Washington, D.C. (September 2, 2025) — The Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership (MSCHL) at Howard University is marking a banner H1 2025, reaching new heights in academic achievement, student engagement and industry recognition. As the nation’s premier HBCU-based hospitality leadership center, MSCHL continues to expand its reach and influence across disciplines, equipping students to lead the future of global hospitality.
Since its founding in 2021, through a generous endowment from the J. Willard & Alice S. Marriott Foundation and an additional scholarship fund, the Center has become a dynamic hub for talent cultivation, mentorship and innovation. In the first half of 2025, MSCHL celebrated new leadership, expanded industry partnerships and earned national attention for its many student achievements.
Among the year’s most exciting developments is the appointment of Omari Head as executive director. A former hotel owner and consultant, he has led more than 300 hotel transactions totaling over $1.5 billion. Early in his career, he was one of only a handful of Black hotel brokers in the country. As such, Head brings a unique blend of real-world experience and a passion for education to his new role.
Head’s commitment to creating pathways for Black leadership in hospitality aligns closely with the Center’s mission. His experience spans asset management, entrepreneurship and academia, having taught at institutions including Georgetown University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Cheyney University. He also co-founded NextGen in Lodging and the National Institute of Lodging Education, further showcasing his passion for education and workforce development.
“The Center will develop future executive talent for the hospitality industry, and our revolutionary interdisciplinary approach is the necessary lens to examine the changing workplace and workforce dynamics,” Head said.
This year, MSCHL proudly celebrated a major student achievement when its team won first place in the She Has a Deal (SHaD) hotel pitch competition—the first time an HBCU has earned this distinction. The victory highlights the extraordinary caliber of Howard students and their readiness to innovate in the real estate and investment sectors of hospitality. Brooklynn Tucker, an international business major from Aurora, Colorado, and Kayden Edwards, a supply chain management major from Columbus, Ohio, won the pitch competition with a plan to develop a hotel project they identified in New Orleans.
“HBCU talent is often underestimated and overlooked,” Head asserted. “However, the foundational encouragement matched with student drive and resilience is a winning combination.”
Adding to its growing list of “firsts,” the Center became the first HBCU to charter a chapter of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). Through this chapter, students now have access to industry mentors, global certification programs, and the opportunity to engage in HFTP’s annual conference and exclusive programming.
The Center also rolled out a customized internship program with Donohoe Hospitality that blends hands-on property experience with exposure to corporate hospitality functions. This hybrid model is designed to help students develop a holistic understanding of hospitality operations and leadership roles that support operations.
Further supporting industry engagement, Executive in Residence Elliott Ferguson was recognized with the Lifetime Achievement Award by PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association) for his decades-long leadership at Destination DC and contributions to elevating tourism and events in the nation’s capital.
As MSCHL’s Executive in Residence, Ferguson plays a key role in mentoring students and developing pathways in the tourism and events vertical, connecting them directly to industry leaders and real-world experience.
This fall, MSCHL will further elevate its national presence by joining AHEAD and co-hosting a campus activation event at Howard University in October. The event is designed to introduce students from all academic disciplines — including engineering, interior design, marketing, and computer science — to the breadth of career opportunities in hospitality.
The event will welcome students from across the D.C. region—including fellow HBCUs and high schools—to showcase how the hospitality industry intersects with technology, design, finance, supply chain, and more.
In mid-August, the Center welcomed its third cohort of Marriott-Sorenson Scholars, who will participate in a two-year interdisciplinary program focused on hospitality leadership. This incoming class of students represents a range of majors—from supply chain management and international business to computer science and interior design—underscoring MSCHL’s commitment to advancing diverse pathways into hospitality careers.
The Center’s interdisciplinary approach equips students to lead in the evolving hospitality industry with confidence and creativity. At the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership, “we bring together students from the law school, MBA students and undergraduates, all with an interest in the intersection of hospitality and their degree,” Head shared, noting that the Center’s vision is to position Howard University students front and center in shaping what’s next—whether that’s in operations, design, technology, or strategy.
As the Center continues to break new ground and build new bridges, its focus remains steadfast: empowering excellence in hospitality, reshaping the industry’s future, and redefining what’s possible for the next generation of leaders.
For more information about Howard University’s Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership and upcoming events, visit https://business.howard.edu/hospitality-leadership.
About Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership
The Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership honors the life and legacy of Arne Sorenson. The Center’s vision is to improve the status, access, and experience of Black hospitality professionals and entrepreneurs by promoting education and advancement of Black leadership at the director level and above. The interdisciplinary Center serves students from Howard University’s School of Business, Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts, and Howard Law School. The Center offers education programs, mentorship, coaching, experiential learning, and sponsorship opportunities. Marriott-Sorenson Scholars receive specialized development at the intersection of their academic pursuits and hospitality industry application. For more information, visit https://business.howard.edu/hospitality-leadership.
