Building Tomorrow's Leaders: A Partnership with Cornell University and The Bristal Assisted Living

Reflecting on our inaugural internship program with Cornell University's Nolan School of Hotel Administration, we're proud to mark the beginning of a collaboration designed to shape the future of senior living.

Over eight weeks, this immersive program offered an invaluable bridge between academic learning and real-world leadership, laying a foundation for the next generation of professionals devoted to compassionate, expert care.

A New Standard for Senior Living Internships

Through this partnership, The Bristal provides graduate and upper-level undergraduate students the opportunity to rotate through key departments in our communities and corporate home office. Interns experience hands-on learning across administration, wellness, dining and culinary services, programming, marketing, and environmental services. James Rapcyzk, Director of Learning and Organizational Development for Ultimate Care Management, described the experience, "They're getting a taste of real world operations in a healthcare setting, it's an immersive experience." 

The program seeks applicants from hospitality management, business administration, healthcare management, public health, gerontology, and related fields. With paid opportunities, transferrable Cornell credits, and select housing options, it offers a true head start for those passionate about the senior living industry. 

The Inaugural Class of Interns

This year's program welcomed three remarkable students -- Cici, Grace, and Hailey --each offering fresh perspective to our communities. 

Cici, a Hospitality major, spent her internship at The Bristal at Holtsville. Drawn by the prospect of blending hospitality and healthcare, she found her prior assumptions about senior living transformed. "I thought that it would be a great opportunity to see what hospitality and healthcare would look like together," she said.

Each day brought a new challenge, from accompanying residents on outings to working on compliance audits. Cici expressed, "There are a lot of elements that I've learned in class that have translated into The Bristal and it's given me a better idea of how hospitality can be incorporated into anything, not just assisted living." 

Grace, studying Healthcare Policy, completed her internship rotation at The Bristal at Englewood and discovered how resident-driven luxury could reshape her view of the industry. "I have always been interested in the intersection between healthcare and business, and honestly this is just a great industry to get into."

Speaking of daily life, Grace gained a deeper respect for how innovative businesses and care initiatives directly touch lives. She advised future interns, "You get to really immerse yourself in the community. You'll start to see where you skill set aligns with the needs of the community." Her experiences connecting with residents who've lived, and continue to live, extraordinary lives left a lasting impression. 

Hailey, also majoring in Healthcare Policy, was based at The Bristal at York Avenue. She focused on the power of individualized care and meaningful engagement. "The Bristal internship really stood out to me as an opportunity to gain not only that personal experience I'm looking for, but that professional experience," she shared, reflecting on everything from helping run programming to the adaptability required in a rotational program.

Hailey encourages future interns, "This internship has helped me grow professionally and personally in many ways and I would encourage any potential student looking to work in this field to apply to this internship." 

Leadership Insights: Intern Lunch and Learn Highlights

A cornerstone of the internship experience was the Intern Lunch and Learn series, where interns, home office leaders, and team members came together for candid dialogue on hospitality, leadership, and the future of senior living.

As James Rapcyzk described it, "Members of the home office got to see what the interns were doing, and be engaged in the conversation on these given topics, whether hospitality, marketing, etc." 

During the sessions, leaders emphasized the heart of The Bristal's approach, including personal connection, consistent training, and elevating service from routine task to relationship-driven motivation. Lina Boullali, Regional Director of Hospitality, provided a tangible example of a service mindset, "Do they want their art hung and their clothes organized in the closet before they arrive, or not? Find those things that matter for them -- that's what luxury is." 

Leaders at The Bristal also offered powerful advice on mentorship, integrity, and authentic leadership. Kyra Sosnow, Vice President of Information Technology Systems, said "I never ask the team to do anything I wouldn't do myself." Eileen Rainer, Chief Financial Officer, echoed echoed Kyra's thoughts, adding, "I lead with integrity, what you see is what you get. That's how I got to this point in my career."

The importance of mentoring, both having a mentor and being a mentor, is never overlooked at The Bristal Assisted Living. Chief Operating Officer Amy Silva-Magalhaes highlighted, "Having a mentor is one of the most valuable things in any career path. It's about embracing the ability to be transparent and receive feedback." She also stressed the value of drive and authenticity, adding "Fire, hunger, drive, grit -- someone who wants to perform, wants to go beyond -- that's what I look for in a leader." 

Together, these sessions underscored what sets The Bristal apart: a culture built on purpose, learning, and compassion. It's a place where team members and residents alike are encouraged to thrive.

The Value of Authentic Connections

A consistent message throughout the internship was communicated: authenticity is essential. Vice President of Strategy, Samantha Fischgrund, captured it best, "It's all about authentic connections. Every opportunity to connect with someone is important, even just saying hello." Whether nurturing resident bonds or learning leadership skills, every interaction is an opportunity to reinforce trust and deliver unparalleled care. 

The interns observed how authenticity permeates every aspect of The Bristal, noting how leaders consistently supported their team members, readily accepted feedback, jumped in to assist as needed, and remained flexible. Leaders modeled transparency, listened to new ideas, and supported growth with empathy, ensuring that team members and residents felt valued and empowered. This organization-wide focus on connection builds a foundation of trust and inspires everyone to deliver care that is both compassionate and personal. At The Bristal, authentic connection truly shapes every experience, making it a hallmark of our community. 

Looking Ahead

The success of our first Cornell internship cycle affirms that when knowledge meets experience, supported by a team dedicated to excellence, great things happen. For those seeking a meaningful, purpose-driven career in senior living, our program provides the experience, mentorship, and inspiration to make a lasting impact. Our commitment to nurturing tomorrow's leaders continues, strengthened by invaluable insights and new ideas from our interns. 

Check back for more updates about the impactful capstone projects developed by our interns and the innovative solutions they proposed to help shape the future of senior living at The Bristal. 

Students interested in applying should submit their resume and a brief statement of interest via their campus career portal or directly via email to jrapcyk@ultimatecaremgmt.com