For the first time in the organization's 23 years of service, the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau will award up to three college scholarships to students who are in pursuit of a post-secondary degree in hospitality and tourism management.
“These scholarships are a long time coming,” said Kurt Burkhart, the bureau's executive director. “Our desire has always been to do this in partnership, and we feel fortunate to have found a partner with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. To the best of our knowledge, we will be the first tourism bureau in San Diego County to directly award cash scholarships to students.”
A year ago, the bureau was awarded $2,000 from the county, which the bureau will match with another $2,000. From those funds, three scholarships will be presented to students who are selected in a competitive review by local tourism officials.
Finalists will receive their scholarships at an awards recognition luncheon in October.
Nancy Nayudu, chairwoman of the bureau's board and owner of the Pelican Cove Inn, said the hospitality and tourism industry is important to many communities in our country, which is evident by the number of jobs that were created last year in the industry.
“We have this opportunity to give back to our community in a small way that will make a huge difference in the lives of so many, including the recipients of these scholarships,” Nayudu said.
She added that she is grateful to San Diego County 5th District Supervisor Bill Horn for helping to make this year's scholarships possible.
The bureau is seeking additional funding from the Board of Supervisors to support more scholarships that would be awarded next year.
Burkhart said the program has widespread support and is a win-win for everyone.
“There is no better way to achieve success through this program than by having a partnership where mutual benefit is achieved,” he said.
There are mandatory requirements that need to be met before an application will be considered, including having at least a 3.0 GPA, being a resident of San Diego County and submitting a 500-word essay. Applicants may be asked to meet with the review committee, which will make a final decision by August.
The deadline to apply for the scholarships is July 15. Applications are available online at www.visitcarlsbad.com.
For more information, call (760) 434-6093 or write to the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau, Attn: Scholarship Application, 400 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA, 92008.
“These scholarships are a long time coming,” said Kurt Burkhart, the bureau's executive director. “Our desire has always been to do this in partnership, and we feel fortunate to have found a partner with the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. To the best of our knowledge, we will be the first tourism bureau in San Diego County to directly award cash scholarships to students.”
A year ago, the bureau was awarded $2,000 from the county, which the bureau will match with another $2,000. From those funds, three scholarships will be presented to students who are selected in a competitive review by local tourism officials.
Finalists will receive their scholarships at an awards recognition luncheon in October.
Nancy Nayudu, chairwoman of the bureau's board and owner of the Pelican Cove Inn, said the hospitality and tourism industry is important to many communities in our country, which is evident by the number of jobs that were created last year in the industry.
“We have this opportunity to give back to our community in a small way that will make a huge difference in the lives of so many, including the recipients of these scholarships,” Nayudu said.
She added that she is grateful to San Diego County 5th District Supervisor Bill Horn for helping to make this year's scholarships possible.
The bureau is seeking additional funding from the Board of Supervisors to support more scholarships that would be awarded next year.
Burkhart said the program has widespread support and is a win-win for everyone.
“There is no better way to achieve success through this program than by having a partnership where mutual benefit is achieved,” he said.
There are mandatory requirements that need to be met before an application will be considered, including having at least a 3.0 GPA, being a resident of San Diego County and submitting a 500-word essay. Applicants may be asked to meet with the review committee, which will make a final decision by August.
The deadline to apply for the scholarships is July 15. Applications are available online at www.visitcarlsbad.com.
For more information, call (760) 434-6093 or write to the Carlsbad Convention and Visitors Bureau, Attn: Scholarship Application, 400 Carlsbad Village Drive, Carlsbad, CA, 92008.