An Educational Hub for Hospitality Entrepreneurship  

For 20 years, the Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship (PIHE) has provided students with the framework to pursue entrepreneurial ventures. 

“Leading industry experts and faculty help students explore every facet of hospitality entrepreneurship — from ideation to execution,” says Christina McDowell, faculty director of the Pillsbury Institute and teaching professor in the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business. “We offer the knowledge, tools and support needed to launch, lead and grow ventures.” 

“Pillsbury serves as a hub for all Cornell students interested in hospitality entrepreneurship,” she notes. “Our programming and events, which help students develop an entrepreneurial mindset, are open to the entire university community.” 

Additionally, the institute provides thought leadership for alumni and other professionals who operate or aspire to operate enterprises in the hospitality industry. “We connect faculty and industry through roundtables and webinars that advance the knowledge of hospitality entrepreneurship,” McDowell says. 

Education is one of the institute’s three pillars of success, along with engagement and experiential learning. 

Educating Students 

Through activities such as the Hospitality Hackathon and Hospitality Business Plan Competition, roundtables and workshops, and networking events with industry, PIHE helps students build on academics outside the classroom. 

PIHE also works with faculty from the Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration to secure guest lecturers for classes — particularly Conversations With Entrepreneurs and Communication for Entrepreneurs. In addition to lecturing, guest speakers often take part in luncheons, speaker chats and other programs, offering students multiple opportunities for engagement. 

To help students further build their network, the institute invites industry leaders to become Entrepreneurs in Residence and mentor students on business development and career planning. “We give a great deal of thought to the people we engage because we want supportive mentors at different points on their entrepreneurial journey — people of all breadths and depths of industry and experience,” McDowell says. 

Students also benefit from workshops in which industry professionals address various aspects of hospitality entrepreneurship. The first workshop of the fall semester, “From Shelf to Scale: Building Brands That Last,” takes place Sept. 17. 

New this semester is an Interactive Classroom Series that allows students to explore the mindset, skills and ideas behind entrepreneurship; in the works for 2027 is a student trek to give participants a firsthand look at hospitality industry practices related to entrepreneurship. 

Looking ahead, “We’re working with student clubs and other centers and institutes within the SC Johnson College of Business to find ways we can collaborate to advance entrepreneurship in general, and within hospitality specifically,” McDowell says. 

With entrepreneurship now a strategic priority for both the college and the university, participation in the institute’s programs is at an all-time high. “Over the past year, we had more than 1,000 touchpoints with students through 72 programs and events,” McDowell says. “We’ve seen increases in student engagement, alumni engagement and industry engagement. 

“Students are showing up like never before. You can see their passion, creativity and love for their ideas, and just the opportunity to learn. Pillsbury may be small, but we’re clearly making an impact.” 

Once students graduate, those who have been actively involved with the institute are encouraged to continue their involvement — either by becoming an Entrepreneur in Residence or by guest lecturing, participating in roundtables or judging competitions. 

“For recent graduates looking to start their business, we connect them with industry leaders and alumni,” McDowell says. “We constantly help students build relationships, and then encourage them to engage with us as alumni to pass that knowledge on to the next generation of hospitality entrepreneurs.” 

Educating Alumni and Industry 

One way the institute educates alumni is through roundtables in which some 20 industry professionals discuss what’s happening in a particular area within hospitality entrepreneurship. “We bring industry together to educate each other about best practices,” McDowell says. Topics have ranged from Restaurant Entrepreneurship and Development to Women and Hospitality Entrepreneurship to Hospitality and Family Businesses. 

Alumni also continue their education through virtual webinars and keynotes offered in partnership with eCornell. “We pick hot topics related to hospitality entrepreneurship so industry professionals can learn more about what others are doing,” she says. 

To disseminate its work, Pillsbury publishes an electronic newsletter and posts articles about major events, competitions, awards, start-ups and academic news. It has also reinstituted PIHE Perspective, a series of blog posts in which board members share insights and expertise on industry trends, leadership and innovation. 

“At the Pillsbury Institute, we’re committed to building relationships among students, faculty, alumni and industry so that we — and they — can create and innovate,” McDowell says. 

PIHE has curated a series of educational programs around its milestone anniversary, including an eCornell keynote on “Hospitality’s Next Wave,” held in March; a panel discussion on “AI and the Future of Hospitality and Travel Distribution,” held at the Celebration Ezra and Cornell Business Impact Symposium in April; and a 20th Anniversary Panel on “A Legacy of Innovation,” held during Hotel Ezra Cornell in April. A culminating event, in November, will celebrate the past 20 years and look ahead to the next 20.