Nontraditional education student learns leadership skills
The Human and Organizational Leadership Development program gave Tristan Slates the tools to drive change.
After years in the hospitality industry, Tristan Slates returned to college to build a career focused on organizational leadership.
A December 2024 graduate of the UNC School of Education’s Human and Organizational Leadership Development program, Slates worked with a hospitality company on a capstone project that now has him thinking about law school.
“I joined the HOLD program because I wanted to make a real difference in the hospitality industry,” Slates said. “The field has its challenges, and I see so much room for improvement. This program gave me the tools to start driving that change.”
The HOLD program prepares students to lead and collaborate effectively within diverse organizations. Through a curriculum rooted in leadership theory, organizational development and data-informed decision-making, students gain the skills to drive meaningful change in schools, businesses, nonprofits and government agencies.
For Slates, the curriculum’s emphasis on various leadership styles helped him grow as a future leader.
“We learned so many different styles and approaches, and it’s fascinating to see those differences in action,” Slates said. “It makes you think about how to implement effective strategies.”
He highlighted the course EDUC 508: Equity, Leadership and You, taught by Candice Powell ’06, ’21 (PhD), director of the Carolina Covenant, for its deep exploration of equity and inclusion and its impact on effective leadership.
“It’s always valuable to dig deep into the root of the challenges we face as a society and think about how we can address them,” he said.
Advancing industry through academic insights
For his capstone project, Slates partnered with Giorgios Hospitality Group in Durham, focusing on employee recruitment and retention strategies as the company expanded. Slates’ capstone aimed to increase the number of qualified candidates by 15% per job posting, implement targeted marketing campaigns on job boards and social media platforms, and expand the geographic reach of recruitment efforts. Additionally, he developed an incentives program to encourage current employees to bring in new hires.
“Looking back, it’s amazing to realize the scope of the project and think, ‘Wow, I actually did that,’” Slates said. “You start off nervous, but (program director) Dr. Jemilia Davis does an incredible job breaking everything down into manageable pieces. By the end, you’re just putting it all together. It’s inspiring to see what you can accomplish. It shows that you really can take on big projects and create meaningful change.”
Slates advises those considering a return to school that it’s never too late to pursue education and personal growth. Nontraditional students often have diverse life experiences that can enrich both their own learning and that of their peers.
“My advice to anyone considering going back to school is to not be afraid,” Slates said. “If you’re passionate about learning and personal growth, you’ll succeed.”
