By Elisabeth Costanzo Stewart

What do the Kentucky Derby, New York Fashion Week, and the PHS Philadelphia Flower Show have in common? SUNY Broome! More specifically, Kira Sloan of SUNY Broome’s Event and Sports Entertainment Management: A.O.S. program. While lectures and labs are a critical part of the academic experience, students agree that the most rewarding learning in college is hands-on and experiential. Chairperson of the Hospitality Programs Department, Maria Montemagno, is a firm believer in the power of a work-based curriculum. As a result, she sends dozens of students, like Sloan, to the nation’s most prestigious social events to put their hospitality training into action. 

Kira Sloan has been immersed in the world of hospitality for the past decade. The Auburn, NY native began earning her service industry credits as a teenager, scooping and serving ice cream at a local shop along Owasco Lake. After graduating from Auburn High School, Kira took a gap year. Her sister had relocated to the Southern Tier, so Sloan opted to join her, spending the next few years working at some of the region’s finest restaurants as both a server and in managerial roles.

Sloan always wanted to go college, but was unsure about what to study. Then SUNY Broome opened the Culinary & Event Center (CEC) to house the College’s culinary and hospitality programs. The state-of-the-art space, its location in the heart of downtown Binghamton, and academic schedules designed to accommodate a working student’s restaurant hours, made the decision to enroll a no-brainer. 

“At that point in my life, I had spent years developing my skills and learning about kitchen culture in restaurants all over the area,” Sloan explained. “I saw studying at SUNY Broome as an opportunity to evaluate what I already knew and build from there.” 

Kira spent her days studying the elements of floral design, earning ServSafe ® food sanitation and safety certifications, and calculating event budgets for profits, losses, and break-evens. When she wasn’t at the CEC, she worked as a server and hostess. 

“Serving is the perfect job when you are in college. Restaurants are always looking for hard workers, and you can pick up shifts as your schedule allows,” Sloan said. “I was so thankful that our classes were intentionally structured to encourage us to work professionally in the industry during peak hours in the evenings and on weekends.” 

There comes a point in every student’s academic journey when learning must expand beyond the classroom. For Sloan and her fellow hospitality students, this hands-on learning first came  through a series of annual on-campus events at the CEC including the College’s School Counselor Brunch and Breakfast with Santa. Looking to provide more diverse and high-profile event experiences, the Hospitality Programs Department’s faculty called upon their connections to broaden their students’ scope of expertise, starting with New York Fashion Week (NYFW). 

Interested in floral design? Consider talking EVE 220 – Principles of Floral Design for Event and Sports Entertainment!
Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers

Sloan, Montemagno, and a handful of hospitality students headed for Manhattan to support Arts Hearts Fashion, a top fashion production team specializing in the curation and execution of events for up-and-coming designers. Kira and her classmates served as extra hands in all facets of the shows and supported set up, tear down, prepping the clothes, and dressing the models. 

“I’m not super into fashion, but I loved the fast-paced energy of the shows,” Sloan shared. “Live events come with lots of unexpected hiccups, so it was a great opportunity to put our problem-solving skills into action.” 

After overwhelming success at NYFW, Sloan and her classmates set off to their next and most esteemed event – the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Bound for Louisville, Kira and her classmates traveled 12 hours by bus to assume a variety of roles throughout the days leading up to the official “Derby Day.” Given her extensive industry experience and academic background, Sloan was named a Floor Supervisor. In this position, she was responsible for serving as a liaison between Churchill Downs’ managerial staff and the kitchen team, the service team, and volunteers. 

“Working at the Kentucky Derby made me realize that I love the intense environment of large-scale events,” Sloan reflected. “The days were so long, and I was exhausted each night, but I loved the challenge of responding to different needs and situations moment to moment. I supervised a balcony with 60 tables, an outdoor bar, a kitchen, and viewing stands. Many members of my team did not speak English, so I was using Google Translate to communicate with them. As a result, I’m learning Spanish!”

While Sloan was technically working during the iconic “Run for the Roses,” she was still fully immersed in the celebration. 

“Derby Day was crazy, in the best sense of the word,” Sloan explained. The clientele that we served was very respectful and just thrilled to be witnessing such a once-in-a-lifetime event. I did not stop running for 12 hours! I lost my voice! But it was still the highlight of my professional career.”

As Kira prepares for the upcoming academic year, she is focused on what will come after SUNY Broome. While she loves her current role as the Event Coordinator for the Kilmer Mansion, her experiences at NYFW and the Kentucky Derby have ignited a desire to travel and to facilitate human connection through hospitality on a larger and more global scale. 

“I’ve spent my life in New York. Though it’s been a wonderful place to grow up, SUNY Broome  has opened the doors for me to branch out and grow professionally and personally. I’m ready to venture out of my comfort zone and embrace new cultures.

Has Kira’s story inspired you to enter the fast-paced world of hospitality? Learn more about SUNY Broome’s Event and Sports Entertainment Management: A.O.S. program!

 

Sloan’s classes are held in the CEC in the heart of downtown Binghamton. Photo Credit: Matt Ebbers

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