Originally from Dryden, NY, Luke joined Statler Hotel Leadership Development Program in the Spring of his freshman year after working in the hotel for many years through high school. He joined the program to gain the opportunity to progress his knowledge of hospitality, develop his leadership skills, as well as gain experience in different parts of the hotel.

Since joining the program, he has worked in almost every department including meetings and events, finance, front office, culinary, Mac's, Taverna Banfi, Regent Lounge, housekeeping, dishwashing, and purchasing and receiving. His favorite part of HLDP has been gaining hands-on experience within every aspect of hotel operations. According to Luke, he has learned a lot since joining the program: "Beyond many specific job tasks, I have learned valuable skills in teamwork, leadership, and the value of building relationships with your coworkers."

Through HLDP, Luke hopes to become the student General Manager. Outside of Cornell's campus, he hopes to pursue a career in finance.

Originally from Walpole, MA, Maggie joined the Statler Hotel Leadership Development Program in the Fall of 2021. She joined the program to become more involved in the Hotel School, but learned the program had much more to offer. She realized she could learn more about how a hotel operates, best practices in operations, and her individual leadership styles.

Since joining the program, she has worked primarily in meetings and events. Her favorite part of HLDP has been the learning opportunities she has been exposed to.

The program has allowed her to go into other jobs within the hospitality industry and excel with little training in those internships because of the background knowledge she had from working at the Statler Hotel. According to Maggie, she has learned a lot since joining the program: "Most of the skills I have learned have revolved around leadership and learning to manage people. This has come in a few different ways, but mostly through leading events in various areas of the hotel. I have learned the value of a trained employee, as just one knowledgeable person can make or break an event. Additionally, in terms of managing people, I have learned the importance of understanding each team member's commitment level to the job. Each employee holds the job at very different priority levels, and understanding what that level is can help maintain a happy working environment for all. I have also learned that advocating for yourself is one of the best things you can do in a working environment. Staying silent about a situation won't change anything, and the only way you can create effective change in some scenarios is to bring it to the attention of others who can change it."

Through HLDP, Maggie is interested in advancing to a managerial role in meetings and events, or a support department like human resources or asset management. Outside of Cornell's campus, she hopes to pursue a career in asset management or strategic operations.

Originally from San Jose, CA, Melanie joined the Statler Hotel Leadership Development Program in the Spring of 2020, after working in the Hotel starting the first week of her freshman year. She joined the program with the goal to eventually be Student Sous Chef, after meeting the students in the program with that role during admitted students' day prior to attending Cornell in 2019. 

Since joining the program, she has worked in multiple departments including culinary, meetings and events, and front desk. In the future she will be cross training in the Regent lounge, housekeeping, and shadowing other department heads. Her favorite part of HLDP has been the community, networking opportunities, hotel staff support, and versatility of leadership she has gained through the program. According to Melanie, she has learned a lot since joining the program: "I have learned a lot, but mostly about leadership, teamwork, and time management. I have also learned how to network and put my best self forward at all times. I have also learned how to recover from mistakes. Most importantly, I have learned how to make the most of what I have and to take every opportunity that I can find."

Through HLDP, Melanie has fulfilled her freshman year dream of student Sous Chef and surpassed it by becoming the student General Manager and Executive Chef. Outside of Cornell's campus, she hopes to pursue a career in recipe development or culinary research and development in the catering, events, cruise or resort aspect of the hospitality industry. She also plans to open her own establishment later in her career. 

Originally from Englewood, NJ, Alex joined the Statler Hotel Leadership Development Program in 2021 following the Statler Hotel reopening post-COVID-19 shutdown. He joined the program to gain leadership and additional back of house experience to supplement his pre-existing knowledge of the culinary department.

Since joining the program, he has primarily worked in the Culinary department, but has completed his cross training in meetings & events, front of house restaurant operations, and front office. His favorite part of HLDP has been the 2023 HLDP Fellow Industry Immersion Trip to Las Vegas where Alex had the opportunity to bond with his peers, experience eye-opening hotel tours and create and foster amazing relationships. According to Alex, he has learned a lot since joining the program: "We all have different experiences and different stories to tell and being a leader and a part of a team you have to recognize people's strengths and differences and we all have something to give regardless if we have 4 years or 4 days working here."

Throughout his HLDP experience, Alex hoped to assume the role he is in now as Student Sous Chef. Outside of Cornell's campus, he hopes to pursue a career in the wine industry. He is interested in all aspects of it, from vineyard and winery operations to sales and distribution.

Originally from Ardsley, NY, Max joined the Statler Hotel Leadership Development Program in April 2022 after working at the Regent Lounge since the beginning of his freshman year. He joined the program because he recognized that in HLDP he would have the opportunity to put his classroom learning to practical use and gain hands-on-experience to complement his education at the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration.

Since joining the program,he has worked in the Regent Lounge.His favorite part of HLDP has been being part of the close-knit HLDP community. According to Max, he has learned a lot since joining the program: "There is so much that I have learned through HLDP and working at the hotel that I could never learn in a classroom. From service recovery to learning to work with all different types of people, the leadership and people skills learned through practical experience has been invaluable."

Through HLDP, Max hopes to become the student manager of the Regent Lounge and eventually the Director of Food and Beverage. Outside of Cornell's campus, he hopes to pursue a career in Sales & Marketing or Real Estate Development.

Originally from Pittsburg, PA, Tatiana joined the Statler Hotel Leadership Development Program in the Fall of 2021. She joined the program to gain hands-on work and leadership experience.

Since joining the program, she has primarily worked in the Meetings and Events department, but has had the opportunity to cross-train in many others. Her favorite part of HLDP has been developing her leadership style and becoming part of the Statler Hotel family. According to Tatiana, she has learned a lot since joining the program: "Throughout my time here I have really enjoyed working with the Meetings and Events team. Here, I have found my passion and have gained important tactical skills that I will be able to use with me for the rest of my career. HLDP has also given me the opportunity to learn about new depths of the industry, like meetings and events in Las Vegas!"

Through HLDP, Tatiana hopes to become the Student Director of Food and Beverage or Student General Manager. Outside of Cornell's campus, she hopes to pursue a career in corporate events management.

Originally from Portola Valley, CA, Billy joined the Statler Hotel Leadership Development Program in the Spring of 2020, after just being sent home from campus during the COVID-19 Global Pandemic. He joined the program because of his passion for hospitality and love for the community he found at the Statler Hotel.

Since joining the program, he has worked primarily in the Front Office department and has done some cross-training at the Regent Lounge. His favorite part of HLDP has been the people he works with. According to Billy, he has learned a lot since joining the program: "I have learned who I am as a person, a worker, a colleague and a leader through this program. I've learned the value of patience, work ethic and the power of showing up for others. I now know how to manage people and that is something I will take with me wherever I go. My learnings here have transcended just operations, and I know they will serve me for the rest of my professional life."

Through HLDP, Billy hoped to become a Student Front Office Supervisor. Outside of Cornell's campus, he hopes to pursue a career in operations. Most importantly, he hopes to find a career that brings him joy and allows him to live a comfortable lifestyle. His dream role is the General Manager of the Golden State Warriors.

Originally from Pelham, NY, Hailey joined the Statler Hotel Leadership Development Program in the Spring of 2020. She joined the program to learn more about culinary and food and beverage operations.

When she joined the program, she worked in the Culinary department in the Taverna Banfi kitchen. Before her senior year, she transitioned to the Sales and Marketing department. She has loved this department and role because of the ownership and creativity she has had on her projects. Her favorite part of HLDP has been getting to explore career paths and learn from extraordinary leaders. According to Hailey, she has learned a lot since joining the program: "I will always look back on my time in HLDP as pivotal to my Cornell experience. Through the program we are encouraged to learn and teach our peers and seniors. The skills I acquired through HLDP will be instrumental to my professional career."

Through HLDP, Hailey accomplished more than she thought was possible through her role as Student Marketing Manager. Outside of Cornell's campus, she hopes to pursue a career in hospitality consulting or food and beverage operations.

Originally from Albuquerque, NM, Jet joined the Statler Hotel Leadership Development Program in April 2021. He initially sought out a job at the Statler Hotel for summer employment the summer after his freshman year. But he quickly displayed the qualities of a leader in this program and officially joined HLDP after working in the Front Office.

Since joining the program,he has worked primarily in the Front Office and Housekeeping departments, and has begun his cross training in the Regent Lounge, and other areas of the hotel. His favorite part of HLDP has been living the impact that students can contribute to an actual business while they are in school. According to Jet, he has learned a lot since joining the program: "I've learned the important ability of delegation, and problem solving in a fast-paced environment."

Through HLDP, Jet hopes to become the Student Director of Rooms or Student General Manager. Outside of Cornell's campus, he hopes to pursue a career in the hospitality industry and looks forward to helping other Hotelies along their path to success.