The University of Utah has announced the establishment of the J.W. Marriott Jr. Institute at the school, made possible by a $25 million gift from the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation.
The new program is designed to help students across diverse disciplines to develop hospitality-influenced leadership skills, the university said in its announcement.
The UofU calls the institute “a groundbreaking initiative that will transform how students across disciplines develop leadership skills rooted in hospitality principles.”
The institute represents a student-centric approach to hospitality education beyond traditional classroom learning, the university release said.
“Inspired by Mr. Marriott’s enduring legacy of service, ingenuity and excellence, the institute will serve as a multidisciplinary hub providing immersive, co-curricular programs that integrate hospitality principles into diverse academic fields, including business, health care, design, technology, engineering and more,” according to the release. “Unlike traditional hospitality degree programs, the institute emphasizes and elevates the customer experience by integrating it into nearly all industries and career pathways.”
“We are redefining hospitality not simply as an industry but as a mindset that empowers leaders in every field to create exceptional experiences and drive meaningful impact by honoring the values that have long defined the Marriott name: excellence, integrity and service to others,” said Taylor Randall, president of the UofU. “The Marriott family’s deep connection to the University of Utah, with J.W. ‘Bill’ Marriott Jr. as a proud alumnus and longtime supporter, is a testament to their enduring commitment to expanding opportunities for all people. We are deeply grateful for their visionary leadership in establishing this pioneering institute, which will carry Bill Marriott’s legacy forward and prepare our students to lead in the evolving experience economy.”
The institute will eventually offer dynamic programs ranging from global internships and leadership development to campus-based hospitality training and industry-sponsored projects, the UofU said. These experiences will provide students with real-world skills; industry access, such as offerings from The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center; and resume-defining opportunities, regardless of academic discipline.
Marc Brown, the inaugural executive director, will oversee these efforts as the institute’s students work directly with on-campus businesses, events and services to solve real challenges and create value through hospitality.
“The J.W. Marriott Jr. Institute represents our commitment to attracting and developing the next generation of hospitality leaders,” said Mieka Wick, CEO of Marriott Foundation. “Through this institute, we aim to inspire students to carry forward Bill’s legacy of visionary leadership, integrity and service and to elevate hospitality as a leadership philosophy across the global economy.”
“My dad is proud to be a University of Utah alum and to have a hospitality institute established in his name is a source of pride for him and our entire family,” said David S. Marriott, trustee of the foundation and chairman of the board of Marriott International. “We know every student who walks through the doors will develop the mindset and the skill set to be the next generation of leaders around the world — not only in hospitality but countless other industries that also benefit from a commitment to excellence in service.”
A start date for the initiative has not been announced.
