Columbia Hotel Builds Inclusive Hiring Model
The Lantern Columbia, opened in January, partners with the University of South Carolina and CarolinaLIFE to employ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Nearly 40 percent of the hotel's team comes from these programs, including staff at its restaurant Ladder 13. General Manager Rick Hayduk said training takes more time and repetition, but the approach creates meaningful career pathways.
The Lantern Columbia, a Raines property, opened in January and works with the University of South Carolina’s hospitality college and CarolinaLIFE. Almost 40% of its staff come through those programs, including workers at Ladder 13, the restaurant and bar led by James Beard nominee Kevin Johnson. Southern Living recognized Ladder 13 as its August Restaurant of the Month.
General Manager Rick Hayduk, who has two children with Down syndrome, previously supported ClemsonLIFE at The Shepherd Hotel. He describes training as slower, often three to four times longer, and dependent on repetition. The hotel uses a “mosaic” model: some employees handle several tasks in shorter shifts, making scheduling complex.
This model may broaden paid career options for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who often face limited pathways. It could also reshape how hospitality teams schedule and train staff, encouraging employers to value varied strengths rather than uniform output. Guests and coworkers may encounter more inclusive workplaces, while other hotels could study the approach. Success may depend on sustained leadership, patience, and local partnerships, so its wider influence remains uncertain.