Rachael Pisano never expected to find herself at the front of a large room, microphone in hand, addressing leaders from the hospitality industry — let alone serving them dinner. But that’s exactly what happened in 2023 and 2024 when Pisano became involved with HospitaBull, the elegant dining experience prepared and served by students in the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
“The event plays a crucial role in empowering students by providing financial resources and ensuring they are equipped with the tools needed to excel in their careers,” said Cihan Cobanoglu, McKibbon Endowed chair and dean of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.”
The annual event regularly raises over $100,000, which supports students, like Pisano, enrolled in the school.
“Being in a room with some of the top hospitality professionals was a little overwhelming for my first event as a new graduate student,” Pisano said. “But after interacting with them throughout the evening, I felt more inspired than ever.”
Pisano went to school to become a high school language arts teacher. As a young college student in Ohio, she took a job at a local restaurant to support herself. To Pisano’s surprise, she not only excelled in the industry, but she also loved the work. She found herself wondering how to combine her love of teaching with her newfound passion for hospitality.
“I ended up growing through multiple different positions into leadership roles over a five-year time period,” Pisano said. “I found myself filled with this new passion for hospitality, but still having this lingering desire to educate others — including myself.”
When a USF alumnus and family friend suggested Pisano look into the University of South Florida, Pisano decided to head south to earn a master of science in hospitality management from the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, where students learn to play a vital role in addressing the challenges faced by the dynamic hospitality industry through coursework and hands-on experience during annual hospitality events like Bulls Bistro, HospitaBull and Brunch on the Bay.
A call from Cobanoglu sealed the deal for Pisano, who felt as though she was being welcomed into a family.
“USF prepared me for success in more ways than I could have imagined,” said Pisano, who credits the university for expanding her industry knowledge and building her confidence. “USF supported and cared about me and my growth within the hospitality industry.”
It was at USF that Pisano connected with leadership from McKibbon Hospitality, who invited Pisano to join the team as an intern so that she could receive cross training and get a sense of the different career paths available to her.
Soon, Pisano was accepting an offer to join McKibbon’s learning and development team, where she still works as a learning and development manager. For Pisano, whose job it is to ensure associates receive training and educational opportunities to excel and grow in their roles, it’s the best of both worlds.
On stage during HospitaBull 2024, Pisano had the opportunity to express her thanks.
“I am full of gratitude,” Pisano told the crowd. “Gratitude for the opportunities I've been afforded, gratitude for the relationships I've forged, and gratitude for unwavering support of those who have walked alongside me every step of the way.”