ABout the Cecil B. Day HospitaLity Immersion Program
Ms. Deen Day Sanders Endowment
Transformative Hospitality Experiences
Our Immersion Program is Fully Funded
Our immersion program is funded by an endowment made by Ms. Deen Day Sanders in memory of her late husband and our school's namesake Cecil B. Day.
Our Immersion Program is Fully Funded
Transformative Hospitality Experiences
Our Immersion Program is Fully Funded
All eligible students admitted into the Cecil B. Day Immersion Program will have all program costs covered including airfare, lodging and excursions.
Transformative Hospitality Experiences
Transformative Hospitality Experiences
Transformative Hospitality Experiences
This endowment allows us to offer all students, regardless of background, access to transformative hospitality experiences.
Testimonials
MBA Student - Nia Lindsey (2025)
As a young Black woman from North Little Rock, Arkansas, with roots in my family’s small, home-style barbecue and hospitality restaurant, and a passion for global hospitality, the Hospitality Immersion Program’s trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi was nothing short of transformative. Being in a city as dynamic as Dubai—surrounded by innovation, luxury, and cultural richness—helped me realize what’s possible for someone like me in this industry. I had the opportunity to connect with professionals like Lina from Media One Hotel, a conversation that inspired me to reimagine my career path. This trip affirmed that there is space for Black women to lead and thrive in global hospitality. From exploring the Burj Khalifa to engaging with local Emirati traditions, I gained a broader perspective and a deeper confidence in my voice, my vision, and the impact I want to make. This experience didn’t just expand my worldview—it affirmed my purpose.
Undergraduate - Gloria Duarte (2025)
The Hospitality Immersion Program was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. Prior to this opportunity, I had never even traveled outside of the country, so practically every part of this experience was a first for me. That is why this opportunity was so memorable and valuable to me in both my professional and personal life. Studying abroad has given me a new perspective of the hospitality industry; it truly is vast, and you can go anywhere in the world! I learned so much from the many professionals we met, I saw so many amazing hospitality venues and immersed myself into the culture of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Overall, I couldn’t be more grateful to have been chosen to be a part of such a once-in-a-lifetime program, and thankful to have shared this experience with great people!”
Undergraduate - Bizunesh “Buzae” Keith (2025)
I am incredibly blessed and grateful to have been included in the Hospitality Immersion program for Spring Break 2025. Going in, I was simply excited to travel outside the country and explore what Dubai was all about, with only a little knowledge of it beforehand. Once the trip began, I was in a state of pure euphoria the entire time. We got to experience the wealth, innovation, and intricately detailed architecture of both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, while also learning about their rich culture, history, and traditions. I gained invaluable knowledge and experiences that have truly shifted my perspective for the better.
The impact this program has had on my life is beyond words. I now want to explore everything the world has to offer, and I’ve opened my mind to continuing my education internationally after I graduate from Georgia State University.
Undergraduate - Heather Huynh (2025)
This program far exceeded my expectations because it really opened my mind up to all of the possibilities for a career in hospitality. I am more motivated than ever to take action on my career. We are so fortunate as students for this opportunity because ordinarily I would not be able to have access to travel to the UAE let alone go on a private tour of luxury hotels that I can only dream of staying in. The UAE is such a major business hub and to see the amount of world class luxury and hospitality as a hospitality student in the college of business was invaluable. It allowed me to grow more confident in my career and as a result in my personal growth. This trip was for academic purposes, but I was able to learn more about myself and my fantastic classmates that I got to share this experience with. Those memories will last a lifetime.