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Student spotlight
From front desk to data-driven strategist
Jordan Lee came to Virginia Tech’s MSBA–HTM program to turn a passion for hospitality into analytic, strategic leadership in the global service economy.
“I’ve always been a ‘people person.’ This program helped me become a people leader and systems thinker. Now I can take the stories I hear from guests and turn them into data-driven decisions that move the business.”
Why MSBA–HTM at Virginia Tech?
Jordan started in hospitality at a boutique hotel front desk, eventually supervising a small team. “I knew how to deliver great experiences,” they recall, “but I wanted to understand the numbers behind our decisions—pricing, staffing, forecasting demand.”
The MSBA–HTM program offered the mix they were looking for: business-school fundamentals plus hospitality-specific analytics, revenue management, and service design.
- MBA-level courses in finance, marketing, and strategy
- Hospitality analytics and revenue management focused on real industry data
- Evening and hybrid classes at the Alexandria campus that fit a full-time work schedule
Learning to “speak data” and lead teams
In courses like HTM 5564: Revenue Management and Analytics and HTM 5534: Service Experience Design, Jordan learned how to turn guest behavior into actionable insights.
“We weren’t just building dashboards for the sake of it,” they say. “We were learning how to ask the right questions, analyze the data, and then explain the ‘so what’ to owners, GMs, and front-line teams in a way that actually changes operations.”
Balancing work, classes, and life
Like many MSBA–HTM students, Jordan works full-time in the D.C. area. Most classes meet one evening per week, which allows them to take two courses each semester and stay on track to finish in under two years.
“Our professors understand that we’re working professionals,” they add. “Assignments are rigorous but designed to plug into projects at work—so I’m delivering value to my employer while earning the degree.”
What’s next?
After graduation, Jordan plans to move into a corporate revenue-strategy role for a multi-property hotel group or a data-driven position with an experience-focused brand.
“The MSBA–HTM degree gave me the confidence to talk with owners, asset managers, and tech partners as an equal,” they say. “I can connect guest experience, analytics, and financial outcomes—and that opens doors.”