Alumni Spotlight: Stephanie Kane ’11

From Hospitality to Holistic Wellness: How MSU Denver Helped Shape a Pilates Instructor’s Path

Before Stephanie Kane ’11 ever stepped into a classroom at MSU Denver, Stephanie Kane was already immersed in the hospitality world. Her career began in the early 2000s at a private golf club in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado, where she worked as a beverage cart attendant and helped with clubhouse events. That first season sparked a decade‑long journey through golf courses, restaurants and resorts across Arizona and California.

Some roles came naturally. Others, like driving a stick‑shift beverage cart through mountainous terrain, were less successful. But each experience built her confidence and deepened her understanding of service.

“I worked everywhere, from halfway houses to high‑end restaurants,” she said. “I managed staff, learned the industry from the ground up and really grew into the work.”

Returning to Colorado for a Degree

After years of hands‑on experience, Kane felt a pull toward something more. She wanted a four‑year degree, and she wanted to earn it in a place that felt accessible and supportive. That brought her back to Colorado and to MSU Denver’s Hospitality, Tourism and Events program.

“I enrolled at MSU Denver and LOVED IT,” she said. “I was highly involved in my department with all kinds of activities.”

Her enthusiasm quickly made her a standout. She participated in the department’s annual holiday event, fondly remembered as “Frosty’s Feast”, where students transformed a large campus space into a full‑service dining experience. For Kane, who had spent years in hospitality roles, the event felt like home. MSU Denver provided a pathway to formal education that honored the experience she already had, while offering the academic structure she needed to advance.

A Once‑in‑a‑Lifetime Opportunity

Kane’s most memorable moment came when she was hand‑selected by Chef Jackson Lamb to participate in a major multi‑department event involving world‑renowned artists Christo and Jeanne‑Claude. Their work, including the iconic “Gates” installation in New York’s Central Park, had captivated audiences around the world.

The event included a high‑end gallery reception and an intimate private dinner in a historic Denver apartment once occupied by former Mayor John Hickenlooper. Tickets for the dinner reportedly cost $10,000.

Kane was one of only a handful of hospitality students chosen to serve the artists and their guests.

“It was such a fun experience and night,” she said. “I still have it listed on my hospitality résumé.”

A New Direction: Farming and Fitness

After graduating in 2011, Kane returned to Long Island to be closer to her parents, especially after her father’s Parkinson’s diagnosis. There, her career took an unexpected but meaningful turn.

She became a certified biodynamic farmer and a Certified Organic Land Care Professional through the Northeast Organic Farming Association of Connecticut. She also discovered a passion for Pilates and barre, first as a client, then as a certified instructor.

Today, she teaches Pilates, barre and strength training at three local gyms and a community recreation center. She loves meeting new people, building relationships with returning clients and helping them understand how movement can support long‑term health.

“It’s that I meet new folks every day,” she said. “I love having conversations about how Pilates can help them overall.”

A Life Rooted in Care

Kane now lives with her 90‑year‑old mother and cares for a lively flock of chickens and a beloved female Pekin duck named Wobbles. She laughs about Wobbles’ need for a duck companion and hopes to add another female duck soon.

Though she’s no longer in Colorado, she stays connected to MSU Denver through departmental emails and fond memories of her time on campus.

Kane credits MSU Denver with strengthening her communication skills, deepening her understanding of the hospitality industry and giving her the confidence to navigate new professional spaces.

“It helped me speak better to crowds and understand the industry overall,” she said.