Get involved on campus or let us bring campus to you.
There are a variety of ways to connect with College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management students and we’re here to help create the perfect engagement opportunity to meet your community outreach, recruiting or brand visibility needs:
The College of HRSM is always looking for industry professionals and executives to speak to our classes and enrich students’ education with insights and experience. Whether you would like to speak to one class or become a professor for a day, we look forward to welcoming you to our classrooms. We also welcome you to meet with students by visiting our classrooms virtually. Look for our interest form each July for fall semester opportunities and November for the spring semester.
Do you have an executive who is a dynamic speaker who can inspire the next generation of hospitality, retail and sport and entertainment management professionals? Our students greatly benefit from the knowledge shared by proven leaders. Our Dean’s Executive Lecture Series is the perfect forum to share your executive with the college for a day and is a special event that reaches more than 300 students each semester.
On Campus
Immerse students in your organization through a full day of speaking opportunities, classroom lectures, networking, recruiting, co-branded events and more. Corporate days help organizations stand out on campus and give students multiple opportunities to interact with and learn from your recruiting team and industry thought leaders. Send an email to our corporate engagement team at hirehrsm@mailbox.sc.edu to learn more.
At Your Offices
HRSM is known for getting students outside the classroom. Visiting a company headquarters, office, venue or event is an exciting and memorable way for students to learn about the industry, meet professionals where they work and experience company culture first hand.
Our students are passionate, budding para-professionals who are giving back to the field and community through thriving student organizations. The College of HRSM has career-related student organizations that are actively engaging employers and professionals to speak at club meetings, work on service projects and more.
HRSM has 25,000+ alumni working across our industries and around the world. Visit our alumni page to learn more about opportunities for alumni to connect with the college and for companies to connect with our alumni.
Also known as HRSM 301, this specialized course is required for all HRSM majors and is designed to prepare students for their careers with professional development training, including: proper attire, dining etiquette, resume writing, interview skills, networking and more. The course includes a series of interactive events where students get evaluated by industry professionals. Volunteer at an upcoming event to help students practice their skills and get valuable feedback.
A gift to the College can support a student scholarship, professional development program, study abroad opportunity or event to help students reach their career dreams.
Salamander Collection CEO Sheila Johnson sat down with Today Show anchor Craig Melvin to talk about her memoir “Walk Through Fire” as part of the HRSM Dean's Executive Lecture Series. A crowd of more than 300 gathered at the Russell House Theater for the event in fall 2023 and everyone in attendance received a free copy of her book.
Hotel industry leaders Thomas Beyer of Kingsbury Financial, Alia Bostaji of Colliers, Jack Meakin of Hotel Equities, John Schellhase of Peachtree Group and Davis Tart of The Raines Company gave a panel discussion on hotel development, moderated by HRSM School of Hospitality and Tourism Management Instructor Kevin Ayres in fall 2023.
HRSM Retail Week was a huge success thanks to guests like Michael Quirk. The Senior VP of Golf and Strategic Growth for Legends, Quirk shared fascinating insights in the Executive Lecture for our students.
Tricky Stewart, a Grammy-Award winning executive, producer and music industry leader, participated in the HRSM Distinguished Lecture Series. Stewart engaged with students, faculty and staff from across the university, sharing insights on his creative process, career journey, future ventures and professional growth.
Send an email to hirehrsm@mailbox.sc.edu to get in touch with a member of our corporate engagement team.
Vice Dean / Organizational Development and Innovation
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
Erica Lake has many years of experience building relationships with employers and helping them to connect with University of South Carolina students for internships and full-time positions. Prior to Lake's work in the college, she served more than eight years as the associate director for employer relations for the USC Career Center.
Program Manager
College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
Yiming (Krystal) Qi received her bachelor's degree in hospitality management with a minor in event management from the University of South Carolina in May 2022. Qi worked with Sree Hospitality as a guest care associate before beginning her new role with HRSM as a program coordinator.