Leading hospitality schools are evolving from traditional talent pipelines into research-and-development partners where industry, faculty and students test new technologies, service models and operational ideas.

\Margie Ferree Jones, dean of The Collins College of Hospitality Management, says hospitality schools increasingly bring industry leaders, faculty, students and philanthropic partners together “to explore ideas, test solutions, and prepare for challenges that are reshaping our industry.”

This cover story also highlights a Cal Poly Pomona student team’s second-place finish in the Bronco Startup Challenge for a sensory-friendly hospitality concept and lists The Collins College among the magazine’s leading U.S. hospitality schools, recognized for its Foodservice Management & Culinary Innovation niche and The Restaurant at Kellogg Ranch as an experiential-learning facility. 

This article was originally published by Lodging Magazine on September 9, 2026. View the feature on Pages 20-25.