Smart Serve Ontario Six-Figure Gift Empowers Hospitality and Tourism Students at Algonquin College

Three new funds are now available for hospitality and tourism students at Algonquin College.

In a significant move to bolster the future of Ontario’s hospitality and tourism sectors, Smart Serve Ontario has pledged $136,640 to establish scholarships and bursaries for students at Algonquin College. The funding, spread over five years, aims to address the growing financial challenges faced by students while fostering long-term career development in the hospitality and culinary fields.

This partnership between Algonquin College and Smart Serve Ontario is not new, but this enhanced support reflects the shared commitment of both organizations to address the workforce needs of these industries. With fewer students choosing careers in hospitality and tourism, Smart Serve Ontario sees this as an opportunity to create lasting impact through education. This pledge brings Smart Serve Ontario’s total giving to Algonquin College to more than $215,000.

Three new scholarships and bursaries

“At Smart Serve Ontario, we’ve always understood the value of supporting education in hospitality and tourism,” said Richard Anderson, Executive Director of Smart Serve Ontario. “With the challenges faced by the industry, it’s critical that we invest in the future workforce. We hope these scholarships and bursaries will encourage more students to consider hospitality and tourism as rewarding, long-term career paths.”

The donation establishes three distinct funds that will directly support students pursuing education in hospitality, tourism, and culinary management:

The Smart Serve Ontario hospitality and tourism scholarship

Awarded $6,000 annually to students in key hospitality and tourism programs such as Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Bachelor of Event, Sport, and Entertainment Management, and Bachelor of Culinary Arts and Food Science.

The Smart Serve Ontario culinary management scholarship

Offers $2,000 annually to three second-year students enrolled in the Culinary Management diploma program.

The Smart Serve Ontario hospitality and tourism bursary

Provides $1,109 annually to three students in any hospitality and tourism program, with preference given to students enrolled in the Bartending program.

Hospitality and tourism sector facing staffing shortages

Algonquin College president and CEO Claude Brulé expressed his gratitude for the ongoing partnership with Smart Serve Ontario and the impact it will have on students stating,

“We are incredibly grateful for Smart Serve Ontario’s continued generosity and support for our hospitality and tourism programs. This significant contribution will help ensure that our students have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in their education and future careers. At Algonquin College, we are committed to transforming the hopes and dreams of our learners into lifelong success, and partnerships like this are integral to achieving that mission.”

This pledge is timely, as the hospitality and tourism sectors have been particularly impacted in recent years, facing staffing shortages and a shift in how students view these career paths. With Smart Serve Ontario’s financial support, Algonquin College hopes to attract more students to these industries, helping to rejuvenate a vital part of the provincial economy. The first scholarships and bursaries will be awarded this year, with annual awards continuing through to 2028. By easing the financial burden of students and providing a clear path toward meaningful careers, the partnership between Smart Serve Ontario and Algonquin College is poised to drive real change within the industry.