Tristan Slates exemplifies how determination and a willingness to embrace change can create transformative opportunities.
A December 2024 graduate of the UNC School of Education’s Human and Organizational Leadership Development (HOLD) program, Slates has charted a unique path, leveraging his experiences in hospitality to build a career focused on organizational leadership.
Slates’ journey to Carolina began after years in the hospitality industry, where he recognized the potential for a career pivot. Reflecting on his past, he acknowledged that school had not always been a positive experience, which initially led him to pursue a career in the culinary field. However, after some time, he found that this path did not fully align with his aspirations — inspiring him to take a leap and return to school.
Before transferring to Carolina in 2022, Slates began his collegiate journey in 2020 at City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington College, where he earned an associate of arts degree and cultivated an interest in leadership. With the guidance and encouragement of his transfer advisors, he applied to Carolina and the HOLD program, seeking to further his education, expand his career opportunities, and help to advance the field he had been part of before returning to 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, this combination was exactly what he needed.
“The HOLD program is phenomenal,” he said. “The best part is the sense of community—you walk in, and it’s like you already have a group of friends. It’s such a supportive and welcoming environment.”
Slates highlighted the program’s focus on leadership and diversity as transformative, noting how it provided him with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to navigate complex organizational dynamics. 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 also highlighted the course EDUC 508: “Equity, Leadership & You” taught by Candice Powell (’21 Ph.D.), 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 a referral program to incentivize 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 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’ experience in the HOLD program and his capstone project inspired him to pursue a new dream: law school with a focus on labor law.
For non-traditional students considering a return to school, Slates highlights that it is never too late to pursue education and personal growth — emphasizing that the diverse life experiences non-traditional students bring 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.”