Message from the Dean
Florida International University’s Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management is shining brighter than ever and bringing hospitality education to life by training the future leaders of hospitality in unique and innovative ways. In 2024, our faculty published significant research, our administration and staff hosted world class conferences, our students took part in unique experiences and heard from world-class speakers and our program got a whole new degree.
2024 has been an historic year. Our program rose as a leader in hospitality education. As the second largest hospitality school in the country, FIU’s Chaplin School stands proudly in the Top 1% of global hospitality programs and is the #6 best U.S. public hospitality and tourism management program, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
In January, we hosted the Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality & Tourism at our very own Kovens Conference Center. More than two dozen universities participated, with more than 300 paper submissions accepted. The hosting duties continued in May with the 2024 Sustainable Hospitality Challenge Semi-Finals: Americas. The prestigious conference brought together students, faculty and industry from dozens of countries to focus on the evolution of sustainable hospitality. We had our own student team take part in the student competition.
Ranked among the top hospitality schools in the world
- #6U.S. public hospitality school (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024 U.S. Public Rankings)
- Top 1%Global Hospitality Program (QS World University Rankings)
- #3Best Florida Universities (2024 Best Colleges)
2024 Enrollment
Hospitality Degrees Awarded in 2024
Undergrad Degrees: 758
Graduate Degrees: 158
Total: 916
Alumni, Faculty, and Staff Stats
20,000 + Alumni
56 Staff Members
31 Full Time Faculty Members
Unique Programs Offered
9
Undergraduate specializations
7
Graduate Programs
1
Doctorate Degree
The Best in Value
Academic Year 2024
Undergraduate In-State Tuition
$6,566 per year
Undergraduate Out-of-state Tuition
$18,964 per year
Graduate In-State Tuition
$15,015 total
Graduate Out-of-State and International Tuition
$33,033 total
Fully Online
$27,000 total
Student Successes
Alexandra Poit '22, MS '24
Starting her hospitality career in events, Alexandra Poit quickly advanced from server to Event Manager at a local Miami banquet hall. After a year of organizing weddings and quinceañeras, she became Recruitment Coordinator for the South Beach Wine & Food Festival® and was elected Vice President of the Bartenders Guild at FIU. She embraced opportunities like Bartenders Guild activations, POD courses, and student panel discussions. Networking at a Bartenders Guild event led to an HR role with Levy Restaurants at the Kaseya Center, home of the Miami Heat. Poit now manages the Bacardí Ocho Lounge, delivering exceptional guest experiences and leading her team, collaborating with multiple departments to integrate more training and development initiatives.
Matthew Varela '23
Matthew Varela graduated with his Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management in 2023 and is now the Associate Event Manager for the Miami Design District where he manages the planning and execution of innovative events and brings experiences to life. As a student, Matthew said “yes” to many opportunities and was a lead volunteer at SOBEWFF®, worked at Formula 1 Grand Prix Miami and was a commercial planning and activation Intern at Bacardi.
“When you’re a student at the Chaplin School, you have access to the best resources- teachers, organizations, and faculty- all of which will help you advance in your professional and academic careers. One of the first things I took advantage of was the career office and their incredible staff, a decision which continues to pay off in my professional life today.”
Rita Mendonça '22, MS '24
Rita Mendonça is a double Panther with undergraduate and graduate degrees from FIU, recently completing her Master’s in Hospitality Management with a focus on Cruise Line Operations. While earning her degree, she interned in Hotel Operations at Royal Caribbean and later joined the company full-time as an analyst. She completed a 2-year rotational program, including 3 months onboard Symphony of the Seas and three 6-month shoreside rotations in Guest Services, Entertainment, and Private Destinations. Now a senior analyst, Mendonça oversees group operations from a Hotel Operations perspective, managing a team of 50+ Group Coordinators onboard. She dreams of one day owning a business to create unforgettable memories for others.
Faculty Research
At FIU, we search the world for real solutions to global problems. FIU researchers are using real innovation to make a real difference.
As South Florida’s only public research university, our drive to make our world a better place has earned us a distinction few other universities can match: R1 Carnegie Very High Research Designation, the top-tier category for doctoral research universities.
At FIU Hospitality, our faculty are constantly conducting research that influences business practices and sets new industry standards in hospitality and tourism.
Articles in Top Publications
Featured News
Best career advice no matter your major: an FIU founder and hospitality industry legend tells it like it is
College of Business and Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management team up to add a concentration to the doctoral program
Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management establishes new real estate executive advisory board
Community Connections
FIU Hospitality continuously engages the community of hospitality industry and academic professionals alike.
Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism
FIU Hospitality proudly hosted the 29th Annual Graduate Education and Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality and Tourism at the Kovens Conference Center on FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus, January 4–6, 2024.
The conference received a record 302 submissions, with 125 accepted for stand-up presentations and 164 for poster presentations. Nine track chairs from eight institutions oversaw the rigorous review process, supported by 284 reviewers, with each paper reviewed by at least two. Congratulations to all authors whose papers were accepted!
Sustainable Hospitality Challenge
FIU Hospitality had the honor of hosting the 2024 Sustainable Hospitality Challenge Semi-Finals: Americas at Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay Campus. This prestigious conference is an initiative by the HotelSchool the Hague and aims to enhance the evolution of sustainable hospitality through exciting shark-tank-style competitions.
Rising Star
Every year, FIU Hospitality hosts the Rising Star Awards which recognizes alumni who are top in their field in every aspect of the hospitality and tourism industry. Launched in 2019, the awards also mark the school’s first official alumni reunion, held annually at the Biscayne Bay Campus with honorees and their families.
Vidal-Duart Wine Studies Program Events and Master Classes
The Vidal-Duart Wine Studies Program offers a range of events for students and industry professionals to be fully immersed in our rich wine curriculum. Through innovative technology and modern pedagogy, our events transport learners to new destinations and into new experiences through our wine and food laboratories, wine tastings, guest lectures by top-notch industry experts and wine industry certification courses.