Worlds Ahead Graduate Archives - Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

Fall 2016 Worlds Ahead Graduate Samuel Kelerstein-Sandler

Samuel Kelerstein-Sandler was born in Mexico to Jewish parents who taught him values such as hard work, honesty, and caring for others. Friends and family usually gathered at his house to celebrate special occasions. From a young age, Samuel wanted to make a difference and at 21, he was leading an organization that taught leadership, loyalty, trust, and tolerance to 250 children and teenagers. After earning a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering in Mexico, Samuel worked for a U.S. computer company for two years. He then decided to switch careers, remembering what he loved the most while growing up – taking care of guests. He started his hospitality career from the bottom up, working with hotels and in restaurants. By age 26, Samuel had created a non-profit promoting the heritage and history of Mexico’s Jewish community. At 28, he was successfully managing a group of restaurants when he decided to pursue a master’s degree in hospitality and tourism management at FIU. Among his many achievements at FIU, he earned the Metromedia Restaurant Minority Scholarship and helped revive the South Florida collegiate chapter of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International. Samuel also has represented FIU at national and international hospitality conferences. He credits professors Rocco Angelo, David Talty, Miranda Kitterlin, John Thomas, and Greg Bohan as mentors. Samuel plans to create new businesses in hospitality that will help make the world a better place. His first venture, involving frozen desserts, is Glyk Gelato, which will open in South Florida soon.

Worlds Ahead Graduate Recognized at Spring 2015 Commencement Ceremony

When Stephanie was in second grade, she struggled heavily with a mild form of dyslexia. Throughout her years in elementary school, her dyslexia held her back from excelling academically and from feeling accepted. After a teacher told her parents that their daughter should not pursue higher education, Stephanie’s mission was to prove everyone wrong. She transferred to the International School of Curaçao and overcame the challenges posed by being dyslexic through fearless determination, hard work, and ambition. In Fall 2012, she became a student at FIU’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. She immediately became involved in student leadership activities and took advantage of the many opportunities for academic and professional development. In May 2013, Stephanie was the only freshman to join a team of eight hospitality management students for an eight-week summer internship program in the gaming capital of the world, Macau. A few months after her return to the United States, Stephanie helped to reinstate the collegiate chapter of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) in South Florida. She was the president of the chapter for two years and did a great job increasing awareness among the student body. As a result, Stephanie was invited to join the Hospitality Student Leadership Council managed by the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Career Development Program at the Chaplin School. Currently, Stephanie is the co-chair of the council and proudly serves as a peer mentor in the program's Peer Mentoring Program. Besides being a full-time student involved in many extracurricular activities, Stephanie is completing a second internship with a Miami–based company that manages large entertainment events. In February 2015, she was a lead associate during the Food Network & Cooking Channel [...]

Hospitality Student Joshua Frost Selected as Summer 2014 World Ahead Graduate

Joshua Frost was recognized by President Mark B. Rosenberg at the Summer 2014 Commencement Ceremony as a Worlds Ahead Graduate. Joshua was nominated by faculty at the Chaplin School as a student who went above and beyond what is expected. Joshua received the Woody Weiser Scholarship in 2013 for his leadership in hospitality management. During his years at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, he also received the National Association of Concessionaires Scholarship and the Senator Jim King Scholarship. Among his other achievements, he made the Dean’s List in Fall 2012, and has served as an advisor on the Dean’s Council. Under the guidance of Professor Carolyn Lusby, Joshua has conducted research on active shooter incidents on campuses. “Florida Public Four- Year Universities Emergency Preparations through Active Shooter Programs” is an ongoing research project that aims to help public universities be better prepared in such cases. The research involved surveying students and police departments in 11 public universities in Florida, including FIU. An active member of Eta Sigma Delta, the International Hospitality and Tourism Management Honor Society, and Kappa Sigma, Joshua contributed to the success of community programs such as the Military Heroes Campaign and fundraising for the B+ Foundation. In July 2013, he designed and delivered Kappa Sigma’s social media presentation at the 69th Grand Conclave in Las Vegas. As a Kappa Sigma Fellow, Joshua serves as a national consultant for more than 300 chapters and chapters in the process of being chartered in North America. Joshua credits Hospitality Law Professor John Thomas, the faculty sponsor of the FIU Chapter of Eta Sigma Delta, as a mentor. After graduation, Joshua plans to further his education. He hopes to one day serve his [...]

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