Student Advisory Board
The Student Advisory Board (SAB) was created to give undergraduate students an effective way to communicate with the school's senior administrators. We strive to actively and accurately represent all voices of the school, including students, staff, and faculty.
Mission Statement
The Hotel School Student Advisory Board works closely with Dean Walsh and her leadership team to represent the undergraduate students, gather student feedback, and recommend courses of action to improve the student experience.
Top Objectives
- Create a satisfying education experience for Hotel School undergraduate students.
- Ensure all student interests are well represented through active communication among the student body, board members, and school leadership.
- Identify, take action, and follow up on all student concerns.
Contact Us
We encourage you to express your ideas and concerns, as well as to provide input, suggestions, and feedback for us to share with the administration. You can do so through a submission to The Box—an anonymous channel provided by the SAB to ease and broaden communication between the undergraduate student population and the dean. Discover more at The Box website.
Advisory Board Members
JT Baker, Class of 2021
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2021
Minor/concentration: Undecided
Appointed to the SAB: November 2017
Professional interests/experiences: JT is immensely passionate about pursuing a career in hospitality, with a strong focus in real estate. He was introduced to the hospitality industry at an early age by working in his parents' family-owned restaurant and catering company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He currently works for Thor Development, a turnkey real estate developing company in Minneapolis, and he plans on working for the Minnesota Vikings in the upcoming summer to diversify his professional experience and gain insight into the sports-administration industry.
Activities/interests: JT is on the Cornell varsity football team, a representative for the Cornell Minority Business Student Association, and a Hotel School student ambassador.
SAB engagement: JT believes that the School of Hotel Administration is one of the most inclusive and supportive academic communities in the country, and he wishes to continue promoting this inclusiveness and to mold the Hotel School to continue being a leader for all other schools and communities. One of JT's biggest focuses is to ensure that minority students within the Hotel School, and Cornell in general, have access to the same resources and opportunities as other students, and truly have an enriching experience.
Samay Bansal, Class of 2020
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: December 2020
Minor/concentration: Applied Economics minor; Food & Beverage Operations concentration
Appointed to the SAB: November 2018
Professional interests/experiences: Samay’s professional interests include food and beverage operations, entrepreneurship, and restaurant economics. In the winter of 2018, he interned at the Armani Hotel in Dubai in the Food and Beverage Department. Additionally, Samay spends much of his week working in the banquet kitchen in the Statler Hotel. Moving forward, Samay looks to secure a management position within a large restaurant group.
Activities/interests: Samay is actively involved in Hotel Ezra Cornell and serves as an Assistant Function Manager for Employee Dining in the Culinary Team. His interests also include travel, storytelling, philanthropy, and photography. During his gap year, Samay established the Million Meals Challenge, an organisation that aims to support low-income individuals in North India.
SAB engagement: Samay is looking to support his fellow students and help ensure the School of Hotel Administration’s interests are heard as the SC Johnson College of Business continues to grow. Additionally, he aims to create opportunities for international students to connect over shared experiences, and provide extra support to transfer students during their first semester in Statler Hall.
Nelson Billington, Class of 2019
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2019
Minor/concentration: Undecided
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2015
Professional interests/experiences: Nelson has a passion for and interest in restaurants, the travel industry, and special events. Over the last five years, he has consulted for over a half-dozen companies in the Washington, D.C. area and Charleston, SC. Through work with Washingtonian magazine, he has written a weekly events blog post. Additionally, Nelson has worked with Venga, a technology startup focused on the hospitality industry. In 2016, he spent a month working in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for NBC Olympics on the 2016 Summer Games. Last summer, Nelson worked on sales and account management for Coyle Hospitality Group.
Activities/interests: Currently, Nelson works as a luxury travel advisor for MilesAhead, a luxury travel concierge. At Cornell, Nelson is a member of Pi Sigma Epsilon, a professional business fraternity.
SAB engagement: Through his work with the SAB, Nelson hopes to connect with first-year students through events like Downtime with the Dean. By working with Dean Walsh and other student leaders, he wants to ensure that the values of the Hotel School are best represented in the new structure of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
Thomas Johnson, Class of 2019
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2019
Minor/concentration: Undecided
Appointed to the SAB: November 2016
Professional interests/experiences: Thomas's professional interests include finance, real estate, law, and academia. He hopes to eventually land a management role with a professional sports franchise or a large financial corporation, but is also considering becoming a professor and pursuing an academic career. Thomas has interned at the Ritz Carlton Beach Resort and Spa in Naples, Florida, and for the Buccini/Pollin Group, a real estate acquisition, management, and development company in Washington, D.C. Thomas looks forward to joining Hyatt Hotels Corporation as a feasibility and development finance intern in Chicago during the summer of 2018.
Activities/interests: Thomas is studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain for the spring 2018 semester. He is an active member of the Cornell Club Lacrosse team, and is an avid sports fan, having played football and lacrosse in high school. Thomas is also a member of the Delta Phi (Llenroc) fraternity. He enjoys traveling with his parents and two older brothers, who are also Cornellians. Thomas was born in Ann Arbor, moved to Ithaca when he was nine, and called Boston home for the last two years, and soon Cleveland will be his new hometown.
SAB Engagement: As a member of the SAB, Thomas works to create a welcoming community that is open and inclusive for all members in the School of Hotel Administration. Most recently, he assisted with the development of "The Box" and was one of the leads on the recruiting team last fall. Thomas was recently invited to join the SC Johnson College of Business Student Advisory Board, where his focus will be to help increase connectivity, collaboration, and efficiency among the three schools while maintaining the unique character and identity of each.
Eri Kato, Class of 2020
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2020
Minor/concentration: Real estate minor; law concentration
Appointed to the SAB: November 2016
Professional interests/experiences: Eri's professional interests include international business and law, and she aspires to work in the legal or diplomacy field. The Cornell Hotel School is her first dip into the hospitality industry, following her previous involvement in TEDx and the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.
Activities/interests: In addition to being an active member of After Eight A Cappella and the Cornell University Chorus, Eri is involved with the Kappa Alpha Phi pre-law fraternity, Cornell Undergraduate Asia Business Society, and Hotel School Ambassadors.
SAB engagement: Eri wishes to improve the day-to-day experiences of Hotelies and those who frequent Statler Hall. She works to strengthen the linkage institution between the administration and the student body, with a special focus on international students and their adaptation to the American college life.
Harrison King, Class of 2020
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2020
Minor/concentration: Concentration in finance, accounting, and real estate with minors in both information science and real estate
Appointed to the SAB: November 2017
Professional interests/experiences: Professional interests/experiences: At the age of 13, Harrison started his business career by interning at several different restaurants and hotels across Connecticut and NYC, particularly Revel in the Meatpacking District. It is there where he first gained his passion for business. Harrison's career interests now lie in the field of finance, particularly within investment banking and security analysis. Harrison has been interning since his freshman year with Morgan Stanley in their world headquarters in NYC. For his sophomore summer, Harrison interned within Morgan Stanley's Leveraged Finance Group and is happy to have accepted a return offer for his junior summer within Morgan Stanley's Investment Banking Division. He is also a Teaching Assistant for Advanced Corporate Finance and Introduction to Corporate Finance.
Activities/interests: Harrison is currently Head of New Member Development and Technology Sector Project Leader within Apex Capital Fund, an investment club on campus. In addition, he is Co-Founder, Treasurer, Head of New Member Development for Cornell Financial Analysts, a club focused on financial education. Before coming to Cornell, Harrison was inducted into the National Honor Society, Italian National Honor Society, and Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society. In his free time, Harrison enjoys fishing and playing tennis and golf.
SAB engagement: While on the Student Advisory Board, Harrison is interested in exploring options to create a "Hotelie Meal Plan" that would alleviate the burden of insufficient BRBs while also allowing for unlimited Mac's and Terrace food swipes. In addition, he would like to explore options to increase the number of technological accessories within the Marriott Student Learning Center, such as chargers and adapters, with a distinct color-coding system. Harrison is also deeply committed to promoting and working on diversity initiatives throughout the school to ensure that every SHA student's opinion is voiced and listened to.
Jonathan Lee, Class of 2020
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2020
Minor/concentration: Real estate minor; finance concentration
Appointed to the SAB: November 2016
Professional interests/experiences: Jonathan will be working as a real estate development analyst at Hyatt Development Corporation in Chicago this summer. Last summer, he worked as a finance intern at Four Seasons Hotels and as a real estate consultant performing valuation work for a family office. He plans to pursue a career in the areas of hospitality real estate finance and asset management upon graduation.
Activities/interests: Jonathan currently serves as the president of the Cornell Real Estate Club. He is also an active member of the Johnson Museum of Art student advisory committee and the Cornell Club Tennis Team. He previously served as a director for the Cornell Hotel Society, Collegiate Chapter, a guest experience manager for Hotel Ezra Cornell, and a member of the Hotel Leadership Development Program. Jonathan is currently a member of the Delta Phi (Llenroc) fraternity.
SAB engagement: Jonathan looks forward to working with fellow SAB members and Dean Walsh in continuing to focus on improving the overall student experience at the Hotel School. He is also interested in helping create opportunities for Hotel School students to discover their passions and interests professionally. Among the projects Jonathan is currently leading is the creation of an internship scholarship fund for Hotel School students.
Jeffrey Liao, Class of 2020
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2020
Minor/concentration: Real estate minor; marketing concentration
Appointed to the SAB: November 2017
Professional interests/experiences: Jeffrey's professional interests lie within hospitality operations and fitness. He hopes to apply the knowledge and skillsets gained in the hospitality industry to the growing fitness industry. Jeffrey previously worked at Hakkasan New York and Bouley Restaurant, and interned at Rocco Forte Hotels and Denihan Hospitality Group. He currently works at the Regent Lounge at the Statler Hotel. Originally from Taiwan, Jeffrey spent his past summer serving in the Taiwanese army.
Activities/interests: Jeffrey is an active member in the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International, Cornell chapter. He serves as a sales manager for the 93rd Annual Hotel Ezra Cornell. Passionate about healthful snacking, Jeffrey serves as a brand ambassador for Siete Family Foods, a new health-conscious tortilla-and-tortilla-chip company. In his free time, Jeffrey enjoys boutique fitness classes, café hopping, and healthfuly cooking.
SAB engagement: Jeffrey is eager to improve the Hotelie experience, especially for international students unaccustomed to American culture and transfer students new to the Cornell community.
Shanna Martin, Class of 2021
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2021
Minor/concentration: Spanish minor
Appointed to the SAB: November 2017
Professional interests/experiences: After working as a research assistant, office intern, front desk agent, and waitress, Shanna is most interested in pursuing a career in hotel operations. She also has a passion for international business.
Activities/interests: Outside of the SAB, Shanna is the marketing chair for the Court-Kay-Bauer Residence Hall Council. She is also a cheerleader for Cornell men's varsity football and basketball.
SAB engagement: Shanna is eager to take an active role in optimizing the Hotel School experience for both current and future students. Primarily, she hopes to increase communication between students and the administration and faculty.
Liam O'Brien, Class of 2020
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2020
Minor/Concentration: French
Appointed to the SAB: November 2017
Professional interests/experiences: Liam's experience is primarily focused in restaurant operations. He has worked in the kitchen as well as the front of house. Liam is also interested in government, political science, and international affairs.
Activities/interests: Liam works as a writing consultant in the SHA Communications Center. He is also a Hotel School ambassador and a line cook at Taverna Banfi.
SAB engagement: Liam is excited to start his first semester on the Student Advisory Board.
Kyra Roach, Class of 2022
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2022
Minor/concentration: Undecided
Appointed to the SAB: November 2018
Professional interests/experiences: Kyra is primarily interested in hospitality operations, specifically with conference and event planning. Kyra realized this passion during her work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where she organized fundraiser events. This summer she looks to further develop her experience in the hotel industry as a food and beverage intern at the Denver Four Seasons.
Activities/interests: In addition to working as a server at the Statler Hotel Regent Lounge, Kyra is a Design Manager for Hotel Ezra Cornell and a guide for Cornell’s Outdoor Odyssey Program. In her free time, Kyra enjoys cooking, travelling, and skiing.
SAB engagement: In just her first week at the Hotel School, Kyra was impressed by the resources and opportunities the Hotel School offers. She now looks to ensure that every student has access to and support in pursuing these resources. Kyra truly enjoys every second of her SHA experience and wants to share that passion with her fellow Hotelies.
Walter Salas, Class of 2019
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2019
Minor/concentration: Undecided
Appointed to the SAB: November 2016
Professional interests/experiences: Walter's professional interests are wholeheartedly in operations, specifically in food & beverage. Walter has interned in different hotels around the country including the Intercontinental Downtown Miami, the Westin Times Square, and the St. Regis San Francisco. Through his search in full time employment opportunities, Walter is looking to follow his passion for hospitality and continue in the heart of hotels and restaurants pursuing an operations career after graduation.
Activities/interests: Walter is part of the Hotel Leadership Development Program, where he is able to cross train in multiple departments at The Statler Hotel. He has worked every front of house position at Taverna Banfi for three years, and has also worked in the kitchen, the front office, Mac's, and purchasing/receiving. Through this program, Walter is now the student manager at Taverna Banfi. Other activities and interests include participating in the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality and Club Managers Association of America. Walter has also studied abroad Spring 2018 completing a voyage around the world through Semester At Sea.
SAB engagement: As a member of the Student Advisory Board, Walter hopes to voice the concerns and opportunities from the student body to discuss during the SAB meetings. Walter wants to represent the passion for operations in the Hotel School and diversify the board with those interested in pursuing a career in this field. He believes that the recruitment process is crucial to the advisory board, as we are representing the voices of everyone in the Hotel School. Walter also wants to work closely with the Office of Student Services to facilitate the studying abroad process to give students a once in a lifetime chance to explore another part of the world.
Tatiana Suero, Class of 2019
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2019
Minor/concentration: Undecided
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2015
Professional interests/experiences: Tatiana plans on exploring different areas of hospitality in order to find her niche. At the moment, she holds a strong interest within event management.
To date, Tatiana has:
- Worked at Lui Lui of Nashua, NH as a hostess and server
- Worked at Taverna Banfi of Ithaca, NY as a server
- Externed at the Westin Georgetown in the Event Management Department
Activities/interests:
- Outreach chair for Comunidad Latinx in Hospitality
- Member of National Society of Minorities in Hospitality
- Member of Club Managers Association of America
SAB engagement: In SAB, Tatiana wishes to continue strengthening the tight-knit community of the Hotel School. She wants to build a strong relationship between the students and the administration to continue to make the Hotel School the best it can be.
Caleb Trieu, Class of 2022
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2022
Minor/concentration: Undecided
Appointed to the SAB: November 2018
Professional interests/experiences: Professional Interests/experiences: As a self-proclaimed "AvGeek" (aviation geek), Caleb aspires to work in the commercial aviation industry. He plans to complement his aviation passions with finance, consulting, and operations experiences. Prior to attending the Hotel School, Caleb worked as an administrative assistant and robotics research assistant at California State University of Bakersfield. He was a rooms division extern at The Westin St. Francis San Francisco on Union Square and will intern in revenue management at Hilton San Francisco Union Square this summer.
Activities/interests: Caleb is a member of Asian American Intervarsity and continues to explore the wide array of career opportunities Hotelies have through Cornell Hospitality Consulting and Cornell Real Estate Club. In addition, he delves into his commercial aviation pursuits through Air + Sea Hospitality and Alpha Eta Rho, a professional aviation fraternity.
SAB engagement: In the Student Advisory Board, Caleb looks forward to contributing to the overall tight-knit and supportive environment of the Hotel School. He especially wishes to represent Hotelies with less traditional career paths and those seeking additional support throughout their time at Cornell.
Hamid Waraich, Class of 2022
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2022
Minor/concentration: Real Estate Minor/ Finance, Accounting, and Real Estate
Appointed to the SAB: November 2018
Professional interests/experiences: Hamid’s professional interests include commercial real estate finance, development, and asset management. At a young age, he started working at his family’s business when they began shifting from operating gas stations to hotels. During this period, he learned the complexities and challenges of running a business. As he grew older, he transitioned from working front line shifts to taking a larger management role. When the business expanded into development, he took this opportunity to immerse himself into the new field. Although he learned about the stressfulness of development, he fell in love with this facet of real estate. Outside of his interest for real estate, he was a teacher at a weekend school that he previously attended. This taught him about the satisfaction of giving back to his community. This summer, he looks forward to working with a multinational hospitality company in their business development team.
Activities/interests: In addition to the Student Advisory Board, Hamid is a member of the Apex Capital Fund, Global Economics & Finance Society, and Cornell Real Estate Club. He is also involved in the Cornell Muslim Educational and Cultural Association, as well as the Pakistani Students Association. Outside of University, Hamid dedicates time to charitable endeavors.
SAB engagement: During Hamid’s time on the Student Advisory Board, he wishes to strengthen the relationship of the Hotel School with hotel ownership and investment firms through further engagement with various ownership associations. Specifically, he wants to increase representation of the Hotel School at these associations’ conferences and promote possible scholarships funded by these associations and firms.
Emeritus SAB Members
Class of 2018
Soh-Hyun (Lotte) Ahn '18
Bachelor of Science: May 2018
Minor/concentration: Art history
Appointed to the SAB: December 2014
Aetheline Chua '18
Bachelor of Science: May 2018
Minor/concentration: Marketing concentration, computer science minor
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2015
Matthew Guarini '18
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: December 2017
Minor/Concentration: Corporate food and beverage
Transfer from: The Culinary Institute of America
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2015
Kayti Stanley '18
Bachelor of Science: May 2018
Minor/Concentration: Information science minor/real estate concentration
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2014
Class of 2017
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Alyannah Kassam '17
Bachelor of Science: May 2017
Minor/concentration: Entrepreneurship Real estate minor
Transfer from: College of Arts and Sciences (Fall 2014)
Appointed to the Student Advisory Board: Fall 2014
Armaan Singh Nirh '17
Bachelor of Science: May 2017
Minor/concentration: Real estate minor/finance, accounting and real estate concentration
Transfer from: Les Roches International School of Hotel Management in Switzerland (fall 2014)
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2014
Sebastian Ogando '17
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2017
Minor/Concentration: Finance, accounting, and real estate
Transfer from: Barry University - fall 2014
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2014
Kristina Tagliente '17
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2017
Minor/Concentration: Entrepreneurship
Transfer from: College of Arts and Sciences (Fall 2014)
Appointed to the SAB: November 2013
Venus Tse, '17
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2017
Minor/Concentration: Hotel administration
Appointed to the SAB: November 2013
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Shilu (Jess) Wu, '17
Candidate for Bachelor of Science: May 2017
Minor/Concentration: Entrepreneurship
Appointed to the SAB: December 2013
Class of 2016
Sarah Murdoch '16
Bachelor of Science: May 2016
Minor/Concentration: Real estate minor
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2012
Andreas Valhouli-Farb '16
Bachelor of Science: May 2016
Minor/Concentration: Marketing
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2013
Class of 2015
Alec Budow '15
Bachelor of Science: May 2016
Minor/Concentration: Real estate minor
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2012
Lucas Busch '15
Bachelor of Science: January 2015
Minor: Real estate
Concentration: corporate finance, financial consulting, investment banking
Transferred from: Les Roches-Gruyère University of Applied Sciences in Switzerland (fall 2012)
Appointed to the SAB: August 2013
Quinn Cox '15
Bachelor of Science: May 2015
Transferred from: Bucks County Community College (August 2012)
Appointed to the Student Advisory Board: October 2012
Francesca Filippini '15
Bachelor of Science: May 2015
Minor: Italian
Transferred from: Boston University (fall 2012)
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2012
Isabella Mongalo '15
Bachelor of Science: May 2015
Concentration: Services Marketing and Operations Management
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2011
Class of 2014
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Stephen Breedon '14
Bachelor of Science: May 2014
Minor/Concentration: Minor in real estate
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2011
Ashley Dimond '14
Bachelor of Science: May 2015
Concentration: Services Marketing and Operations Management
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2011
Kealy Hartman '14
Bachelor of Science: May 2014
Minor/Concentration: N/A
Appointed to the SAB: Fall 2011