An exciting head-start in hospitality and a taste of college life at Pepperdine University.
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A Taste of College Life
For 10 unforgettable days, students live and learn at Pepperdine University’s stunning Malibu campus, experiencing a first glimpse of college life in a safe and supportive environment. From dorm-style housing overlooking the Pacific Ocean to meals in the student dining hall, participants enjoy the rhythm of campus living while forming lasting friendships with peers from across the country.
Guided by trained counselors and faculty, students get an early sense of independence—navigating campus, managing their schedule, and balancing classroom learning with hands-on activities. This immersive experience helps demystify the transition to college and gives students the confidence to picture themselves thriving at a university in the future.
Career Head-Start
Students gain rare access to the inner world of hospitality—an opportunity few ever experience so early in their careers. Through behind-the-scenes site visits to Los Angeles’ most iconic and luxurious hotels, participants step into the heart of operations, learning directly from those who set the standard for excellence.
Intimate guest speaker sessions with industry leaders and executives provide insights, mentorship, and inspiration that can’t be found in textbooks. Students begin building meaningful connections with professionals and peers alike—relationships that often grow into lifelong networks.
Beyond the 10 days in Malibu, Academy alumni enjoy exclusive access to internship opportunities and career resources, giving them a valuable head start in one of the world’s most dynamic industries.
Rigorous Curriculum
The curriculum blends exciting off-campus immersion with university-style instruction, preparing students for college while building teamwork, leadership, and analytics skills to develop self-confidence.
HOTEL SITE VISITS
Students step behind the scenes at iconic hotels including the Ritz-Carlton, Viceroy, EDITION, Shutters on the Beach and others, learning firsthand how world-class properties operate.
EXECUTIVE SPEAKER SERIES
Intimate sessions with experts, executives and industry leaders provide insider perspectives on design, marketing, operations, trends, and strategy.
CLASSROOM FOUNDATIONS
Led by a hospitality instructor, students explore the fundamentals of hotel management, from operations to guest experience.
CASE STUDY METHOD
In line with top business schools, students sharpen their analytical skills and practice sound decision-making through real-world scenarios.
TEAM CONCEPT PROJECT
Collaborating in teams, students synthesize classroom learning and site visit insights into a fully developed hotel concept, culminating in a pitch to peers.
READING SEMINAR
Daily reflections on business profiles by founders inspire students to explore the role of vision, values, and leadership in building a lasting brand.
Explore Los Angeles
In addition to their academic schedule, students enjoy structured time to explore Los Angeles’ most unique sites. Highlights include the Griffith Observatory, the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Santa Monica Pier, and coastal hikes along Malibu’s shoreline.
Exploring LA is more than fun—it’s a lesson in hospitality. As students visit iconic attractions, they see firsthand how tourism drives hotel sales and marketing, and why a city’s experiences are central to its hospitality success.
Experiencing these iconic destinations alongside like-minded peers from across the nation, students forge strong bonds and friendships that become an unforgettable part of their 10-day journey.
A Day at the Academy
Life at the Academy moves to a dynamic rhythm—balancing intensive, behind-the-scenes immersion days with slower-paced campus days. On immersion days, students step inside hotels for exclusive tours, workshops, and executive sessions. On campus days, students dive into classroom instruction, share lunch with industry leaders, collaborate on team projects, and enjoy time together on group hikes along Malibu’s scenic coast.
SAMPLE AGENDA: ON-SITE IMMERSION
7:30AM Breakfast
8:30AM Depart for Site Visit
9:00AM Site Visit: Viceroy Santa Monica
11:45AM Site Visit: Ritz Carlton Marina del Ray
1:15PM Lunch with GM of Ritz Carlton
2:45PM Depart for Campus
4:00PM Classroom Lecture
6:00PM Dinner
7:30PM Group Project Work Time
Site Visits & Speakers
Students are currently scheduled to gain behind-the-scenes access and operational experiences at the following properties:
The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey
The Peninsula Beverly Hills
The Viceroy Santa Monica
The West Hollywood EDITION
Shutters on the Beach
Hotel Casa del Mar
The following industry leaders are currently scheduled for intimate luncheons or guest speakerships to enhance the curriculum and student networking:
Dr. Jackie Filla, President & CEO, Hotel Association of Los Angeles
Charlie Lopez-Quintana, Vice President, ETC Hotels
Offer Nissenbaum, Managing Director, The Peninsula Hotels
Nicholas Dumbell, General Manager, Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey
Robert Thomas, General Manager, West Hollywood EDITION
Areas of Study
Each day, classroom work focuses on core hotel fundamentals:
The Hotel Landscape & Hotel Operations
Hotel Segments, Ownership Models, Core Operations (Front Office, Housekeeping, Maintenance), and the Guest Cycle.
Unique Branding, Sales & Marketing
Brand Identity, Distribution Channels, and Digital & Traditional Marketing Strategies.
Creative Design & Spaces
Architectural Vision, Interior Design, Physical Guest Flow, Lobby Design, and Functional Room Design.
The Art of Guest Experience
Hospitality vs. Service, Guest Journey Mapping, Personalization, Problem Resolution, and Unique Onsite Experiences.
Food & Beverage Management
F&B Segments, Menu Engineering Basics, and F&B as a Brand Differentiator.
Sustainability, Technology, and Future Trends
Sustainable Practices (Energy, Water, Waste), Social Impact (CSR), and Guest-Facing Technology.
Feasibility Study & Site Selection
Site Criteria, Competition Analysis, Demand Generators, and the SWOT Analysis.
Financial Fundamentals
Key Metrics (RevPAR, ADR, Occupancy), P&L Basics, and Dynamic Pricing.
Career Readiness & Group Hotel Pitches
Pathways in Luxury Hospitality, Interviewing Skills, and Presentation Preparation.