2025 Honorees
Emilie Leyva
Marketing
Emilie Leyva's parents left Cuba months before completing their undergraduate degrees.
They sacrificed their education for a chance at freedom. Because of them, education
is a top priority for Leyva.
Her time at USF is defined by academic rigor, leadership, and a commitment to professional
and community development.
Leyva graduates in May with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Marketing. Future plans include
getting a graduate degree to solidify a career in sustainable hospitality management.
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Leyva discovered her love for hospitality management as a student in the Judy Genshaft
Honors College. Her capstone project was a 40-page thesis on leadership ethics in
the hospitality industry.鈥��&苍产蝉辫;
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Beyond academics, she was co-president of the American Marketing Association at USF.
One of her proudest projects was serving as director of the 20th Annual ScramBULL
Golf Tournament. That event raised over $26,000 in sponsorships and donations.
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She also works as the assistant social media and brands coordinator for Hi Hospitality
Group where she manages the social media accounts for five restaurants.
鈥淭hese hands-on experiences have prepared me to take on leadership roles in hospitality.
They have solidified my desire to pursue a career in sustainable hotel management,鈥�
she said.
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Her future goal is to combine sustainability with employee-centered management practices
in hospitality. She wants to ensure businesses are not only profitable, but also ethical
and socially responsible.