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2025 Overview
The Mike Dimond Student Career Success Grant is designed to support and enhance the development opportunities available to hospitality students interested in careers in commercial strategy. Mike Dimond was widely recognized as one of the top hotel marketing executives in the United States, serving in top positions, including Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. He is a member of the HSMAI Hall of Fame and honored as one of “The 25 Most Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality & Travel.”
Grant Components
Two Career Success Grants will be awarded to deserving hospitality students who are enrolled in a degree-seeking hospitality program. The Grant package includes:
- $2,000 grant awarded to support the recipient’s academic development.
- Free registration to one HSMAI Conference.
- Recipient will be paired with an industry leader for a one-year mentorship.
Application Requirements
- Applicants must be enrolled in in a degree-seeking hospitality program,
- Completed application form (below), including resume, and a written statement.
- Deadline, May 7, 2025
Selection
Criteria: HSMAI Foundation Board Members will review and rate the submissions and consider the following:
- Proven interest in a career in hospitality sales, marketing, revenue management, or distribution.
- Industry work experience.
- Other submission materials.
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Bailey Jacque expects to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Stout in May 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in real estate property
management and hotel, restaurant, and tourism management. She has been on the dean’s list every year since 2021 and won the Outstanding Student Leader of the Year award. Bailey has interned at Weidner Apartment Homes and IDeaS Revenue Solutions and worked as a front desk attendant at Fairbridge Inn & Suites. She is co-president of the HSMAI UW Stout student chapter, a student ambassador, and a student board representative.
Grace Rucker expects to graduate from the University of Wisconsin Stout in December with a double major in hotel, restaurant, and tourism management and real estate property management. She is co-president of the HSMAI UW Stout student chapter. Grace has worked at Disney’s Magic Kingdom, in the dean’s office at the university, and at Catering By Design. She is a certified American Red Cross lifeguard and water safety instructor. She volunteered at HSMAI’s Adrian Awards in New York in 2024, gaining insights into successful advertising campaigns and networking with industry leaders. She looks forward to a long and successful career in hospitality.
Daniel Ruppenicker expects to graduate from Virginia Tech in the spring of 2025 with a Bachelor of Science in business, hospitality, and tourism management and marketing management. He has interned as a banquet captain and sales intern at Water’s Edge Resort and Spa in Connecticut. At Virginia Tech, he directed operations for hospitality career fairs and led event operations for the advisory board dinner. He serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board of Students and the Student Senate, and he is working to start an HSMAI student chapter. Daniel, an Eagle Scout, has been hired as a media intern at Hilton Corporate. His long-term goals include law school and becoming a hospitality lawyer.
Tre Wilke expects to receive his associate of science degree from San Diego Mesa College in May 2025. He works full time as a sales manager at Evans Hotels in San Diego and has experience as a sales coordinator, meetings concierge, and front desk supervisor. Tre aspires to become a director of sales and eventually own a hotel and resort. He is a board member of HSMAI’s San Diego chapter and a member of HSMAI’s Rising Sales Leaders Council.
