Dedman School receives $2 million Marriott Foundation gift for hospitality career center

The Florida State University Dedman School of Hospitality announces a generous gift from The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation to establish the Marriott Career and Professional Development Center.

The $2 million gift provides for renovations of facilities and an endowed fund supporting the center’s ongoing operations. The hospitality-focused career center will provide valuable support to the school’s students.

“We prepare our students to launch careers by helping them develop relationships with top hospitality organizations through internships and work experiences,” said Alishia Piotrowski, Dedman’s director of industry relations. “The new Marriott center will be a home to online and in-person recruiting, workshops, résumé building and branded events aimed at connecting industry professionals with our students.”

The renovated space in Dedman’s home at FSU’s University Center will offer students the opportunity to polish interview skills, fine-tune résumés and cover letters and network with industry leaders, recruiters and prominent alumni.

“Our students will continue to utilize the outstanding services of The Career Center at FSU, but now they will have expanded on-site access to our own industry-specific resources and expert advisers,” said Don Farr, director of the Dedman School of Hospitality.

Established in 1947, the Dedman School of Hospitality is a favored hiring source for managers of the world’s leading hotels, restaurants, clubs and resorts. The school boasts a near 100 percent career placement rate among its graduating students.

“For more than 70 years, Florida State University has been preparing leaders for the hospitality industry,” said Anne Gunsteens, executive director of the Marriott Foundation. “We hope this grant will support the Dedman School in developing leaders for the next 70 years.”

Established in 1965, The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation is dedicated to supporting exceptional nonprofit organizations that provide civic and human services, foster educational achievement, expand opportunities for youth and adults, develop the next generation of hospitality leaders and lead innovation in health and medicine.