Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management
| Company type | Public academic college |
|---|---|
| Industry | Hospitality management education |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder | James C. Taylor (proposed) |
| Headquarters | Houston , United States |
| Products | Undergraduate and graduate degrees in hospitality management |
| Website | www |
The Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership (commonly known as Hilton College) at the University of Houston is a public institution dedicated to hospitality management education. It is among the 13 academic colleges offering business-related degrees at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
History
Hilton College was founded in 1969 after James C. Taylor proposed the creation of a hospitality school to Eric and Barron Hilton, sons of Conrad Hilton, who contributed $1.5 million to initiate the endeavor. The inaugural classes commenced on September 16, 1969, with an enrollment of 39 students and three faculty members, under the leadership of Dean Taylor.
The college’s first graduating cohort in 1971 consisted of eight students, many of whom transferred from other University of Houston programs.
In 1975, the institution unveiled a new facility that included the Hilton University of Houston Hotel and Conference Center.
A significant $21.3 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation in 1983 supported both expansion and endowment growth, culminating in the opening of the South Wing in 1989, which added 94,000 square feet dedicated to educational and event spaces.
The Hilton University of Houston underwent a $12.5 million renovation in 2010 aimed at modernizing its infrastructure and enhancing hands-on learning experiences; this was its first major refurbishment since its original construction in 1975.
Hilton College is home to four specialized hospitality research institutes, along with the Hospitality Hall of Honor, the Massad Family Library Research Center, and the Hospitality Industry Archives.
On February 28, 2022, the college’s name changed from Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management to Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership to better represent its broadened international scope.
Barron's Restaurant
Barron's Restaurant, named after Barron Hilton, is a student-operated dining facility within Hilton College designed to foster experiential learning. It operates during lunch hours Monday through Friday throughout the fall and spring semesters and is entirely staffed by students who manage all aspects from leadership to service. Barron’s serves as a practical laboratory for two courses: Food & Beverage Service and Advanced Food & Beverage Management, where students implement industry practices learned in class during their shifts. In fall 2012, Barron's revamped its offerings with a new Bistro-style menu.
Cougar Grounds
Launched in January 2009, Cougar Grounds is recognized as the first university coffee shop in the United States managed by students as part of an entrepreneurship course. This venture provides a real-world environment where students gain experience in small business operations such as marketing, sales strategies, pricing tactics, payroll management, cost control, inventory oversight, and product innovation.
Hilton University of Houston
Situated on campus within the Wheeler District, the Hilton University of Houston is a full-service Hilton hotel that functions as the main instructional facility for Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management. Originally constructed in 1975 and refurbished in 2010 with an investment of $12.5 million, it offers 86 guest rooms alongside 25,000 square feet dedicated to banquet facilities. Students participate in internships rotating through guest services, hotel operations, and banquet management roles.
Hospitality Hall of Honor
Hilton College is home to the Hospitality Hall of Honor, founded in 1995 to celebrate distinguished figures within the hospitality sector. Beginning in 1996, a distinguished group of inductees has been honored each year at a formal reception and dinner hosted at the Hilton University of Houston, an event coordinated by student leaders. The week leading up to the induction includes specialized Think Tanks designed for student engagement with industry topics.
Student organizations
Hilton College offers support to 16 student groups, each guided by a faculty advisor, covering diverse areas of the hospitality field. These organizations actively participate in community outreach and professional networking activities. Prominent groups consist of:
- Club Managers Association of America (CMAA)
- Conrad N. Hilton Ambassadors
- Disney College Program
- Eta Sigma Delta
- Graduate Student Association (GSA)
- Green Team
- Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals - Cougar Chapter (HFTP-CC)
- Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
- Hotel Management Society (HMS)
- Houston Spa Association—Student Chapter
- National Association of Catering and Events (NACE)
- National Society of Minorities in Hospitality—Cougar Chapter (NSMH-CC)
- Par Excellence
- Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA)
- Texas Restaurant Association Cougar Chapter (TRACC)
- Wine & Spirits Management Association (WSMA)