Why Kamara Logan ’28 Loves JWU’s Three-Year Hospitality Program

When Kamara Logan ’28 toured JWU Providence she knew had found the right school in the right city and was set on becoming a Wildcat. “JWU fits the type of person I am,” said Logan, who describes herself as “a hard worker who thrives under pressure.”

She also had an immediate attraction to Providence. “I saw Providence and even tried different food in the area. I loved it and wanted to see more. I thought ‘Yes, this is me. It's where I want to live.’ It wasn't hard to adapt to and my life in Providence picked up on its own and started to pave itself out.”

Why did Logan choose JWU’s Three-Year Degree program in Hospitality Management?

As a first-year Hospitality Management major in JWU’s new Three-Year Career-Focused Bachelor’s Degree program, Logan says she has a deep love of the hospitality industry — she’s already worked in restaurants for several years. She is a perfect fit for the recently launched program designed for driven students eager to earn their degree and start their careers sooner.

“This program gives me the opportunity to grow both in the classroom and in the real world,” noted Logan. “It’s the perfect blend of hands-on experience and academic learning, and I’m excited to continue building the skills that will help me thrive in the hospitality field and beyond.”

Logan moved to Providence from Prince Georges County, Maryland, where she took a culinary course in high school, worked in restaurants and discovered her interest in hospitality. “I fell head over heels for operations management and was drawn to the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running smoothly,” which for Logan included taking on leadership roles in the kitchen and looking for ways to improve some of the processes.

Kamara Logan '28, student in JWU Three-Year Degree Hospitality Management program

What did Logan’s parents think about the Three-Year Degree Program?

Logan said that at first her parents were a bit nervous about her coming to JWU because of how far it is from home. But once they visited and toured the campus with her, Logan said, “They realized why I wanted to come here and what I was truly going to get out of my experiences here and were so proud. They understood that the three-year degree program was meant for me. I love to work and they knew I needed an environment where I was learning hands on. When we explored the campus and saw the Bigelow Tea Classroom used for beverage appreciation and the Xavier Academic Complex (that houses the College of Hospitality & Business), they saw how much there is for students to do here, and they loved it. They were sold because JWU fits the type of person I was coming out of high school, so they felt more comfortable sending me here after visiting.”

How was Logan’s first semester?

For Logan, the Fall 2025 semester was a milestone. It wasn’t just her first semester at JWU; she was one of nearly 100 students in the first class of JWU’s newly launched three-year degree program. And it was even better than she expected.
“It went really smoothly. I ended with a good GPA, was on the dean’s list and working at a local restaurant, so I kind of exceeded my own expectations last semester.”

Logan credited staff and faculty with helping her get to know the university and feel comfortable early on. “Student Career Advisor Joelle Perrone is my three-year degree advisor, the person I communicate with the most and the first person I go to when I have questions.”

Logan also likes the help she receives with her résumé and the opportunities for students to connect with people from the hospitality industry. “They've brought in quite a few speakers for students already, people from different sectors of hospitality.”

And she’s getting to meet people from outside hospitality as well. “There are so many different majors here, so many different types of people to talk to — that's something I've come to learn from being here and going to my classes. JWU is a good place to network.”

Logan expressed her thanks to faculty for going out of their way. “During my first three weeks, I don't think I spent any time on the weekends in my residence hall. I was always going somewhere — I've been to see the Marriott and the Providence Performing Arts Center and all different kinds of places around providence and even in Boston because my professors wanted us to experience them.” Many of the trips were led by Associate Professor Leslie Kosky. “She has been really helpful,” noted Logan, who said Kosky took students to see different sites around Providence to explore and become familiar with the city.

Kamara Logan '28 in Mamacitas Bar & Grill with co-worker Hernan Badillo, who also attended JWU. 

Gaining career experience, connections and a community

Within a month of starting her first semester, Logan landed a position at a Providence restaurant where she still works. When her parents visited in October for Family Weekend, she and her mom got lunch at Mamacitas Bar & Grill, which is within walking distance of the Downcity Campus. While Logan was telling a staff member how much she loved her uniform, one of the restaurant’s managers approached her and asked if she was interested in a job. She learned he was a JWU alum. He said he noticed her mom’s “JWU Parent” t-shirt, which is why he struck up the conversation.

Logan said that during her job interview, “They were really interested in my track record, where I was headed. They liked that I wanted to work in a place where I'm able to grow. They have really extended a hand in letting me learn. I've been working on menus and on their website. I found a community here in Providence, starting with my job, and that was my first eye-opening experience with people being so kind and hospitable in Providence.”

Enjoying life at JWU Providence

Logan was a little nervous about moving to Providence but quickly made new friends, including her two roommates in McNulty Hall, one of the first-year residence halls on the Downcity Campus. “They are now my closest friends who I go everywhere with,” said Logan. “And I have met a lot of different people in Providence, not just being at JWU, but because everybody wants you to explore and do different things. There’s WaterFire Providence, ice skating, boat rides — there’s so much to do. That's what makes me want to stay here.”

What is Logan’s favorite thing to do in Providence? As a true foodie, Logan loves Providence’s restaurant scene which includes restaurants and cafés with JWU alums and students as managers, chefs and more. “My favorite thing to do in Providence is to try different food. There's a lot of good restaurants here and people are more hospitable here than where I'm from.”

Logan also has a work-study job in JWU’s Energy Conservation Office on the Harborside Campus, where she works on different projects geared towards sustainability: e-waste, recycling, surplus sales, a thrift store and even taking caring of plants and learning about gardening.

Kamara Logan '28 at work in Mamacitas

What are Logan’s Career Goals?

For her future, Logan is looking at different possibilities. One is working towards being the general manager of a restaurant. “I've been working in restaurants a long time and being a general manager is something I've wanted to do.”

Logan also aspires to make her way into the luxury resort side of hospitality. “I'm really into resorts and in the long run that's where I want to end up. I want to put my mark in and see how I can do things differently. I'm thinking about restaurants first and then moving over to hotels as I gradually move up.” One resort that Logan said she would like to hone her skills at is the Omni Mount Washington Resort & Spa in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, not all that far from Providence.

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