To inspire and expand talent in the hospitality industry, Hilton launched Hilton Cares during its #1 World’s Best Workplace celebration in 2023. Hilton Cares is a scholarship program designed to create opportunities for growth and advancement for current and aspiring students. Through this program, Hilton and the Hilton Global Foundation have awarded 27 Hilton Team Members with scholarships. See how some of our Team Members plan to use their scholarship!
Shanice Atkins, Commis Chef, Barbados Hilton Resort
What inspired you to apply for the Hilton Cares Scholarship?
"I was inspired to apply because Hilton truly commits to investing in its people, not just in the roles we hold today but in our future potential. The scholarship felt like a meaningful way to keep growing my education while staying connected to a company that values lifelong learning and personal growth."
How has your personal background or professional journey shaped your educational goals?
"I’ve learned from an early age, being from the Caribbean from the island of Barbados which has limited resources, that opportunities come from hard work and perseverance. Education has always been a way for me to create change, and my time at Hilton has reinforced the importance of service, leadership, and teamwork. These are necessary qualities I want to further develop through my studies and carry with me throughout my life."
Mertcan Mert, GM&E Sales Representative, Hilton Istanbul Bomonti Hotel & Conference Center
How will the Hilton Cares Scholarship directly impact your academic or career aspirations?
"This scholarship fuels my ambition to become a hybrid thinker—someone who can stand at the intersection of global museum innovation, tourism dynamics, experiential design, and AI ethics. It supports my vision of transforming traditional events into immersive psychological journeys, where software solutions and automation optimize operations, allowing teams to focus more on human experience and less on process fatigue."
How has Hilton supported you on your learning journey?
"Hilton has been more than an employer, it’s been a platform where I could experiment, lead, and grow. From organizing large-scale events to building operational models, Hilton gave me the playground to test ideas with real impact. The culture of excellence, empowerment, and forward-thinking gave me the courage to aim higher. With this scholarship, Hilton once again proves that it doesn’t just hire talent, it invests in the minds that shape the future."
Haodan Zheng, Executive Floor Manager, Hilton Suzhou
What inspired you to apply for the Hilton Cares Scholarship?
"I’ve always resonated deeply with Hilton’s “Thrive” ethos, pursuing holistic growth in body, mind, and spirit. Over the past two years, I’ve wholeheartedly embraced this philosophy, dedicating myself to both personal and professional development. That journey led to my successful admission to the MBA program at Fudan University School of Management.
When I learned about the Hilton Cares Scholarship, I was genuinely moved by Hilton’s commitment to empowering Team Members through lifelong learning. This initiative represents more than financial support. It is also a meaningful recognition of our efforts to grow and thrive, and I’m honored to be part of it."
How do you plan to use the Scholarship?
"My MBA studies have entered the thesis phase, and I plan to focus my research on the strategic management behind Hilton’s sub-brand market positioning. By conducting in-depth market analysis, surveys, and interviews, I aim to generate actionable insights that can support Hilton’s brand growth. The Hilton Cares Scholarship will provide essential support for these research activities, enabling me to conduct a more rigorous and data-driven study."
Ashley Pan, Sales Coordinator, Homewood Suites by Hilton Oakland-Waterfront
How has Hilton supported you on your learning journey?
"I am very proud to be both a UC Berkeley graduate and a Hilton Team Member, and I have everyone at my hotel to thank for that. From day one, my boss Danielle and General Manager, Dennis, have been attentive to my school-work-life balance goal. Whether it be coordinating my work schedule around my classes and midterms or making me leis and cheering me on at graduation, they are shining representations of why Hilton is the No. 1 Best Company to Work For in the U.S. My boss was the one to send the Hilton Cares application to me–she knew I would especially benefit from the scholarship as an out of state student.
Another reason why Hilton has been a blessing to work at is the Go Hilton Team Member Travel Program which has allowed me to relax, unwind, and take my mind off my homework assignments and quizzes. So far, I’ve traveled to Napa, Las Vegas, Paris, and Milan. Throughout the past two years, other managers, Team Members, and guests would ask me how school was going, what my future plans were, and how they could best help me. Not only is Hilton supporting me financially, Hilton has given me a home away from home through hospitality."
