Michael Demes is a family man and the director of sales at the Hilton Garden Inn in Boca Raton, Florida. He’s a Navy veteran and Boston-born longtime Florida resident. And now he’s also a college degree-holding certified member of The University of Alabama alumni family, after he graduated in August 2019 with his bachelor’s in Hospitality Management, which he earned 100% online though UA Online.
In 2016, Michael was a personal banker for Citi in Palm Beach. He’d spent his career in retail banking, but when he saw that Citi was closing branches all over – including his own branch – he decided maybe it wasn’t the best career to bank on for his and his family’s future. He’d been hired as a sales manager at a Holiday Inn, and he was enjoying the hospitality field. Then his son asked him why he never finished college, and that was a turning point.
“I didn’t really have a good answer,” he recalled. “I could not look my boys in the face and tell them to compete and never give up on their dreams if I had. And since I liked hospitality, I started to do my research and see what programs were out there for me. I came across UA Online, and at the time, it was even cheaper than most of the state schools near me, and I could tell it was a good program.”
The program’s curriculum didn’t just add knowledge for Michael, but it benefited his employer, too. “Some assignments had me working in the kitchen for a while and in banquets for a bit. It helped me out because it gave me a better understanding of everything we do, but it helped the hotel out as well because I was cross-trained across the whole property.”
After he had a few courses under his belt, Michael was promoted to the position of assistant director of sales at the Holiday Inn, and then later, he accepted his current position as director of sales at the Hilton Garden Inn. He attributes these successes in part to his degree program.
“My degree from Alabama absolutely helped me advance. I was able to apply what I was learning directly to my role as assistant director, and my classes helped me speak more intelligently on work matters. And when I applied for the director position, a bachelor’s was required. They saw that I was almost finished with it, so they considered me. I only had two and a half years of hospitality sales experience, but they knew the degree made me a more knowledgeable candidate,” Michael said.
Michael mentioned his adviser, Jason Blumenthal and lauded all of the professors in the program. “As long as you communicate with them, everyone is really great and willing to work with you when you need it.”
Michael began the degree program in 2017 and finished less than two years later, thanks to some college credits he had earned earlier in life. In order to finish his bachelor’s so quickly, he worked full time and also took a full course load while still fulfilling the responsibilities of a husband and father. “My wife and kids were very supportive. Their support and the hotel’s support helped me get it done. I’m very grateful.”
Michael’s wife is an avid Florida fan, and his degree from Alabama has led to a divided household when it comes to sports. “One of my sons sides with me, and one of them stayed with her, so it gets pretty interesting during football season,” he said.
When they came to campus for Michael’s graduation, they also attended Fan Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium, where he met one of his classmates from a summer course – Mac Jones. “My son and I got his autograph, and we talked about the class. He was really nice,” Michael remembered.
“I’ve never been prouder. Earning my degree was one of the biggest accomplishments of my life. It was a great experience, and I’ve never been happier. I’m really glad I did it.”
Published: August 30th, 2020