A ‘Global Hospitality’ Evolution:
UH Hilton College Changes Name

New Name Better Reflects Mission to Students and Industry

Story by Debbie Maurer | Layout by S. Sara Tubbs

“Conrad Hilton embodied the spirit of hospitality and, along with our world-class faculty and staff, it is an honor to now carry on his legacy with this fitting new name.”
Dennis Reynolds, dean, Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

The University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management has changed its name to the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership.

Since hotel industry icon Conrad Hilton gifted $1.5 million to build the first hospitality school in Texas more than 50 years ago, the hospitality industry has grown exponentially. To keep pace, programs and courses offered at Hilton College also evolved into more than a hotel and restaurant management program.

“The new name not only reflects the role of Hilton College as a global leader in hospitality education, but also supports its mission to prepare the industry’s future leaders,” said Paula Myrick Short, UH senior vice president for academic affairs and provost.

Conrad N. Hilton

In 1969, Conrad N. Hilton gifted the University of Houston $1.5 million to build the first hospitality school in Texas.

In 1969, Conrad N. Hilton gifted the University of Houston $1.5 million to build the first hospitality school in Texas.

Dennis Reynolds, dean of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

Dennis Reynolds, dean of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

Dennis Reynolds, dean of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

On June 30, 2021 there was a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off the construction of the Hilton University of Houston's new tower.

On June 30, 2021 a groundbreaking ceremony kicked off construction of the Hilton University of Houston's new tower. Pictured (l-r) hotel General Manager Steve Cunningham, Dean Dennis Reynolds, Provost Paula Myrick Short, President Renu Khator and UH System Regent Doug Brooks (’75).

On June 30, 2021 a groundbreaking ceremony kicked off construction of the Hilton University of Houston's new tower. Pictured (l-r) hotel General Manager Steve Cunningham, Dean Dennis Reynolds, Provost Paula Myrick Short, President Renu Khator and UH System Regent Doug Brooks (’75).

Dennis Reynolds, dean and Barron Hilton Distinguished Chair at Hilton College, said the impetus for the name change began years ago when students and faculty began asking for it.

“Ambiguity about our name among employers and recruiters, many of whom are in service businesses outside of hotels or restaurants, also played a factor,” he said. “While perfect in 1969, ‘Hotel and Restaurant Management’ does not resonate today, particularly with parents. Given many of our students are the first in their family to go to college, families have difficulty separating a career in service from servitude.”

With a goal of leveraging data to identify a name that would better bridge industry and academia, a market-research firm conducted an eight-month query process. Funded by an anonymous donor, more than 30 one-on-one qualitative interviews were conducted, followed by a far-reaching quantitative survey that yielded some 350 responses from alumni, advisory board members, students, faculty, staff, recruiters, and deans and directors from hospitality programs around the world.

Student holding a wine glass
Students with instructor
group of smiling students
students in kitchen
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Student holding a wine glass
Students with instructor
group of smiling students
students in kitchen
"With the addition of ‘Global Hospitality Leadership’ to the Hilton name, this program stays ahead of the curve as it has done since its founding.”
Doug Brooks ('75), UH System regent and chair of the Dean's Advisory Board

In August 2021, Hilton College faculty voted unanimously to support the name change, and the UH System Board of Regents unanimously approved it during the Feb. 24 meeting.

Doug Brooks, UH System regent and retired CEO, president and chairman of the board for Brinker International, one of the world’s leading casual dining restaurant companies, said having the Conrad N. Hilton name has always distinguished the college from other hospitality programs, but now the name is “more relevant, applicable and defining.”

“Today, multinational hospitality companies are the norm rather than the exception, and Hilton College graduates continue to lead the industry worldwide,” said Brooks, a 1975 alumnus of Hilton College and chair of the Dean’s Advisory Board. “With the addition of ‘Global Hospitality Leadership’ to the Hilton name, this program stays ahead of the curve as it has done since its founding.”

Regent Doug Brooks ('75) speaking with Hilton College students after an Eric's Club lecture.

Regent Doug Brooks ('75) speaking with Hilton College students after an Eric's Club lecture.

Regent Doug Brooks ('75) speaking with Hilton College students after an Eric's Club lecture.

Hilton College students hosted the opening of the Sysco Student Kitchen in March 2019.

Hilton College students hosted the opening of the Sysco Student Kitchen in March 2019.

Hilton College students hosted the opening of the Sysco Student Kitchen in March 2019.

Photo from the first day of class at Hilton College on September 16, 1969.

Photo from the first day of class at Hilton College on September 16, 1969.

Photo from the first day of class at Hilton College on September 16, 1969.

The Hilton College building under construction in the early 1970s.

The Hilton College building under construction in the early 1970s.

The Hilton College building under construction in the early 1970s.

The official opening and dedication of the facility was in May 1975.

The official opening and dedication of the facility was in May 1975.

The official opening and dedication of the facility was in May 1975.

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Photo from the first day of class at Hilton College on September 16, 1969.

Photo from the first day of class at Hilton College on September 16, 1969.

Photo from the first day of class at Hilton College on September 16, 1969.

The Hilton College building under construction in the early 1970s.

The Hilton College building under construction in the early 1970s.

The Hilton College building under construction in the early 1970s.

The official opening and dedication of the facility was in May 1975.

The official opening and dedication of the facility was in May 1975.

The official opening and dedication of the facility was in May 1975.

A Global Leader in Hospitality Education

  • When Hilton College was established in 1969, there were 39 students and three adjunct professors.
  • Today, there are about 1,000 students from 30 countries, 32 full-time faculty and seven degree programs.
  • The college has graduated nearly 10,000 students who work in hospitality leadership positions around the world.
  • Hilton College is the only hospitality program in the world where students work – and take classes – in an internationally branded, full-service hotel.
  • In 2019, the undergraduate curriculum was revamped to consolidate nine areas of emphasis into four tracks – Lodging Management, Foodservice Management, Wine & Beverage Studies and Project Management & Analytics. This streamlined curriculum allows students more flexibility in customizing their academic experience, as well as a wide range of electives designed to prepare them to better anticipate inevitable change in the industry.

In addition to name and curriculum changes, Hilton College continues to make its mark on hospitality education. Currently, the Hilton University of Houston – the college’s teaching hotel – is undergoing a $30.4 million expansion and renovation. The project, which includes the addition of a new five-story, 70-room guest tower, is expected to be completed in early 2023. Financing is through a revenue bond issued by the UH System that will be repaid with additional revenue generated by the hotel. 

building rendering

Kirksey Architecture designed the new hotel tower and DPR Construction is the general contractor.

Kirksey Architecture designed the new hotel tower and DPR Construction is the general contractor.

“These and other endeavors allow us to provide the highest level of hospitality education and leading research,” said Reynolds. “Conrad Hilton embodied the spirit of hospitality and, along with our world-class faculty and staff, it is an honor to now carry on his legacy with this fitting new name.”

faculty and staff group shot

Dean Reynolds with Hilton College faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the beginning of construction on the new hotel tower.

Dean Reynolds with Hilton College faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the beginning of construction on the new hotel tower.