This holiday season, celebrate the Season of Giving with the FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Join us for 12 days of inspiring words from students and alumni whose lives have been transformed by the opportunities made possible through your generosity.
Your support provides more than resources—it fuels dreams, empowers success, and creates lasting legacies. This season, make a meaningful impact by giving a gift to support academic programs, scholarships, student success, and more.
Follow along and stay connected by following us on Instagram at @fiuhospitality. Together, we can continue changing lives. Thank you for making a difference!
Dean’s Excellence Fund
"The Chaplin School has provided me with so many opportunities including competing in competitions that have led me to travel to New York and serve a cocktail that I created on campus to serve at the U.S. Open. Transferring to FIU has been one of the best decisions I made—there are so many experiences and opportunities available at my fingertips."
—Aanchal Khemlani '25
"My time at FIU Hospitality has been transformative, with travel opportunities and industry connections that foster professional growth. The classes I have taken that connect students with industry leaders have enhanced my learning experience. With incredible faculty, hands-on training, and invaluable exposure, I’m grateful for these experiences and excited for future opportunities!"
—Sanai Salomon ’26
"I love working at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management because we have the most passionate faculty and staff that I love working with, teaching the most awesome students on the planet, and giving them a great experience in our classes, study abroad programs, and student clubs."
—John Noble Masi '88, MS '91
Hospitality Scholarships
"The Chaplin School has offered me unique, experiential, and educational activities - from PODs, SOBEWFF®, and events with the Bacardi Center of Excellence, that have thoroughly prepared me for the beverage industry. Without scholarships and these experiences, I wouldn't have gained the real-world knowledge necessary to succeed in this field."
—Isabella Perez '25
"My scholarship has enabled me to pursue valuable licenses and certifications, including my real estate license, which will advance my career in hospitality real estate. It has also provided me the opportunity to attend prestigious conferences such as CHRIS and HOLA, where I’ve gained insights, built connections and made a lasting impact that landed me a scholarship."
—Marc Jerome '25
"The Coastal Bounty Scholarship Experience where I explored the farm-to-table concept completely shifted how I see my career path and future. I’ve learned so much about what I want from a job and life in general. I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times, but life should be about the journey, not the destination."
—Corgan Dehoog ‘24
Alumni Student Impact Fund
"The Chaplin School has given me so much towards my life; It is where I started to hone my skills for the hospitality industry. FIU is where my lifelong friendships started, where professors took me under their wings and still to this day are an unwavering support for my career. I can only hope that my contributions offer students a similar experience."
—Alex Kuk ’04, MS ’10
"My time at the Chaplin School was instrumental in shaping my career and personal growth. Volunteering for SOBEWFF® ignited my passion for hospitality and event planning. As a proud alumna, it’s critical for me to pay it forward for the next generation of hospitality leaders by helping them gain hands-on experiences and connecting them with industry professionals."
—Marla Oliu MS '13
"Thinking back, I know that my education and experiences at FIU Hospitality played a great role in my current success. Yet success is earned, not given. This is why now being in a position to give back financially I decided to create the Alumni Board Impact Fund. It is my way of being able to give back to all those paving their way forward through their education to start their own careers."
—Javier Nolla '14, MS '20
Rocco M. Angelo Legacy in Leadership Scholarship
"When distinguished alumnus Burt Cabañas announced the establishment of the Rocco M. Angelo Legacy in Leadership Fund, I was deeply overwhelmed and humbled. This scholarship supports student development through travel in the field I am passionate about—hotel real estate development and hotel operations. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the alumni and friends who generously contributed to this fund."
—Rocco M. Angelo
"My experience with the Rocco Angelo's Scholarship was profoundand transformational. I was able to learn more about myself, the industry, and connect with wonderful people I would never have had the good fortune to meet. If there was one gift I could share with the world, it would be for them to experience ALIS and CHICOS conference made possible by Rocco's Scholarship."
—Shermon Abrams '19, MS '25
"Attending the Chaplin School has been an incredible experience, offering unmatched opportunities for growth and learning in my field. Through the scholarship, I had the privilege of attending the Lodging Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, where I was able to build meaningful connections and gain exposure to industry leaders."
—Simone Palmer-Neil '25