The Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies recently appointed Starwood Hotels executive Gray Shealy to serve as executive director for the new master’s in hospitality management program.
“I envision Georgetown’s Hospitality Management program as a platform for innovation in the industry,” says Shealy. “Washington, D.C. is undoubtedly the epicenter of the global hospitality business. By partnering with executives from the world’s largest hotel chains as well as international hospitality trusts and associations, transportation and tourism leaders, and prominent consulting firms, we will give our students insider knowledge as well as mentors who are able to guide them on their path to leadership.”
Shealy most recently served as the global design director for W Hotels. Previously, he was director of design for Le Méridien, leading that brand’s worldwide relaunch in a role that prepared him for his international challenges at W Hotels.
The Georgetown SCS Hospitality Management program will discuss the intersection between global and local influences. “Graduates will not only be focused on U.S. hospitality standards; they will be well-versed in customer expectations in the emerging markets of the world,” explains Shealy. In fact, Georgetown students may opt to travel overseas as part of the applied curriculum.
A frequent speaker and published author, Shealy was named a “Wave of the Future” Honoree by Hospitality Design magazine in 2011. This award is given annually to eight design professionals “young enough to be considered visionary, but tested enough to be proven accomplished.”
A budding hotelier from the onset, he earned his master of architecture from Yale University, with a research concentration in tourism, urban transportation planning and hotel design. He also received a bachelor of arts in architecture from Clemson University, for which he submitted his thesis, “Cultural Sustainability in Caribbean Resort Architecture.” While at Clemson, he won numerous awards, studied in Italy, and was ultimately named valedictorian.
