About the J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute
The J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute at the University of Utah is a hospitality leadership education initiative rooted in the belief that hospitality is both a mindset and a skillset—one that benefits professionals in any industry or discipline. At its core, hospitality is grounded in genuine care for the well-being of others, a passion often shaped through real-world experience and industry exposure. By approaching everyday work through the lens of hospitality, individuals can transform routine interactions into meaningful connections that strengthen relationships with clients, guests, and colleagues.
A Legacy of Excellence
Our Vision
Repositioning hospitality, its leaders, and its workforce for a sustainable, connected, and inclusive world.
Our Mission
Cultivating the next generation of leaders by providing all students with a hospitality mindset and skillset to enhance their careers and host the world.
Our Institutional Approach
What is an Institute? How does it differ from traditional academic programs?
Institutes at the University of Utah are co-curricular learning organizations that present students with a new way to learn. Institutes offer experiential learning, meaning that students learn by doing and engaging in hands-on activities such as site visits, mentorship, or industry oriented training. Institutes don’t typically offer degrees, or for-credit courses, instead opting for organic soft-skill and technical development options that students participate in along side traditional academic learning.
Why the Institutional Approach?
We chose this route because many hospitality employers don’t require hospitality degrees, and we believe the institutional approach may impact a larger number of students at once by allowing them the flexibility to decide how they interact with us, and thus, take control over how they learn.
So the institute doesn’t offer classes?
Not yet! While for-credit courses and degrees aren’t in our immediate future, there is potential for some academic offerings in the future. For now, those interested in traditional academic offerings pertaining to hospitality and tourism should apply for the sustainable hospitality and tourism management program offered by the college of health.
Our Values
Hospitality is a mindset & skillset for all
The institute promotes hospitality as both a mindset, a sense of care and thoughtfulness for others, and a skillset, interpersonal skills that translate that mindset into action, providing a foundation for success across sectors and disciplines.
Student-driven,
industry-focused
The institute prioritizes student needs and works to align them with industry demands, ensuring integrated real-world learning experiences that cultivate career-readiness.
Explore, Grow, Lead
The institute fosters continuous exploration and growth, empowering students to lead through transformative, hands-on learning that drives industry innovation.
We learn by doing
The institute emphasizes applied, real-world learning as the cornerstone for skill development and professional preparedness.
Great service uplifts all
The institute champions the reciprocal, transformative power of excellent service, creating positive and lasting impact within communities.
Host the world
The institute prepares students to navigate and succeed in a globally connected world, fostering cultural competence and integrity.