Montana State sophomore Mariah Penner wins scholarship for hospitality students

BOZEMAN - Montana State University sophomore Mariah Penner remembers the shock that followed the phone call. When Penner learned she had won the $7,500 scholarship for hospitality students she had applied for months earlier, she couldn't believe it. She would get to attend an industry gathering in Seattle and make important connections for her future career, and would also gain the freedom to focus on her studies and step back from the multiple jobs she'd been working to help pay for her education.

Penner, from San Luis Obispo, California, and a student in the business hospitality program in the Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship, won the scholarship from the NEWH Northwest Chapter. The regional hospitality chapter hosts an annual gala each year to honor the scholarship recipients.

In October, Penner attended the event with David Pearlman, director of MSU's business hospitality program. He told his students about the opportunity during an Introduction to Hospitality Class, which Penner took with him last spring.

Originally set on an environmental science major, Penner switched to a business hospitality major and international business minor after realizing her hobbies, passions and interests better aligned with a career in hospitality. Her aunt's career involved planning corporate events, which appealed to her. Penner hopes to pursue corporate or sports event planning or employment at luxury hotels. She helped start the Student Hospitality Association at MSU last year.

"Mariah brings exceptional energy to the classroom and demonstrates standout leadership as the vice president of the Student Hospitality Association," Pearlman said. "Her dedication to her education and the hospitality field makes her incredibly deserving of this scholarship. Attending the gala in Seattle provided Mariah with a valuable opportunity to broaden her career horizons. Networking with such accomplished industry leaders opens doors and significantly expands her professional network."

Penner agreed.

"It was absolutely amazing. I got to meet a whole bunch of people from the industry," she said, noting her conversation with a woman who helped with decoration and interior design for hotels. "I got to see a different side of the hospitality world that I had never fully considered, which kind of opened my eyes up to all the different possibilities.

"Every person I talked to, they gave me little tips here and there, like 'this helped me so much in my career; it might help you too,'" she added. "They basically told me to always put yourself out there. Always be trying to make those connections, even if you don't think someone is in your industry or your job specifically relates to this person."

Another tip she heard repeatedly for those pursuing a career in hospitality is to spend a year or two in Las Vegas. Penner said many people told her about the corporate events, conferences and hotels in the hospitality-centric city that will set her up for success in future roles.

In high school and during school breaks, Penner has assisted tourists at the Hearst Castle, a luxury-mansion-turned-museum in her hometown. That job gave her a glimpse into the world of hospitality and experience in a customer-facing role. While at MSU, she has also worked at the Lark Hotel on downtown Bozeman's Main Street, as well as several restaurants.

Penner's remaining free time is spent planning activities for the Student Hospitality Association at MSU. While the chapter is still growing, she helps coordinate guest speakers and field trips to local businesses and hotels, with the goal of exposing peers to many opportunities and helping them narrow down which area of hospitality they'd want to explore.

"Obviously, some people want to do events, some want to do restaurants, some want to do hotels, some want to do something that's completely different," she said. "So, I hope this club helps students be able to narrow their focus and then give them more real-world insight into it."

The opportunities in the hospitality world are indeed expansive - MSU also offers another degree option in sustainable hospitality, housed in MSU's College of Education, Health and Human Development, for those interested in roles focused on sustainability and food systems.

The business degree option is now in its second year, with 78 College of Business students enrolled. Pearlman came to MSU from Arkansas State University, where he developed and led its hospitality program.

Pearlman said he hopes to establish a continued relationship between MSU's business hospitality program and NEWH, similar to the relationship he forged with the organization in Arkansas.

"For me, the greatest value of attending was the opportunity to thank NEWH in person for their steadfast support," he said of the gala. "More importantly, it allowed me to lay the groundwork for an annual scholarship pipeline for our MSU students. Securing these enduring relationships builds stronger industry connections across greater geographies, ensuring continuous opportunities for our program year after year."