Career-Focused Learning Through Real Experience

Photo above (left to right): Jennifer Gibson, director of youth activities, Charlotte Country Club; Cara Martino '26, Erin Schlegel, youth and activities director, Myers Park Country Club.

College of Hospitality & Business (COHB) students and faculty at JWU’s Charlotte Campus have been busy with recent conferences, events, competitions and class projects that give students opportunities to gain real experience — helping them prepare for their future careers.

Several off-campus events took students and faculty to locations including California, Maryland, Ohio and Tennessee to hear from industry experts and association leaders. JWU students also met and networked with students from other schools across the country. These events help students stay at the forefront of the hospitality and business industries by exposing them to the latest news, trends and skills in their fields. Each is also an important opportunity for students to build their networks.

Here's a sampling of some recent learning opportunities and experiences students had on and off campus.

JWU Student Wins First Place Award at CMAA Conference

Professor Piyavan Sukalakamala, Ph.D., led a group of students to Anaheim, California for the Club Management Association of America CMAA’s 2026 World Conference and Club Business Expo.

One of the students, Cara Martino ’26, Hospitality Management major and CMAA Charlotte Student Chapter president, took first place at the conference’s Student Chapter Idea Fair for the Career Development Resources category. 

Cara Martino with her winning idea and posterboard for Student Networking Etiquette Dinner

"I won this award because my idea for a Student Networking Etiquette Dinner consisted of creativity, clarity, transferability and uniqueness, all of which the judges look for. To compete, I spent part of my winter break designing and editing my poster board on Canva and submitting it to CMAA," said Martino.

Martino’s winning idea and plan for a Student Networking Etiquette Dinner came to life and was held on campus. Industry professionals sat at each table giving students opportunities to network with them. Students also learned the proper way to navigate a business meal through a presentation held during dinner. The event was an opportunity for students to network and secure professional positions for post-graduation.

Martino shared why the conference is so meaningful to her:

“It was during my first CMAA World Conference that I discovered the private club industry and since then I have fallen in love with the magic that private clubs create. One of my favorite aspects of the event is connecting with alumni and mentors.” Martino also caught up with Tori Logan ’14, director of food and beverage services, Myers Park Country Club, during the conference."

Martino expressed that the conference was “bittersweet,” as it was the last CMAA conference she would attend as a student.

JWU’s CMAA Charlotte Campus Student Chapter was named a 2026 Recruitment Winner – Medium Chapter for the Student New Member Recruitment Contest for recruiting three new students from August 2025 through February 2026.

Gaining Insider Insight at IMA Student Leadership Event

Students traveled to Cleveland, Ohio with Professor Manasseh Zechariah, Ph.D., for the annual Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Student Leadership Conference. The students heard from various speakers at the event, which offered knowledge and opportunities for students to earn certifications, meet industry professionals and network with other attendees.

Zechariah expressed his feelings about the event: "I felt a sense of accomplishment, seeing the growth and confidence in my students as they engaged with other participants at the conference."

Two of the students who attended shared what they gained from the event:

Michelle Lopez ’26, Accounting/Financial Analysis major, said, "The IMA conference was a meaningful experience for me. Every session, every conversation and every connection gave me information that I didn't know I needed — clarity, motivation and a renewed belief in what I can achieve."

John Billinis ’26, Corporate Accounting/Financial Analysis major, shared, “CEO Tim Naddy of Savannah Bananas spoke about how relevant certain skills are in today’s workforce and how quickly things are evolving, especially with AI in the picture. He encouraged us to think creatively, build strong networks and find innovative ways to stand out.”

Cara Martino and Ariana Adolph at CMAA’s 2026 World Conference and Club Business Expo

Learning Latest Industry News and Trends at NACE Conference

Ariana Adolph ’28, Sports, Entertainment, Event — Management major, and Amelia Grenier ’28, Sports, Entertainment, Event — Management major and vice president of the National Association for Catering & Events (NACE) Charlotte Campus chapter, attended the association’s Evolve Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. NACE offers education, resources and networking to event and catering professionals looking to thrive in their future careers.

Adolph, who described the conference in a recent LinkedIn post, said that her and Grenier engaged with students from other schools and heard from industry professionals on the latest catering and event industry news, trends and innovations. Adolph, who was recently nominated for NACE Student Member of the Year, explained why the conference is so important to her:

“This experience was both inspiring and transformative,” said Adolph. “Experiences like the NACE Evolve Conference remind me why I chose this industry and motivate me to continue building a career rooted in creativity, leadership and meaningful experiences.”

THE CONNECT CONFERENCE Offers Knowledge, Insight, Experiences

Students in Associate Professor Kimberly Rosenbaum’s courses learned the ins and outs of planning and implementing two campuswide events as part of the hands-on learning aspects of the classes.

THE CONNECT CONFERENCE is a new student event that debuted this spring and brings employers, alumni and campus partners together to hear from industry experts and leaders, and participate in workshops that focus on connecting classroom learning to real-world experience.

The conference is also a perfect opportunity for students to gain hands-on skills by helping COHB pull the conference together and make it a success.

The students in Rosenbaum’s Business of Event Management class helped plan and execute certain aspects of the event, helping with logistics, food and beverage, setup and breakdown, social media and hosting during the event.

“The students showed so much professionalism. I was so proud of everything they did,” expressed Rosenbaum.

Students, faculty and industry professionals attended the CONNECT Conference hosted by College of Hospitality & Business

Demetria Sarafis ’26, Sports, Entertainment, Event — Management major, shared what she learned from the experience:

“I had both a floating role and a role in marketing for the event, creating programs and a PowerPoint. I also helped by making announcements during the event,” said Sarafis.

“Through my work at the event I enhanced my communication skills and working on deadlines. I also made connections with alumni and panelists that will be helpful for my future career.”

Gaining Event Experience Through Spring Job & Internship Fair

Students in Professor Rosenbaum’s International Exhibitions & Events class gained a wide range of event management knowledge and skills by helping Experiential Education & Career Services Director Deborah Langenstein and Career Advisor Jodi Wood produce the Spring Job & Internship Fair.

Prior to the event, students helped with setting up and preparing. On the day of the event, they helped with everything from logistics to guiding vendors to their locations, directing students to specific booths and passing out programs.

Madison Leslie ’29, Sports, Entertainment, Event — Management major, offered her view on learning about and working on events through her courses:

“Putting together any event will always be helpful to students as we prepare for our careers. As a first-year student it is good to get exposure to how things work and to put yourself out there.”

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