity with technology and progress with culture.

Be a torch passer: Always mentor others along your own journey.

Assume positive intent: If a digital message feels harsh, pause. Instead of reacting, connect in person to find clarity.

Thank you, Dianna, for empowering our new alumni to lead with purpose, and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 🐾

05/16/2026

The moment they’ve been working for! 🎓✨

Congratulations to the Hilton College Spring 2026 graduating class! From late-night study sessions to hands-on experiential learning, you have shown incredible dedication, resilience and passion.

You are no longer just students — you are officially part of our global alumni network. We cannot wait to see how you spread the light and warmth of hospitality across the globe.

Go Coogs! 🐾 Leave a comment below to congratulate your favorite graduate! 👇

05/14/2026

Future hospitality leaders in the house! 🏨✨

We loved hosting Brazoswood Culinary Arts for an immersive look at what makes Hilton College world-class. The students got an exclusive back-of-the-house operations tour of Cougar Grounds led by General Manager Sean Lawless. From the production line to the roasting process, the new roasting lab and coffee samples, it was a full sensory experience! ☕️🧪

The day wrapped up with a campus tour from student ambassador Juliana Hodges and a presentation in our Spec’s Beverage & Food Appreciation Lab.

Special thanks to our recruiting department led by Director Raymond Arevelo, with presentations by Fred Guichard and assistance by Kennedi Southall.

Thinking about your future in hospitality? There’s no better place to start than right here.