Ian Cochran is from Baltimore, Maryland, and transferred to FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management in January 2015 from Cecil College in North East, Maryland. Since becoming a student at FIU, he has taken on several leadership roles. As lead peer mentor and a member of the Hospitality Student Leadership Council, Ian chose FIU over other universities because of the national reputation of the Chaplin School and the resources available to students at the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Career Development Program.

Ian is leading the Peer Mentoring Program because he wants to use his industry experience to be another resource for students. He prides himself on helping younger students succeed and develop into hospitality management professionals. Ian’s proudest accomplishment is serving his country as an engineer in the U.S. Marine Corps. His future professional goals include becoming a food and beverage director at one of South Florida’s top beach resort hotels.

Students in the Chaplin School have the opportunity to receive assistance and guidance toward achieving their personal and professional goals from fellow peers in the program who have experience in the hospitality industry.