FSU Dedman Establishes New Student Leadership Council
The new school year welcomes the first Student Leadership Council (SLC) of Dedman College of Hospitality. Ten standout students compose this organization, representing all three hospitality majors. Each council member was selected based on their excellence, leadership, and enthusiasm for hospitality. The council's mission revolves around building the brand of Dedman through student experiences, from boosting student engagement to bolstering recruitment at networking events to leading other student-focused activities.
Dedman offers a range of opportunities and events to students passionate about the hospitality industry. The faculty provides relevant resources and mentors to help each student individually.
The SLC members serve as the eyes for incoming students, helping them envision their collegiate life at Dedman. Kacie Michaud, one of the new SLC members, is a senior studying hospitality and tourism management.
"Where we belong is often where we least expect to find ourselves,” Michaud said, describing her experience at Dedman.
Despite her initial uncertainty about her major, Dedman soon became her second home. Her semesters were filled with like-minded individuals, motivating career fairs, and supportive professors. Enrolling in more hospitality courses and exploring everything the school offered gave Michaud a sense of comfort about what to do after graduation.
“The Dedman College professors ease this process by offering useful resources such as guest speakers and networking lunches, allowing students to make connections and explore future opportunities with companies,” Michaud said.
These opportunities helped Michaud land an unforgettable internship with Driftwood Hospitality Management in Melbourne, Florida. She spent her summer as a hotel management intern at the Melbourne Crowne Plaza and Element by Westin. She gained hands-on experience across seven hotel departments and honed her management skills. Additionally, she is involved with the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and is a campus event services intern.
Outside of campus, hospitality students like Michaud have the opportunity to take courses abroad in places like Switzerland and Italy. She participated in a food and wine program in Florence, Italy, led by one of her favorite professors at the college. She immersed herself in Italian culture and visited a Tuscan vineyard, where she expanded her knowledge of wine, food, and olive oil production.
“This once-in-a-lifetime experience would not have happened without the ongoing opportunities and support from Dedman College,” Michaud said.
The SLC underscores the importance of embracing what the college has to offer and making lifelong connections. It aims to inspire and empower students like Michaud to not only shape their own futures but also to contribute to Dedman’s legacy of excellence in the hospitality industry.
Learn more about the Student Leadership Council here.