The Collaborative Consortium for Hospitality and Tourism Excellence (CCHTE) is a multi-institutional partnership led by Texas A&M University’s Arch H. Aplin III ’80 Department of Hospitality, Hotel Management and Tourism (HMGT). Bringing together four leading partner institutions—Penn State University, Florida International University, University of Houston, and Cal Poly Pomona—the consortium is designed to foster collaboration in hospitality and tourism education. Its purpose is to expand pathways for high-achieving, diverse students into doctoral and graduate programs, while strengthening long-term faculty partnerships across institutions.
Guidelines for Participation
Eligibility for recruitment visits
Undergraduate (sophomore, junior, and senior) and master’s students from partner institutions who demonstrate strong academic performance and an interest in hospitality and tourism research are eligible to participate in recruitment visits. Faculty may nominate students based on academic promise, research engagement, and leadership potential.
How to express interest
Interested students should connect with their faculty representatives at Penn State, Florida International University, University of Houston, Cal Poly Pomona, or Texas A&M University. Faculty coordinators will provide details about application procedures, nomination processes, and upcoming opportunities. Students may also reach out directly to the consortium’s administrative team at HMGT for more information.
Deadlines or upcoming opportunities
Recruitment visits, symposiums, and the Summer Experience Institute will be scheduled annually, with calls for nominations shared each semester through partner institutions. Students are encouraged to check with their department or consortium faculty leaders early in the academic year to ensure consideration for upcoming activities.
Planned Activities & Timeline
- Recruitment Visits: The consortium will implement both in-person and virtual recruitment visits to connect with talented students from partner institutions. Selected students will visit Texas A&M to participate in academic presentations, research showcases, faculty and student interactions, and campus tours. Virtual outreach, including webinars and Q&A sessions, will ensure broader access and engagement across all partner institutions.
- Summer Experience Institute: This 10-day residential program at Texas A&M will provide students and faculty with immersive exposure to graduate-level research, professional development, and mentorship. Participants will attend workshops on advanced topics such as big data, GIS, artificial intelligence, and experimental design, while also receiving graduate school readiness training and personalized mentoring.
- Interdisciplinary Symposium: The Interdisciplinary Symposium on Hospitality & Tourism Innovation will bring together faculty, students, and industry professionals to share cutting-edge research and foster collaboration. The symposium will feature keynote speakers, student poster sessions, and faculty incubator sessions, where new research ideas can be pitched and developed into joint projects across institutions.
- Virtual Collaboration Platform: To maintain momentum between in-person activities, the consortium will operate a virtual collaboration and knowledge-sharing network. This platform will provide faculty, students, and staff with access to research outputs, program announcements, and collaborative opportunities. Regular virtual meetings will sustain engagement and support long-term strategic planning among partner institutions.
Opportunities for Students
- On-campus recruitment visits: Students will have the opportunity to participate in recruitment visits at Texas A&M, where they will engage in academic presentations, research showcases, campus tours, and one-on-one interactions with faculty and graduate students. These experiences provide direct exposure to graduate education pathways and help students envision themselves as future doctoral candidates.
- Paid Summer Experience Institute through HMGT: The Summer Experience Institute at Texas A&M offers a fully funded, 10-day residential program that immerses students in academic enrichment and graduate school preparation. Participants will receive financial support to cover travel, lodging, and meals, ensuring accessibility for students from all backgrounds
- Mentorship from top faculty across the 5 current schools: Students will be paired with faculty mentors from Texas A&M and the four partner institutions—Penn State, Florida International University, University of Houston, and Cal Poly Pomona. This multi-institutional mentoring structure gives students access to diverse perspectives, specialized expertise, and personalized guidance as they prepare for advanced academic and professional opportunities.
- Cutting-edge research training (AI, GIS, Big Data, Experimental Design): Participants will gain hands-on training in advanced research methods and technologies critical to the future of hospitality and tourism. Through workshops on artificial intelligence, geographic information systems, big data analytics, and experimental design, students will build technical skills and research confidence that position them for success in doctoral studies and beyond.
- Participation in a national academic network: As part of the consortium, students will join a national network of peers, faculty, and industry partners committed to advancing hospitality and tourism scholarship. Through conferences, symposiums, and the virtual collaboration platform, students will build professional connections, present their work, and become part of a community shaping the future of the field.
