Storytelling, Support, and a Culture of Care: Capstone Projects from Cornell Interns at The Bristal

Hospitality is more than a service. It's an expression of respect, care, and connection.

At The Bristal communities, hospitality shapes every interaction, fostering meaningful experiences for residents and supporting the continuous learning and growth of our team members. Throughout the Cornell University internship program, this commitment was evident as 2025 interns Grace, Cici, and Hailey presented creative solutions where opportunity intersected with their interests, proposing interesting and spirited advancements for our marketing, team member retention, and new residents' experience. 

Through capstone projects and engaging Lunch and Learn discussions, our interns discovered how leadership at The Bristal encourages feedback, values new ideas, and welcomes different perspectives. This open and supportive atmosphere empowers everyone to contribute, learn, and grow together, strengthening our shared commitment to residents and team members. 

Bringing The Bristal's Story to Life in Short-Form Video Content

During her time at The Bristal at Englewood, intern Grace identified an opportunity to amplify the Bristal's core values -- integrity, enthusiasm, respect, collaboration, responsibility, and excellence -- by focusing on short-form video storytelling. 

Project Highlights

• Encouraged each community to film short, authentic clips featuring resident life, building strong ties among residents, families, and team members
• Recommended that recreation team members led video creation, supported by clear creative guidance and training from the marketing team
• Proposed a centralized review process to ensure videos consistently reflect the brand, tone, and image of The Bristal

Grace suggests that future interns benefit most by connecting directly with residents and colleagues, observing daily life, and seeking out diverse perspectives within the community, for a well-rounded view of senior living.       

Building a Culture of Support in Wellness

Inspired by her experience at The Bristal at Holtsville, intern Cici concentrated on enhancing the onboarding experience for new Wellness Department team members, recognizing that hospitality extends to supporting one another. 

Project Highlights

• Developed a mentorship-focused onboarding plan, pairing new hires with experienced team members to foster connection and learning
• Created accessible bilingual training resources to ensure all staff can participate confidently in their roles
• Designed a phased integration process that emphasizes timely encouragement and feedback

Cici recommends future interns approach their work with curiosity and openness, taking time to listen, learn from every experience, and make the most of opportunities to foster team work.

Elevating the Move-In Experience

At The Bristal at York Avenue, intern Hailey aimed to transform the resident move-in transition, believing a thoughtful and welcoming start is crucial for long-term satisfaction. 

Project Highlights

• Introduced a personalized three-day welcome plan and paired new residents with peer ambassadors to ease their transition
• Improved family involvement by providing clear points of connection and opportunities for feedback during onboarding
• Streamlined tracking systems to monitor  engagement and encourage early social participation

Hailey's advice for future interns is to observe the onboarding journey through the eyes of new residents, proactively finding small ways to enhance their comfort and belonging. 

Leadership, Openness and the Heart of Hospitality

Through Lunch and Learn sessions, the interns saw firsthand how The Bristal's leaders demonstrate openness and a willingness to listen. The leadership team's collaborative, feedback-driven style creates a supportive culture where ideas are welcomed at every level and team members are empowered to contribute. This approach reinforces the value of authentic relationships benefiting all who live and work within our communities. 

The Future of Hospitality: Learning and Innovation

The work of Grace, Cici, and Hailey showcases how hospitality, collaboration, and continual learning are central to innovation at The Bristal communities. Their projects highlight the importance of approaching each new idea with empathy and a drive to improve, creating lasting value for residents and all of our team members.

For those considering a future internship, the individual recommendations are clear: seek out connections, observe with intention, share your insights, and always keep the focus on making a meaningful difference for residents, for families, for fellow team members, and for yourself. 

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