Research & Students Connected

Hospitality Students Learn By Doing

Learning is irresistible and life-changing when it involves experiences outside the four walls of a classroom.  Students Connected is a university-wide program that inspires USCB students to contribute to the needs of the South Carolina Lowcountry through experiential research and service-learning opportunities. 

Hospitality Wexford group photoUSCB Hospitality students toured Wexford on Hilton Head Island, where they sampled lunch and enjoyed learning about the private club’s many services and amenities.

Spring Island group photoThe Lowcountry is home to many award-winning private communities, including Spring Island — where Dr. Sean Barth took his Club Management class for a behind-the-scenes look at the club’s operations.

USCB's hospitality program collaborates with local organizations to engage students in research that benefits the community and gives them opportunities to collaborate with their peers, faculty and community leaders to comprehend, assess or address regional issues. 

In the Hospitality Department's "Secret Shopper" course, students collect data as undercover customers sent in to observe, interact and report on sales and marketing sucesses and challenges at local stores, restaurants, spas, adventure tour outfitters and other businesses.

Students Connected in Hospitality

Students experience, conduct research and support Hilton Head Island and Bluffton's signature annual events including the RBC Heritage Golf Tournament and unique tourism facilities.