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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, including resume, and a written statement.
- Applications will open in Spring 2026
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.
Reem Alaqili is a fourth-year international student studying Hospitality Management at The Pennsylvania State University. Passionate about sales and marketing in hospitality, she has pursued every opportunity to grow through leadership, internships, and service. She serves as President of the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) and Secretary of Penn State’s HSMAI Collegiate Chapter, where she first stepped into leadership as Public Relations Chair. Reem has completed two internships with Marriott Vacations Worldwide, gaining front desk experience while shadowing sales operations. Determined to succeed in a competitive field, she aspires to build a career in hospitality sales and marketing.
Margaret Thompson recently graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Hospitality Administration with concentrations in both Event Management and Marketing. She is pursuing a master’s at New York University in Global Hospitality Management. HSMAI has already become an impactful part of her hospitality journey, and she looks forward to the ways she will continue to become involved in this organization.
Juliette van der ham is a fourth-year student at Hotel Management School Maastricht, currently starting her final internship in asset management at Wasl Hospitality in Dubai. Juliette joined the HSMAI Europe Student Council in 2024 and was honored to serve as chair before relocating. She also took part in the Young Hospitality Summit, a competition that encourages innovation. She’s always been drawn to the strategic side of hospitality and enjoy contributing to initiatives that foster collaboration and growth. Juliette stays open to learning wherever she goes, curiosity has taken her far already, and it’s something she plans to carry with her as she starts her career.
Libby Worden, from Toronto, Canada, is a fourth-year Hospitality and Tourism Management student at Toronto Metropolitan University and Co-President of the Ted Rogers Sales Club. She recently completed her internship with HVS in Montreal, where she gained hands-on experience in hotel consulting and valuation. Libby has also worked in hotels across Canada and led her sales team to international recognition, including becoming the first Canadian team to win Overall University Champion at the International Collegiate Sales Competition in Florida. Passionate about hospitality, sales, and hotel real estate, she is dedicated to bridging the gap between academia and industry.
