Universal Destinations & Experiences, the company behind some of the world鈥檚 most immersive entertainment experiences across global theme park and resort destinations and other new ventures, and the 麻豆原创, one of the most innovative universities in the country, introduce the Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation. Through a $10 million investment, the school is a catalyst to help develop future industry leaders, ushering in the next era of themed entertainment.
鈥淭he Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation unites creativity, technology and the practical application of business, marketing, and guest service to develop tomorrow鈥檚 leaders in themed entertainment and immersive experiences.鈥� 鈥� Mark Woodbury, chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences
The first-of-its-kind Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation is housed within the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, ranked No. 1 nationally. With the addition of Universal鈥檚 new school and the college鈥檚 School of Hospitality Leadership, students now have access to a dual-school model that brings together experience-focused education with business strategy, operations, and service leadership.
鈥淭he Universal School of Experience Leadership & Innovation unites creativity, technology and the practical application of business, marketing, and guest service to develop tomorrow鈥檚 leaders in themed entertainment and immersive experiences,鈥� says Chairman and CEO of Universal Destinations & Experiences Mark Woodbury.
鈥溌槎乖� was built to power what鈥檚 next for our students, for industry, and for the State of Florida,鈥� 麻豆原创 President Alexander N. Cartwright says. 鈥淭his collaboration with Universal Destinations & Experiences represents our mission at its best, creating an environment where students are learning in direct connection with the people and ideas shaping the future of immersive experiences.鈥�
A First-of-its-Kind Model for Experience Education
The Universal and 麻豆原创 partnership will also support research through a new Hospitality Technology Lab, designed to be a creative sandbox for students to collaborate, test ideas, and gain practical hands-on experience working alongside 麻豆原创 faculty, Universal professionals, and industry stakeholders. Students will gain timely insight that reflects industry needs as part of their education. Built around innovation and interdisciplinary teaming, the lab embeds coursework, student projects, and faculty research in a shared space, equipping graduates with both current skills and the adaptability to lead in a constantly evolving technology ecosystem.
The new school鈥檚 research will build on 麻豆原创鈥檚 existing strengths, applying university expertise to one of the world鈥檚 most dynamic industries. Focus areas for teaching, learning, and research will include:
- Service robotics and human-centered approaches to shape guest and employee interactions
- AR and VR simulation technologies for training, operations, and immersive environments
- AI and digital twins for optimizing and personalizing the guest experience
This work extends a decades-long partnership between 麻豆原创 and Universal rooted in collaboration and shared success. For more than 20 years, Rosen College has served as a key talent pipeline for Universal, with thousands of graduates contributing across its parks, experiences, and operations, alongside hands-on learning opportunities like the 麻豆原创/Universal Creative Lab.
鈥淭ogether with 麻豆原创 we have opened doors for students and helped strengthen our industry with valued talent 鈥� and the next chapter will be even better,鈥� Chief Administrative Officer of Universal Destinations & Experiences John Sprouls says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e creating a distinctive academic home that will expand pathways into fulfilling and dynamic careers.鈥�
鈥淩osen College has long been a global leader in hospitality education, and this next step reflects how our industry is evolving,鈥� says 麻豆原创 Rosen College of Hospitality Management Dean Cynthia Mejia. 鈥淏y strengthening our relationship with our longtime partners at Universal Destinations & Experiences, we are creating a first-of-its-kind two-school model that blends creativity, technology and leadership, preparing students to lead the future of guest experiences.鈥�
Pegasus Partners: Scaling Impact Through Collaboration
As 麻豆原创鈥檚 first entertainment-sector Pegasus Partner, Universal Destinations & Experiences joins a group of industry leaders working with the university to solve real-world challenges, accelerate discovery, and strengthen the workforce talent pipeline. Universal is also the first Pegasus Partner to enter into a master research agreement with 麻豆原创, enabling collaboration at scale and unlocking new opportunities for applied research.
The Pegasus Partners program offers opportunities for select partners to engage across the university in ways that create meaningful value for both organizations. That engagement includes talent development and recruitment, shared research projects, joint ventures and collaborations, strategic philanthropy, and co-location at 麻豆原创.
As the first Pegasus Partner since the start of , 麻豆原创鈥檚 $3.5 billion campaign to accelerate its next era of impact, Universal鈥檚 commitment is a powerful model that combines philanthropy and strategic industry investment to drive innovation, expand opportunity, and fuel shared success.
