Brad Cooper is originally from Utila, a Bay Island off the coast of Honduras with a robust tourism industry centered around scuba diving. Growing up, he also lived in countries including Angola, Australia, Brazil, France, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Living abroad helped Cooper understand how different cultures view hospitality. His global perspective has given him a leg up as a student in Robinson’s Master of Global Hospitality Management (MGHM) program.
“Everyone should travel to develop intelligence of how other cultures operate,” Cooper said.
Cooper earned his B.B.A. from Robinson in May 2022. Through Soon-Ho Kim’s Perspectives in the Hospitality Industry course, he presented an in-depth analysis of the international growth of McDonald’s as well as its expansion into India and Europe. Impressed, Kim encouraged Cooper to apply to the MGHM program.
Cooper has enjoyed the program’s immersive nature so far. He recently partnered with a team of five students in the STR Student Market Study Competition, and represented Georgia State at the 28th annual Graduate Education & Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality & Tourism in Anaheim, California. The STR event required rigorous research skills, which he developed in Survey in Hospitality and Tourism with Soon-Ho Kim. On a weekly basis, Cooper presented summaries on trends in the hotel, tourism, and events management sectors.
In addition to building a toolbox of impressive skills, Cooper has expanded his professional network, thanks to Robinson’s well-connected faculty.
“My instructors know every hospitality leader in Atlanta,” he said. I’ve met Regynald G. Washington, the program’s namesake and CEO of Hojeij Branded Foods; general managers of Atlanta’s best hotels, and other hospitality executives. That’s a huge benefit for my career growth.”