IAEE Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Scholarship

The IAEE DE&I Scholarship was established by IAEE member Rochelle Richardson, CEM. Rochelle is passionate about setting children up for success. “There is a real need for creating opportunities for children who are just one step away from success.” The purpose of the scholarship is to promote and bring visibility to the exhibitions, meetings and business events industry for graduating high school students of diverse backgrounds and from under-served and economically and socially disadvantaged communities in order to create an equal opportunity for the recipient to achieve a two-year or four-year college-level education program. Scholarships are awarded competitively based upon pursuit of a degreed major focusing on exhibition, event, and/or hospitality management. The scholarship includes up to $2,500 in tuition assistance.

Required Information/Documents:

• Proof of combined family income of less than $120,000 (combined parents and student)
• Completed scholarship application (online form)
• High school-issued official transcript (upload)
• Acceptance letter in a full-time undergraduate program at an accredited college, university, junior or technical college with a degreed major focusing on exhibition, event and/or hospitality management. Other majors will not be accepted unless it demonstrated throughout the application documentation that one is entering the exhibition, event, and/or hospitality industry after graduation.
• Essay submission (online form)
• Two letters of recommendation from high school teachers or high school counselor that note this scholarship or a general To Whom It May Concern (upload)

Resume (upload). Must include:

• List your extra-curricular activities, both in and out of school, and the years of participation.
• List positions of leadership you have held, both in and out of school (e.g. Community Groups, Service Organizations, Philanthropy).
• List awards and honors you have received in both academic and extra-curricular activities.
• List work experience (paid or voluntary). Include the job title, the average number of hours worked per week, and the dates of employment.

Questions about this scholarship should be directed to:

Beverly Benbow, M.Sc.
Director of Governance, IAEE