Action Items

• Celebrate the holidays with AEF on Dec. 15 at the Conrad Washington DC.
• Follow each week as our year-round interns take over AEF’s Instagram and TikTok
• Sign up to be a mentor in our new AEF Mentorship Program
• Connect with new Academy Directors: Dr. Patrick Jackson at Columbia Heights Educational Campus and Brandon Wims at Jackson-Reed High School

AEF is proud to host four Advanced Internship Program interns in the 2022-23 school year: Aya Shaw, Declan Bianchi, and Jordan Goings from Jackson-Reed ’23 and Mattison McDonald from Coolidge High School ’23. They will be documenting their experiences throughout the year on AEF’s Instagram and TikTok.

See them in action now!

They will also be hosting the Destination DC Member Holiday Celebration on Dec. 15— so save the date!

The Career and Technical Advanced Internship Program (AIP) is a mayoral initiative that places eligible high school seniors into paid and credit-bearing internship opportunities. The internships are school-year long and connect student to professional opportunities.

Thank you to this year's AIP partners: Concord Hospitality, FishScale, Fava Pot, Health & Joy Services, Hotel George, Pebblebrook Hotel, Founding Farmers and Multicultural Intern Program.

Interested in becoming a host employer? Please contact Lisa Waldschmitt, Senior Foundation Manager.

Dr. Patrick Jackson has been promoted to Director of the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Columbia Heights Educational Campus. Dr. Jackson has almost 20 years of industry experience, including as the Academy educator for the past five years.

Brandon Wims has been promoted to Director at the Academy of Hospitality and Tourism at Jackson-Reed High School. Mr. Wims has worked at Jackson-Reed for 12 years, including as the College and Career Coordinator for the Academy for the past four years.

AEF is launching a new mentorship program to invest in the next generation of hospitality industry professionals and leaders. Connect with and mentor a young person in our community by supporting their career and college readiness. Topics of discussion include goal setting, building a resume, networking and interview skills.

We’re looking for professionals from all backgrounds with all job titles. No experience is necessary.

We are excited to celebrate the holiday season on Dec. 15 at the Conrad Washington, DC.

Donate a hotel stay, a gift card or an amenity to our raffle benefiting AEF students by emailing Emily Vecchioni to get involved and give back this holiday season.

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