Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – A Stephen F. Austin State University student from Dripping Springs has received the Hyatt Hotel Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students scholarship. Victoria Colla is one of 18 students nationally to receive the $2,000 scholarship.

Colla, a junior majoring in both hospitality and Spanish, currently works at The Fredonia Hotel in Nacogdoches, as well as on campus in the Student Center reservations office. In her “spare time,” she works a third part-time job with another SFA student who operates a local catering business.

Colla is also a member of the Hospitality Administration Society and is vice president of the Human Science Ambassadors.

This scholarship, set up by Hyatt and administered through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation, is offered each year to minority students pursuing a degree in hotel management. This is the first time an SFA student has received the scholarship.

Valerie Hope, Hyatt Dallas/Fort Worth staffing and recruitment manager, visited Nacogdoches recently to present Colla with the scholarship. Hope said Colla was selected for the scholarship because of the leadership skills she demonstrated.

Hyatt Hotel Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students is an endowment fund established in 1988 to honor the best and brightest minority students enrolled in hospitality management programs by providing financial support, Hope said. In 2001 Hyatt made a commitment to the endowment and consequently the fund reached $850,000 at the end of 2006. Hyatt has granted 199 scholarships totaling $398,000.

Dr. Lynda Martin, chair of SFA’s Department of Human Sciences, said SFA is one of only 75 universities in the U.S. that receive scholarships from Hyatt.