The Broadmoor connection forged in Dubrovnik: Sarah Stephens' full circle
Sarah Stephens, Reservations Manager and Alyssa Graudins, Director of Recruitment from The Broadmoor holding a presentation to RIT Croatia students
In a powerful testament to the long-term impact of international education, Sarah Stephens, Reservations Manager for the renowned The Broadmoor: Destination Resort in Colorado Springs, the World's Longest-Running Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond Resort, recently visited RIT Croatia. She traveled alongside her colleague, Alyssa Graudins, Director of Recruitment. However, this visit was a true full-circle moment specifically for Sarah, as RIT Croatia is where her own 20-year career journey began.
Sarah is an RIT graduate from the hospitality program who spent her last semester in 2005 studying at RIT Croatia’s Dubrovnik campus. She even walked the graduation stage here, an event special enough that her parents flew over from the US to attend. During that pivotal time in Dubrovnik, she connected with RIT Croatia students who raved about their co-op experience at the Broadmoor, a memory that would ultimately shape her life.
The RIT Croatia catalyst
In 2005, RIT was actively encouraging students to attend its global campus in Croatia. Sarah and her now husband decided to take the adventure. Studying hospitality in Croatia provided a unique real-life experience.
"Taking classes with the students from Croatia and the region was fun, they were so interested in us and life in the US, and we were so interested to learn from them," Sarah recalls. She found that the experience emphasized the foundations of good service: "smiling, being kind, and learning about people to then make memories with them. Even today in my role at The Broadmoor, this is the groundwork to providing 5-star service".
Crucially, it was the co-op feedback from the students that sparked her career. The students—who were able to do their co-op at The Broadmoor in Colorado through the long-standing collaboration between The Broadmoor and RIT Croatia - had "loved being able to experience/learn how to provide 5-star service" and mentioned the beauty of Colorado. Sarah and her husband thought, "We might need to check this out after we graduate".
The pivotal career connection
Upon graduating, the desire to travel persisted. They flew to Colorado, toured the Broadmoor, and within a week, were called for an interview. The job opportunity came directly from that semester in Dubrovnik.
When asked about her unusual career path from upstate New York to Colorado, Sarah developed a standard line: “I had to go all the way to Dubrovnik, Croatia, to learn about the Broadmoor”.
After nearly 20 years at the Broadmoor, Sarah sees the profound value of her global education. She believes that studying at RIT Croatia and learning the culture has made her a better manager. This perspective is vital today as she manages J-1 students (like many RIT Croatia interns), ensuring they are welcomed and understood as someone "who understands what it’s like to leave home and take a risk that might be outside your comfort zone".
The power of RIT's global vision
Sarah's story is a powerful validation of RIT's commitment to international education.
Returning now to recruit, Sarah seeks students with English skills who want to learn how to provide "above and beyond service". She sees RIT Croatia students as a "perfect fit" for the luxury resort, knowing they understand customer service and want exposure.
Her message to current students considering an international co-op or semester abroad is simple: "As cheesy as it sounds, I live by the motto of 'Just go for it'". For Sarah Stephens, that risk paid off in a 20-year dream job, inspired by a semester and connections made right here in Dubrovnik.
"If the students had not shared their experience, the whole path may have looked different for me," she reflects. "I love learning for others, and it makes us kinder, better people".
