Just five years ago, Savannah Miller was a high school senior from Austin, Texas, touring college campuses during the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, she is a two-time  graduate of the University of South Carolina’s College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management, holding a bachelor’s degree in tourism management and a Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management degree. Her resume includes a long list of academic and leadership awards and accomplishments, and she has accepted a post-graduation position with Dallas Athletic Club.

For Miller, the master’s degree required only one additional year on campus. Thanks to HRSM’s accelerated bachelor’s/master’s degree program, she was able to begin earning graduate credit while still an undergraduate student. 

The young woman who not so long ago wanted to be a Disney princess is now a leader beginning her career at one of the nation’s top country clubs. The journey began in her hometown of Austin, Texas. Her mom told her to apply to colleges that interested her and they would tour once she was accepted.

“My mom worked in sports for many years. We got to HRSM and did our little tour and my mom was just blown away,” she recalls. “We were here when it was 75 degrees, sunny. Everybody was outside tanning. I loved it. My mom asked me if I wanted to go to the bookstore and that was the first college that I toured that I was like, "Yes, I want to go. I want to get Gamecock merch, all of this.” 

Miller arrived at USC knowing she wanted to work in hospitality. In high school, she had experience in events and food and beverage and initially dreamed of becoming a wedding planner.

“I knew hospitality was the way to go,” she says. 

She pursued a degree in tourism management and quickly immersed herself in campus life. What began as plans to join a sorority and play club tennis evolved into an extraordinary record of involvement and leadership.

“I’ve always been one to stick out,” Miller says. “I knew going into college that whatever I put in is what I’m going to get out.” 

That mindset led her to become an HRSM Leader and president of four organizations while balancing academics, internships and extracurricular activities.

“I knew I wanted to get involved. I didn't realize how involved I was actually going to be,” she says with a smile.

Her excellence did not go unnoticed. In 2025, Miller became one of only two students in HRSM history to receive both the Dean’s Award for Outstanding Leadership and an HRSM Academic Excellence Award.

“The academic one meant a lot to me because in high school I was never the 4.0 person,” she says. “Winning that award proved that I enjoyed what I was studying so much that I could succeed at that level.” 

The Dean’s Award for Outstanding Leadership was equally meaningful.

“Every person up for that award was amazing and so involved,” Miller says. “Just hearing all the nice things the faculty had to say about me made me feel valued and noticed for all the hard work I put in.” 

Miller credits much of her success to the support and mentorship she found within HRSM.

“Everybody in the hospitality college has been amazing,” she says, specifically recognizing faculty and staff members who helped shape her experience. “This college has given me so much.” 

One of the biggest turning points in Miller’s academic journey came when her sorority mentor (also a tourism management major) encouraged her to look into HRSM’s accelerated bachelor’s/master’s degree program.

“At first, I said, ‘More school? No, not for me,’” Miller recalled. “But the more I talked to Dr. Scott Taylor about it, the more I realized how much it could help me with my career goals.” 

The accelerated program makes it possible to earn both degrees in a shorter amount of time. For students like Miller, the program provides an efficient pathway to advanced education while expanding industry knowledge and professional skills.

Miller says the master’s program helped her discover strengths she did not realize she had.

“Everything that I learned in undergrad was built upon in my master's degree. I took an advanced finance class where I got certified in revenue management. I now have my asset management license. I thought I hated math and numbers, but I’m actually really good at it,” she says. “I learned so much about myself and what I want to do.” 

The graduate curriculum also challenged her to grow personally and professionally. Professor Charles Partlow’s course in strategic leadership focused heavily on self-reflection, helping students better understand their strengths, weaknesses and management styles.

“That class really helped me reflect on the type of leader I want to be going into the industry,” Miller says. It's a great way to close the chapter, but also help me build upon and learn going out into the world and being a new manager.”

Beyond the classroom, HRSM provided Miller with opportunities to gain hands-on experience at some of the hospitality and tourism industry’s premier events. She worked at The Masters Tournament, The Players Championship and attended numerous conferences, building her resume and professional network.

Those experiences, combined with USC’s strong alumni network, helped open doors after graduation. 

As she reflects on her five years at USC, Miller says the experience transformed her.

“If you would’ve seen 18-year-old Savannah and now 23-year-old Savannah, you would think they’re completely different people,” she says. “I’m still bubbly and extroverted, but I’ve changed in the best way, and that all comes from my experience here. Something that I developed here is learning how to be a mentor to others.”

Miller encourages future HRSM students to take full advantage of the opportunities available to them. She did that from day one, and even more so as a grad student in her final year on campus.

“This year specifically, I became a lot closer with people in the college because I put myself out there so much. If I got invited to dinner, I was there. Obviously I loved being in a sorority. It was a great way for me to make friends and make friends quickly. Carolina Club Tennis tournaments are going to be memories that I will take for the rest of my life. It's so fun going to other schools as a tourist for the weekend and then coming back. In HRSM specifically, obviously last year winning those two awards, that meant a lot to me. I don't want to get emotional. Winning those two awards last year meant a lot.”

As her second graduation ceremony approached, she said yes, as she had so many times before, to a request from the HRSM Communications and Marketing team to share her story. Always one of the college’s best ambassadors, her final interview as a student included her advice for those who want to follow in her footsteps.

“Get involved. That's the biggest thing. Like I said, you're going to get out what you put into it. Even if it doesn't seem like a cool thing at the time as a freshman, put yourself out there. Yes, working The Masters is a great opportunity, but also join CMAA. There's a whole world of club management. There are also so many other on campus and general clubs. If you played soccer in high school, join the club soccer team, get involved any way possible. There's so much more to this college and this university than just Greek life. I think it's important that people realize that and know they can go and find something that they're interested in.”

Miller’s story reflects not only her own talent and dedication but also the strength of HRSM’s programs: combining academic rigor, industry engagement, leadership development and mentorship to prepare students for successful careers, along with a powerful alumni network ready to lend a hand.

“The alumni network helped me get my job,” she says. “I’m very grateful for everything this college has given me.”