Aramark welcomed ten students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to its Philadelphia headquarters for the company’s HBCU Emerging Leaders Program, a transformative initiative designed to cultivate future leaders in hospitality and business.
“Providing students with meaningful opportunities to grow, connect, and receive professional coaching is essential as they prepare for life after college,” said Jack Donovan, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality President and CEO. “At Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, we’re committed to expanding access to these kinds of experiences: ones that connect students with mentors, industry insights, and real-world learning that can shape their careers.”
Now in its third year, the program is a multi-day experience designed to help students explore career paths, build professional networks, and gain firsthand insight into life after college. Launched in partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the program also provides Aramark an opportunity to enhance the company’s business and culture by engaging directly with students—securing their views as to what is important on their campuses, enhancing Aramark’s early-talent pipeline, and exposing students to more than 100 leaders at one of the world’s leading hospitality companies.
The 2025 Emerging Leaders are:
- Sydnie Collins, Howard University
- Emanuel Craig, North Carolina Central University
- Dhindsa Davis, Morris Brown College
- Eseosa Eregie, Howard University
- Kamrin Felton, Bowie State University
- Imani McCune, Florida A&M University
- Christopher Thorns, North Carolina Central University
- Limyra Tucker, Alabama A&M University
- Elise Tyson, Morgan State University
- Quentavious Wimberly, Howard University
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“This experience gave me—and our entire cohort—the confidence to grow, along with new skills and tools to help us succeed. As a first-generation college student, the Emerging Leaders Program showed me that I am enough, regardless of my background. I would absolutely recommend this opportunity to my peers at NCCU and encourage HBCU students across the country to take advantage of it—no matter your major or classification. You’ll leave with more insight and knowledge than you came with.” - Christopher Thorns, an Emerging Leader at North Carolina Central University
Over the course of three days, students participated in leadership panels, mentorship roundtables, and immersive learning sessions that connected academic training with real-world applications including:
- A career development panel that featured Aramark executives and HBCU alumni who shared their professional journeys and advice on navigating the transition from college to career.
- A graduate education session focused on the value of continuing education.
- Sessions at Aramark’s annual Employee Resource Group (ERG) Leaders & Employees of African Descent (LEAD) Summit, where students engaged with Aramark leaders and employees in discussions on leadership, identity, and professional growth.
- An interactive culinary experience led by famed New Orleans Chef Edgar “Dook” Chase IV, known for blending Creole culinary tradition inspired by his grandmother, this experience showcased the relationship between hospitality management and culinary leadership.
- A site visit to Adventure Aquarium, which offered a behind-the-scenes look at Aramark’s hospitality operations in a dynamic guest environment.
“At Aramark, we believe in enabling student success holistically,” said Marques Williams, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality Senior Director of HBCU Engagement. “This program is about more than professional development—it’s about equipping students with the tools, experiences, and connections they need to thrive in their careers and become future leaders.”
The Emerging Leaders Program is part of Aramark’s broader early career strategy, which also includes the Aramark Student Internship Program and the Manager Accelerator Program (MAP). These initiatives offer structured, hands-on experiences that help students and early career professionals build critical skills, accelerate their development, and transition into impactful roles across the company. By investing in emerging talent, Aramark is strengthening its leadership pipeline and reinforcing a commitment to its people-first culture.
