Scholarship Overview

Your Gift Matters

The generosity of our dedicated donors is vital to advancing the mission of The School of Hospitality Business: to educate and inspire the next generation of leaders in the hospitality industry. Your support provides more than financial assistance—it creates transformative opportunities for students who demonstrate exceptional talent, ambition, and a commitment to excellence.

Because of your contributions, these future professionals are empowered to pursue their academic and career aspirations with confidence and purpose. The impact of your contributions is profound, and as we look ahead, continued support is essential to sustaining this momentum and ensuring that our students have the resources they need to thrive.

Together, we are shaping the future of hospitality and strengthening the legacy of our school.

Kendra Mitchell

“I am a senior majoring in Hospitality Business and will be graduating in December 2025. Alongside my studies, I serve as the Secretary for the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH), where I help coordinate events and support member engagement. I am also actively working on a summer internship at the Shinola Hotel in Downtown Detroit. As I finish my internship and after I graduate, I hope to work in the hospitality industry managing sales and marketing at luxury hotel properties.

Once again, thank you for your generous support. This scholarship is not only helping me cover the financial costs at Michigan State University, but it is also allowing me to focus more fully on my studies and leadership roles. Your investment in my education is a meaningful encouragement, and it brings me one step closer to achieving my goals of making a positive impact in the hospitality industry and beyond. I am truly grateful for your contribution to my academic and professional journey.”

Eric Kleinfelt

“When I was 8 years old, I asked my family to spend a night at a hotel for my birthday. I did not want toys or games, just a night at the Country Inn and Suites on Creyts Road in Lansing, MI. We swam, ordered food, slept on the pull-out sofa, and made memories I will never forget. I did not know it then, but that experience sparked my passion for hospitality. My goal is to create lifelong memories for guests and pour that same passion into everything I do.

I am pursuing this goal through Michigan State’s hospitality clubs and real-world, firsthand experience. I am active in the Hospitality and Lodging Club and serve as CFO of Les Gourmets, a student-run fine dining event. Professionally, I have worked across a variety of roles and properties to become as well-rounded as possible. I started at the Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center in August 2022 as a custodian, was promoted to student supervisor, and then took a summer job at a luxury guest ranch in Wyoming. When I returned to school, I became a front desk supervisor at Kellogg, helping with scheduling, improving team culture, and covering weekend overnight audit shifts, one of my most formative experiences. I later worked at the front desk at Montage Deer Valley in Utah, where I exceeded service standards, grew professionally, and built strong connections. I have since accepted a return offer for this summer at their ultra-luxury Palmetto Bluff property in South Carolina.

Looking ahead, I aim to become a luxury hotel residence manager. I am drawn to this role because true hospitality is rooted in a deeper, more personal connection. Managing someone’s residence allows me to provide a more tailored and thoughtful service through the deeper connection. I am also excited by the chance to work with residents from around the world. This opportunity will expand my cultural knowledge and global perspective.”