SDSU Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism

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SDSU Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism

The most personalized school of its kind in developing hospitality and tourism leaders. Academia + Industry = Dynamic Partnerships and Jobs for Graduates

09/04/2026

Our next 25 Years, 25 Stories Alumni Spotlight comes at the perfect time!
❤️🖤
Meet Cinthia Cruz-Salas ’10, Senior Manager, Talent & Leadership Development, Caribbean & Latin America at Hilton.

With Hilton recruiters visiting campus next week, Cinthia’s journey is a great reminder for our students that getting involved during your time at the Payne School really does matter.

As a student, Cinthia volunteered at major hospitality events and conferences, participated in NSMH regional conferences, and took advantage of opportunities to meet and build relationships with industry professionals. She credits those experiences — along with the Payne School’s strong emphasis on networking — with helping pave the way for her career with Hilton.

Her takeaway for students today is simple but powerful: show up, get involved, build your network and have your elevator pitch ready. You never know when one conversation could lead to your next opportunity.

Cinthia says it best:

“The Payne School gave me the confidence to turn opportunities into a career.”

We’re so proud to celebrate Cinthia and the incredible career she has built — and we hope her story inspires our current students to take advantage of every opportunity in front of them.

09/02/2026

It's kinda chic...✨

08/31/2026

Where will the Payne School take you?✈️ 🌎

08/28/2026

As we close out the first week of a new semester at SDSU, we can’t think of a better alumni story to share.

When Jason Hemmens ’01 was a Recreation Administration student, he thought his future would be about managing parks. More than 20 years later, that career has become about something much bigger: shaping community well-being, protecting places people love and tackling real-world challenges.

Today, Jason serves as Director of the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation. But his connection to the Payne School didn’t end when he graduated. For nearly two decades, Jason has also returned to the classroom as a lecturer, sharing his experience and helping prepare future recreation and tourism professionals.

It makes his perspective particularly meaningful as we welcome another group of students beginning their own Payne School journeys.

Jason remembers the mentors who believed in him, the community that helped him find his place and the confidence and purpose he developed here. His advice to today’s students?

Stay curious. Get involved. Say yes to opportunities that scare you a little. And don’t underestimate the mentors and classmates sitting around you.

To our students who just completed their first week: you may not be able to see where all of this will lead yet. Twenty-five years ago, Jason couldn’t either.

We’re proud to celebrate his journey as part of 25 Years, 25 Stories — and even prouder that he continues to help shape the generations coming after him. ❤️🖤

08/27/2026

Introducing Carl Winston: Global Communicator, Founding Director of the Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism, and this year's President of ICHRIE. How many languages does your boss speak?

08/19/2026

2026 Faculty Staff Retreat was a success! Thank you to our hosts, Snapdragon Stadium, for such an incredible space. Payne School Students - we hope you're as excited for the semester as we are!

08/14/2026

Our next 25 Years, 25 Stories Alumni Spotlight is Tyler Martin! 🎉
A graduate of the Payne School’s Class of 2000 and 2013, Tyler earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees through the School and now serves as Regional Manager & Beverage Director for The Brigantine, Inc.

For Tyler, one of the biggest impacts of his Payne School experience was learning what leadership truly looks like.

“The Payne School’s emphasis on leadership completely reshaped how I approach working with people.”

That lesson has stayed with him throughout his career — along with the confidence to lead, connect with others and create environments where people feel they belong.

Tyler also sees that sense of connection as central to the future of hospitality. As our world becomes increasingly digital, he believes graduates who lead with empathy have an opportunity to shape not only the hospitality industry, but the way business is done everywhere.

Read through Tyler’s spotlight to learn more about his Payne School journey and what he sees ahead for our School and industry.
Thank you, Tyler, for helping us celebrate 25 years of shaping hospitality and recreation leaders! ❤️🖤

08/08/2026

We are proud to introduce this week’s Payne School Alumni Spotlight: Denise Tran-Shingler, Class of 2004!

Denise earned her B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism Management with an emphasis in Attractions, Events, and Convention Management. Today, she is the Vice President of Event Sales at Tom’s Watch Bar in Los Angeles.

After changing majors a few times, Denise found a program at the Payne School that excited her and helped her discover where she belonged. Internships, networking opportunities, hands-on learning, and mentors who genuinely cared about her success gave her the confidence to pursue a career she truly loved.

Denise believes that hospitality is about creating meaningful experiences and lasting relationships—a lesson she has carried throughout her career.

Please join us in celebrating Denise and her accomplishments as part of our 25 Years, 25 Stories alumni series! Leave a comment to congratulate her or share a favorite Payne School memory.

07/31/2026

We are excited to officially begin our 25 Years, 25 Stories Alumni Spotlight Series as part of the Payne School’s 25th Anniversary celebration!

Our first featured alumnus is Rance Jones, Class of 2010. Rance graduated with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, with an emphasis in Hotel and Restaurant Management, and today serves as RVP, Commercial Services at Hyatt Hotels.

Throughout his career, Rance has continued to rely on a lesson he learned at the Payne School: when leaders take care of their employees, employees take better care of their guests, ultimately creating stronger business results. That philosophy has shaped how he builds teams, develops positive workplace cultures, and empowers others to succeed.

As Rance shared, “The Payne School gave me a life I could have never imagined.”

Explore the slides to learn more about his journey and hear his advice for the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Be sure to follow our page and turn on notifications as we celebrate a new Payne School alumni story every week throughout our 25th Anniversary!

07/25/2026

Calling all Payne School alumni! 🎉

Our 25th Anniversary Alumni Weekend is happening October 23–25, 2026, and we cannot wait to bring everyone back together for an unforgettable weekend of celebration, connection, and Payne School pride.

All events are still being finalized, so filling out the preliminary RSVP does not commit you to attending any specific event. Once the schedule is complete, event registration will be shared with everyone who has submitted the form.

Our past and present faculty and staff are so excited to welcome alumni from across the years back to celebrate this incredible milestone!

Complete the preliminary RSVP here: https://forms.gle/pdfZ8oQJxbAoCWXXA

Know another Payne School alum? Tag them below or share this post with your alumni network!

Be sure to follow our page and turn on notifications so you can stay up to date as Alumni Weekend events and registration details are announced.

Address

5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA
92182

Telephone

+16195944964

Website

http://www.sdsu.edu/htm

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