Amber Wilhelm
Amber Wilhelm is a 2018 December graduate of the K-State Hospitality Management program. Amber came to K-State as a transfer student, from her home in Horton, KS, and has worked in hospitality roles all of her college career. She is proud to say she worked hospitality jobs to put herself through college. Why Hospitality? Because Amber learned early that she wanted to be around people, not just behind a computer screen. Why K-State? Because she liked that Manhattan was close to home and she loved the family atmosphere! One of her first work experiences was at The Country Cabin restaurant, located just north of Hiawatha, KS. She actually goes back and works weekends at the “Cabin” when she can. Amber completed her HM 375 work experiences at Highland Community College, where she assisted the Student Life Director with events.
That cemented her feeling that the Meeting & Event Track would be her area of focus. After acquiring a position with The Country Stampede in the summer of 2018 for her HM 475 internship, her career seemed to be falling into place. Upon graduation in December, she has been hired full time by The Country Stampede, as the project manager for summer 2019. She looks forward to this new position. Amber’s highlights during her time at K-State were the capstone class’s trip to St. Louis, where they attended a St. Louis Blues game and toured the Enterprise Center, and the Travel & Dining Auction in spring 2018, which was a great hands-on learning experience! While at K-State, Amber was awarded the Extraordinary Student Award, for her perseverance to get back to K-State after a severe accident that pulled her away from her college studies for a semester.
The department looks forward to working with Amber in the years ahead as she moves into an alumni HM role.
Cody Filbert
Over the last three years, attending Kansas State and pursuing a hospitality management degree I have been able to participate in numerous educational experiences such as club meetings, traveling to Dallas, TX for a weekend educational trip, New York City for a Hotel Lodging Show, and countless presentations by guest speakers brought into lectures. Each of these experiences have provided me a chance to network with professionals within the hospitality industry. The support that the hospitality management faculty provide is amazing. The faculty takes time to meet with students regularly and discuss their academics or even their post-graduation plans. They encourage students to follow their dreams. With the help and support provided by faculty and staff of the department, I am extremely excited to be moving to Nashville, TN to take part in the Marriott Internationals Voyager Program. 
The hospitality department has encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone in so many ways. I’m beyond thankful for the numerous of connections I have gained through the Hospitality Summit and many other networking opportunities. Through this degree, I have been able to make some lifelong friends.