Planning for Success: Meet Fall 2024 PNW graduate Kosta Nicolaou
A family vacation to Walt Disney World inspired Kosta Nicolaou, ’24, to take a closer look at a career in the hospitality and tourism management (HTM) field. That trip led him to earn a bachelor of science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from the White Lodging School of Hospitality and Tourism Management in the College of Business at Purdue University Northwest (PNW).
Initially wanting to focus on the hotel industry, the Schererville native found his passion in event coordination. “I couldn’t be as creative as I wanted to be in the hotel industry,” says Nicolaou. “Event coordination gave me that creative outlet and so I changed my path.”
While at PNW, Nicolaou was a campus ambassador, a member of the HTM Club and served on the College of Business Advisory Board. A self-described people person, he enjoyed participating in many Intramural events on campus as a way to meet new people, have a bit of fun and take a break from studying. He also helped organize and decorate for events like the HTM Food Festival and the annual chili cook-off, where his team’s chili took first place.
Nicolaou was able to return to Walt Disney World as an intern – twice. In 2022, he participated in his first internship where he worked in a back-of-house role at Restaurantosaurus in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. During the semester-long experience, he not only gained industry experience, he met new people, had new experiences, and lived on his own in a new area with the opportunity to be independent, all of which reignited his passion for the hospitality industry. In 2023, he participated in Disney’s alumni internship program, working in parking operations in the Magic Kingdom – the fourth largest parking lot in the world.
After graduation, Nicolaou plans to pursue a career in event coordination. Looking ahead, he hopes to one day establish his own event coordination company and become a successful business owner.
College is more interesting when you get involved around campus and it provides networking opportunities.
Why did you choose to major in Hospitality and Tourism Management?
“It wasn’t until the summer before my senior year in high school that I knew what I wanted to study. That summer we took a family vacation to Walt Disney World. I really enjoyed seeing how the hospitality professionals did their jobs and created all these different experiences for their guests.
I remember having a conversation with my older brother about whether this was something I could study in college. He told me the perfect place was at PNW because it has its own HTM program.”
Why did you choose to attend PNW?
“When I was looking into schools that would best suit my goals, I was hearing from so many people, including alumni, that PNW would be the perfect fit for me. The fact they have the White Lodging School of Hospitality and Tourism Management made it a no-brainer. After tours and orientation, I thought this is going to be perfect for me.”
How do you think your involvement in campus organizations and activities helped define your success at PNW?
“Each of those experiences gave me a little piece of myself. Being able to get myself out there, I was able to meet some amazing people and that gave me the confidence to move forward and be successful in the future.”
Did you have a pivotal experience while attending PNW?
“During the pandemic, I was feeling very uninspired in my program. The courses I was taking online were supposed to be hands-on and I felt I was missing out on that experience. I was thinking about changing my major when Disney called and offered me an internship.
I went on that internship and fell back in love with the hospitality field. I came back to PNW, the campus opened back up, and it just relit that spark and reinspired me to keep on the HTM path.”
What words of advice would you share with prospective students looking to attend PNW?
“College is definitely a time to grow up and take responsibility for yourself. Get involved while you’re here. College is more interesting when you get involved around campus and it provides networking opportunities.”
Was there anyone at PNW who inspired or encouraged you along the way?
Pitparnee Stompor
Clinical Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management
Matthew Bauman
Assistant Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management
“Dr. Bauman and Chef Pit both helped me through my college career in many ways, including helping me come out of my shell and providing additional help when I needed it. They’re the two professors I feel most comfortable going to if I need something. There were also many others who also helped me while I was here.”
Meet the Fall 2024 Graduates
Discover what inspires our remarkable Fall 2024 graduates—and how they are Powering Onward to their futures.