UW Student Team Wins $15,000 in Pulte Gateway to Hospitality Innovation Challenge

A team of University of Wyoming students won first place and a $15,000 prize in the Pulte Gateway to Hospitality Innovation Challenge, a competition designed to give students real-world experience developing and presenting creative hospitality concepts for the upcoming renovation of the Hilton Garden Inn Laramie into Graduate by Hilton Laramie.

The competition was made possible through the support of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.

The winning team impressed judges with its thoughtful approach to the Humanitarian Hotel Model, its connection to the Graduate by Hilton brand and its emphasis on place-based storytelling. Team members say the experience strengthened their teamwork, presentation and professional problem-solving skills while challenging them to develop a concept with real implementation potential.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity to have taken this course for a second time,” says Savannah Avey, of Gail, Texas, who is majoring in outdoor recreation and tourism management with a minor in hospitality business management. “I am so proud of my team and how hard we all worked to take first place in the competition. It was amazing to gain real-world experience while building my teamwork and presentation skills.”

Kara Waskowiak, of Gothenburg, Neb., who is majoring in outdoor recreation and tourism management and environment and natural resources with a minor in hospitality business, says the project helped her team connect hospitality design with brand identity and community storytelling.

“Throughout the semester, I had the pleasure of working with a dedicated, competitive and passionate group of people,” Waskowiak says. “Together, we walked away with an appreciation of the Humanitarian Hotel Model, a love for the Graduate Hotels brand and a newfound passion for place-based storytelling. I couldn’t be prouder of the concepts we pitched, and I can’t wait to see them implemented in spring 2027.”

Cori Holland, of Hermann, Mo., who is majoring in outdoor recreation and tourism management with minors in hospitality business management and agricultural business, says the challenge gave her a deeper understanding of how hospitality can connect brand identity, community impact and guest experience.

“This project showed me how hospitality can be more than a place to stay; it can tell a story, support a community and create a meaningful experience for guests,” Holland says.

Team member Finn McCoul, a sophomore from Casper studying accounting and finance with minors in honors, hospitality business management and real estate finance, describes the course and competition as one of the most meaningful academic experiences of his college career.

“This was one of the best classes I have ever taken,” McCoul says. “It has challenged me in so many different ways, and winning this challenge is such an awesome feeling.”

Kellen McCoul, another team member from Casper studying accounting and finance, adds that the class gave students the opportunity to collaborate in a professional, real-world setting.

“This class has been an amazing experience and has allowed me to learn, firsthand, how to collaborate with others and put together a project that stands out in professional settings,” he says.

Judges for the competition included Morgan Holland of UW’s Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute; Parker Henderson, brand leader for Graduate by Hilton; Kit Glendinning, director of global brand standards at Hilton; Colton Irene, director of sales at Hilton Garden Inn Laramie; Marty Schaefer, general manager of Hilton Garden Inn Laramie; Amy Hampton, senior vice president of operations at Schulte Hospitality Group; and Chris Green, president of Humanitarian Hotels for the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation.

The students credit their success to their teamwork, preparation and the support of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation, the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute and Assistant Professor of Practice Sara Ghezzi. Together, that support helped students develop innovative hospitality concepts connected to the Graduate by Hilton brand, the Humanitarian Hotel Model and the sense of place surrounding UW, Laramie and the state of Wyoming.