Johnson & Wales University - Providence hospitality students received a total of $49,500 worth of surprise scholarships from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation during an exclusive reception in May.
The organization provides scholarships like these to hospitality students across the country, and the J&W students were among 344 winners chosen from more than 1,200 applications. AHLEF awarded $1.3 million in scholarship funds in 2019 alone, with more than 75 percent female recipients and 45 percent minority students.
“As students navigate a highly competitive job market, we’re honored to provide pathways to a lifelong career in hospitality. There’s enormous opportunity for people to excel in our industry, and it’s our job to open those doors,” said AHLEF president Rosanna Maietta. “Providing scholarships for interested and deserving students, particularly those who might not otherwise have access to a necessary education, is a core part of our mission as we develop the next generation of hospitality leaders.”
11 students from J&W received awards: Brooks Kenney, Benjamin Marinelli, America Mason, Robert Michalofsky, Brett Moccia, Caroline Sirois, Tracy Chan, Kylie Gary, Cheyenne Brown and Heather-Lynn Davis.
Three recipients are highlighted below, with insight provided by a release on the scholarships.
- Brooks Kenney, 20: "A rising junior at JWU-Providence, Kenney has been around the hospitality industry for as long as he can remember. Both Kenney and his mother are working to finance his education. This scholarship will help further his ultimate career goal of owning a boutique hotel in New England."
- Robert Michalofsky, 20: "Michalofsky has a love of hospitality in his veins, spurred on by his family’s catering business. An NCAA athlete and Dean’s List student, he will enter his junior year in 2019 with the help of an AHLEF scholarship."
- Tracy Chan, 19: "Chan is receiving an AHLEF scholarship to help finance her education and go above and beyond in both her academic studies and hospitality career."
