Linda Hilton connects SDSU students with the future of hospitality

Hilton Foundation chair Linda Hilton will visit SDSU on April 21, offering HTM students insight, leadership and emphasizing the school's international impact

By Frances Kowal

Thursday, April 16, 2026

Four people standing behind a Hilton table at an outdoor campus event. — Hilton table at "Welcome Back Lunch" 2025

With global insights and meaningful career connections, students at San Diego State University’s L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management are developing exceptional relationships with the field's most influential leaders.

On April 21, students will have the opportunity to connect with Linda Hilton, chair of the Hilton Foundation and granddaughter of founder Conrad N. Hilton.

The event is a chance to learn about the history of the hospitality industry, leadership and inspiration, directly from a leading figure in the field. Hilton will present a lecture called “The Hilton Legacy,” giving students insight into the principles that will shape the future of hospitality, along with the values and vision of one of the world’s most recognized hospitality brands.

According to Nikki Loseff, Internship and Placement Director for the HTM program, the visit reflects the school’s renowned reputation and commitment to student involvement.

“Our program has a really strong and longstanding relationship with Hilton,” Loseff said. We invite Hilton to campus every semester, and they recruit for their corporate management development program, along with corporate internships and also local positions, whether those are part-time jobs, seasonal jobs, or even full-time jobs for our current students when they graduate. So we were honored when they reached out asking if we would be interested in hosting Linda Hilton, and we're really excited for her visit.”

According to Loseff, events like this are important as they provide real-world insights and networking opportunities.

In addition to the lecture, students can connect with Hilton representatives at the Hiltons of San Diego Fair and engage with professionals during smaller networking sessions and luncheons.

“Last semester, Hilton sponsored our school's welcome back lunch. And they brought several properties and leaders from those local properties onto campus. I think that had around 250 attendees. So it was really well attended. And a lot of those people converted and interviewed for positions with Hilton,” Loseff said.

What sets SDSU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management apart is its focus on building relationships for career development. Through guest lectures, networking events and direct conversations with industry professionals, students can envision their future careers while forming meaningful relationships.

“By the time they’re a senior, and they’re graduating, they can kind of say, okay, this company is right for me, or this company is right for me because I know the culture. I know what opportunities they offer. I know what my personal development is going to look like with the company,” Loseff said.

These relationships begin early in a student’s academic journey and grow throughout their time at SDSU.

“From the recruiter side, I've heard a lot of recruiters say, I met this student as a freshman … And four years later, I'm hiring them for a position with our company,” Loseff said. “So it's not a transactional thing the way traditional job fairs are. You just go and drop off a resume. It's really about building the relationship between students and potential employers.”

A program with international commitment

The Payne School has a focus on international hospitality and tourism. It has a diverse group of international students and requires everyone to study abroad. This helps students gain a global perspective, which, according to Loseff, is essential for success in the international hospitality and tourism industry.

“It's important for us that by the time they've graduated, they've experienced a different culture and lived outside of the US. Of course, in the field of hospitality and tourism, it's international, right? That's embedded in what we do,” Loseff explained.

As the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management continues to host influential leaders and foster industry partnerships, events like these reinforce its reputation as a premier destination for aspiring hospitality professionals.

“I'm looking forward to the students who have yet to engage with us and engage with the program,” Loseff said. “Coming and kind of seeing what our school is all about and the opportunities that they have to offer. And of course, learning about Hilton's culture, because again, we really try to get students to understand that finding their fit in employment is really important. It's not just about the salary or where they're going to work, but that they actually fit with the company that they're going to start their career with.”