New Rising Star Scholarship aims to help hospitality industry professionals elevate their skills

Hospitality and tourism professionals in the Greater Madison region can now access new continuing education and professional development opportunities through the Rising Star Scholarship, a partnership between Madison College, Madison College Foundation, Destination Madison and the Destination Madison Foundation.

The inaugural scholarship recipients were announced during the Destination Madison Awards ceremony on June 26. The scholarship was awarded to the five finalists of the annual Rising Star Award - Alexander Burger, Anna Garcia-Menocal, Katie Hinze, Shahayra Majumder and Mary Wagenhoffer.

The scholarship provides up to $1,000 toward approved continuing education and professional development courses at Madison College. Recipients can use the funds for leadership training, management development, industry certifications and other skill-building opportunities designed to support career advancement within the hospitality and tourism sector.

"Hospitality is about people. It is about creating moments of connection, belonging, and care that leave lasting impressions on guests and visitors," said Dr. Lynea LaVoy, Department Chair, Program Director and Faculty member in Hospitality Management at Madison College. "Through our partnership with Destination Madison, we are investing in the professionals behind those experiences by providing opportunities to build new skills, develop as leaders and continue advancing in meaningful and rewarding careers within our industry. Hospitality professionals gain highly transferable skills, including communication, critical thinking, collaboration and adaptability, that prepare them to lead not only in tourism, but in any field where relationships, innovation and service excellence matter."

Hospitality and tourism professionals help create the experiences that attract more than 9.6 million visitors annually to the Greater Madison region, generating $1.6 billion in direct visitor spending and supporting more than 19,500 hospitality jobs throughout the community.

“Working in hospitality can be more than a career stop – it can be a long and rewarding career,” said Ellie Westman Chin, president & CEO of Destination Madison. “Providing education and enhancement opportunities for people who are already excelling in hospitality lays the foundation for personal advancement and strengthens our tourism industry.”

Madison College Foundation CEO Bryan Woodhouse says the college is proud to provide funds for area professionals to advance their careers, while also meeting the needs of the local hospitality and tourism industry.

“The hospitality industry is a vital driver of our local economy. Hospitality professionals create the experiences that make the Madison region a welcoming, vibrant, and economically strong destination,” Woodhouse said. “By investing in professionals advancing their careers in hospitality, we strengthen businesses and build the skilled workforce our region depends on.”

Learn more about Madison College Continuing Education and Professional Development opportunities.