Hanover Park woman receives hospitality scholarship

CHICAGO -- The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (IHLAEF) today announced the recipients of its scholarships for the 2016-2017 academic year.

Jasmine Dinkins of Hanover Park was 1 of 23 recipients to receive scholarships this year. She is the recipient of the KeyLime Cove Scholarship. Dinkins is a freshman at Johnson & Wales University studying Culinary Arts and Food & Beverage Services. She hopes to hone her skills in school and the hospitality industry until she is ready to open her own restaurant in a high-end hotel. Dinkins was awarded this scholarship as a result of her extraordinary enthusiasm in her educational and professional life and her passion for the hospitality industry.

Designed to ignite confidence in Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA) member employees and hospitality management students, IHLAEF is helping support the next generation of hospitality leaders and equipping them with resources to help advance their education.

For the 2016-2017 academic year, IHLAEF awarded almost $48,000 in scholarships to 23 students at 16 colleges in Illinois and across the country. The 23 students received scholarships based on outstanding academic achievement, a strong portfolio and a commitment to pursuing a career in the hospitality industry.

The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Foundation (IHLAEF) is the not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) educational arm of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association (IHLA). Incorporated in 1992, IHLAEF has been a primary source of scholarship assistance for deserving Illinois college students pursuing hospitality management degrees throughout the country, awarding over $350,000 since its inception.

The foundation focuses on three major initiatives: educational programming, high school to career curriculum and workforce development, and scholarships.