Scholarship Foundation

Record Number of Caribbean Nationals Receive 2022 Tourism Scholarships From Regional Charity

SOUTH ORANGE, New Jersey (2 August 2022) – The collective dreams of a record number of Caribbean students who are pursuing further education in tourism and related subjects are closer to becoming a reality with financial support from the region’s premier tourism education charity.

Twelve applicants from ten Caribbean countries have been offered scholarships and study grants from the CTO Scholarship Foundation for the 2022/23 academic year, after new donors joined existing sponsors in responding to the foundation’s plea for funding.

“We are extremely heartened by the commitment of our donors and sponsors to the development of the Caribbean’s tourism human resources and by extension the region’s tourism and hospitality sector,” says Jacqueline Johnson, the chairman of the CTO Scholarship Foundation board. “To step forward as they’ve done in these difficult times underlines their dedication to investing in the Caribbean’s future.”

After awarding just two scholarships last year due to a lack of funding, the foundation celebrated a number of firsts this year. For the first time ever, Blue Group Media, a Miami-based independent advertising sales company that represents national and global media brands, has come on board as a sponsor and is funding two scholarships. In addition, through the fundraising efforts of Jonathan Morgan, the son of the late Bonita Morgan, the former Caribbean Tourism Organization human resources director, three students will receive funding through the Bonita Morgan Memorial Scholarship.

It’s the first time since this scholarship was introduced in 2019 that the foundation is awarding more than one such scholarship. Among the three recipients is Mykerline Stéphane Brice of Haiti, who will pursue an advanced diploma in hospitality and tourism management cooperation at the  Toronto School of Management in Canada. Brice is the first Haitian ever to apply for, or granted a scholarship in the foundation’s 25-year history.

“More than a scholarship, I consider it a demonstration of trust in my career development in the tourism field,” said Brice, who plans to keep working on meaningful tourism projects in her home country and contribute to the development of Caribbean tourism.

The following are the scholarship and grant recipients and their areas of study:

Study Grant 
Sharissa Lightbourne – Turks & Caicos Islands – Analytics Certificate Programme, Management Concepts, Atlanta, GA
Quinneka Smith – The Bahamas – Food and Beverage Management, Conegosta College, Canada
Roshane Smith – Jamaica – Flight Instruction/Pilot Training – Aeronautical School of the West Indies Ltd., Jamaica

Bonita Morgan Memorial Scholarship  
Keisha Alexander – Grenada – Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management, University of the Commonwealth Caribbean, Jamaica
Mykerline J. Stephane Brice – Haiti – Advanced Diploma in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Toronto School of Management, Canada
Adeline Raphael – Martinique – Disaster Risk Management, Florida International University, USA

Arley Sobers Memorial Scholarship     
Brent Piper – Trinidad & Tobago – BSc., Computer Science, Howard University, USA

Audrey Palmer Hawks Memorial Scholarship   
Nesa Constantine Beaubrun – Saint Lucia – Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing, Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK
Tiffany Mohanlal – Trinidad & Tobago – MSc, Tourism Development and Management, UWI, Trinidad & Tobago

Thomas Greenan Scholarship
Koby Samuel – Antigua & Barbuda – Hospitality Management and Culinary, Monroe College, USA

Blue Group Media Scholarship 
Alexandra Dupigny – Dominica – BSc, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Dominica
Antonia Pierre-Hector – Dominica -BSc, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Dominica

About the CTO Foundation

The CTO Foundation is a 501 (C)(3) entity established in 1997 with the aim of training and developing future leaders for the Caribbean tourism industry by funding studies in tourism and tourism-related subjects, hospitality and language. Since its inception, the foundation has raised over US$1 million in scholarship funds and has provided over 280 grants and scholarships. For more information on the Foundation visit: CTO Foundation

CTO Scholarship Foundation to Fund Studies in Cybersecurity and Data Science

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (24 March 2022) – With real-time data increasingly being employed as a strategic asset for decision-makers in the travel and tourism industry, data science is becoming critical to researchers seeking to better understand and interpret information. At the same time, due to the large and valuable quantities of customer data gathered by tourism companies, the industry has become an attractive target for hackers and cybercriminals, making it essential for those involved in the sector to protect themselves and their customers against cyberattacks.

It’s in this context that the CTO Scholarship Foundation, the scholarship programme of the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), has added cybersecurity and data science to the areas of study which it will fund this year. The foundation is also offering scholarships for Caribbean nationals seeking to enhance their skills in brand management and information technology, bringing to four, the number of new subjects of study which the charity will support.

The foundation is this year offering four scholarships of between US$3000 and US$5000, including the Audrey Palmer Hawks Memorial Scholarship (US$5000), Arley Sobers and Bonita Morgan memorial scholarships (both US$3000) and the Thomas J. Greenan scholarship (US$5000), which was introduced for the first time last year to provide financial support to Caribbean nationals pursuing qualification in agro/gastronomy-related subjects, community-based or sustainable tourism. Study grants of up to US$2000 are also being offered to Caribbean nationals seeking to improve their skills in any tourism-related field of study that will enhance the development of a sustainable tourism industry and boost service excellence in the region.

For further information about the scholarships, including criteria for qualification and how to apply, please visit http://ctofoundation.org/apply. Applications are currently being accepted and the deadline for submitting entries is Friday, 13 May 2022 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. All applications must be submitted online at https://1.shortstack.com/vXt2ZJ. Applications will not be accepted via mail, email or fax.

The foundation selects individuals who demonstrate high levels of achievement and leadership both within and outside the classroom and who express a strong interest in making a positive contribution to Caribbean tourism.

About CTO Scholarship Foundation

The CTO Scholarship Foundation is a 501 (C)(3) entity established in 1997 with the aim of training and developing future leaders for the Caribbean tourism industry by funding studies in tourism and tourism-related subjects, hospitality and language. The objective is to ensure that the brightest and the best are attracted to careers in the sector or in areas that impact tourism, thereby helping to build a Caribbean tourism industry that is globally competitive and sustainable. Since its inception, the foundation has raised over US$1 million in scholarship funds and has provided over 280 grants and scholarships.

Barbadian Certified Landscape Ecologist Awarded First-Ever Thomas J. Greenan Scholarship

NEW YORK, NY (21 July 2021) – A Barbadian certified landscape ecologist with a passion for promoting a sustainable environment for all living species is the recipient of the first-ever Caribbean Tourism Organization Scholarship Foundation’s Thomas J. Greenan Scholarship introduced this year for studies in agro/gastronomy-related subjects.

Twenty-two-year-old Ramon Robinson will pursue studies in applied horticulture- landscape operations and management at the Houston Community College in the United States.

It is very difficult in this world to carve out a career path for yourself and I am not exempt from any of these challenges, so one can imagine what this help means to me to be able to go on and begin my studies in the field of geology so I can have a chance to positively impact and make great changes in the world of sustainable tourism and agriculture,” said Robinson after being advised that he was successful. “This grant will enable me to comfortably begin my studies and knowing that I have crossed one hurdle has truly removed a weight from my shoulders and I feel motivated now more than ever to give my best as I continue my academic journey.”

The US$5,000 scholarship includes an internship at Adya Global, an organisation committed to sharing the beauty of the world with all, and in ways that honour and respect the land and people who inhabit it. Adya, co-founded by Thomas J. Greenan, works to create sustainable and equitable relationships with its partners across the globe that are community-based and focused on agro and gastro production capabilities.

Robinson was selected after a rigorous selection process, which included interviews with the applicants.

“We are thrilled that the first Thomas J. Greenan Scholarship will go to Ramon, knowing he will be able to take his knowledge and skills back home, playing his part towards ecological sustainability of the tourism sector,” said Nalini Tiwari Greenan, Thomas’ partner and co-founder of Adya Global. “As we engaged with a number of worthy recipients during the application process, we are reminded of how much work is left to be done. There are so many young people who want to do their part to make their corner of the Caribbean more just in a number of ways; their determination to do so is inspiring and should move all of us to step up our part in this work.”

The foundation has also granted its Delta Air Lines scholarship to Brandon Balbosia of Trinidad and Tobago, 35, who has been dreaming of becoming a commercial airline pilot since he was ten years old.

“Delta is proud to partner with the Caribbean Tourism Organization to support the dreams of future aviators,” said Luciano Macagno, Delta’s managing director for Latin America, the Caribbean and South Florida. “We congratulate Brandon Balbosia on being awarded the Delta Air Lines scholarship and wish him all the best as he continues his aviation studies.”

Balbosia will pursue an eight-month instrument rating course at Briko Air Services Ltd in his native Trinidad.

“For many years I have been pursuing the goal of becoming a commercial pilot, however, I have not been able to afford to meet the cost. This scholarship will allow me to achieve my instrument rating, which is a very major step in becoming a commercial pilot. It will definitely give me the foundation I need in terms of financing the training so that I can focus more on the rigorous studies and training,” said Balbosia.

In addition to Adya Global and Delta Air Lines, the foundation has also received support from Royal Caribbean International and a number of individuals who have contributed via its recently launched GoFundMe page https://gofund.me/6df65df4, which is part of a fundraising drive to fund additional scholarships and study grants for Caribbean nationals.

CTO Scholarship Foundation Awards Five Caribbean Students for 2020/2021

NEW YORK, NY (August 10, 2020) — The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Scholarship Foundation is awarding two scholarships and three study grants for 2020/21 despite the fundraising challenges that the organisation has endured during the COVID-19 crisis. The five students receiving funds will be studying tourism and hospitality management as well as culinary arts at universities in the U.S., the Caribbean and Ireland.

“While we always want to do more than we have the funds for, we are proud to be able to help these five students further their tourism education and return to the Caribbean as future leaders in tourism,” said Jacqueline Johnson, CTO Foundation chairman and president of the Global Bridal Group.

The main aim of the CTO Foundation is to provide opportunities for Caribbean nationals to pursue studies in the areas of tourism, hospitality, language training and other tourism-related disciplines. The foundation selects individuals who demonstrate high levels of achievement and leadership both within and outside the classroom and who express a strong interest in making a positive contribution to Caribbean tourism.

2020 Scholarships and Grants

This year scholarships and grants went to the following Caribbean students:

• Antonia Pierre, Dominica, received the Bonita Morgan Scholarship to study tourism management at the University of the West Indies.
• Allyson Jno Baptiste, Dominica, was awarded the Audrey Palmer Hawks Scholarship to study hospitality management at Monroe College in New York.  She will begin her studies online.
• Jenneil Gardener, Jamaica, will get a study grant for a programme in tourism management at the University of the West Indies.
• Venessa Richardson, Saint Lucia, gets a study grant for courses in hospitality management at Monroe College in Saint Lucia.
• Chelsea Esquivel, Belize, will get a study grant for her studies in culinary and gastronomic sciences at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology in Galway, Ireland.

The CTO Foundation was established in 1997 as a not-for-profit corporation, registered in the State of New York, and formed exclusively for charitable and educational purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Led by a volunteer board of directors, the foundation’s first set of scholarships and study grants were awarded in 1998.

Since 1998 the CTO Foundation has provided 117 major scholarships and 178 study grants to deserving Caribbean nationals, amounting to over US$1 million. Over the years, major foundation sponsors have included American Express, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Interval International, JetBlue, Royal Caribbean International, The Travel Agent Magazine, LIAT, Architectural Digest, CTO chapters worldwide and numerous allied members.

“The CTO Foundation wishes to thank everyone who submitted applications for the 2020 scholarships and grants and encourages those that were not fortunate enough to get a scholarship or grant this year to re-apply next year,” said Johnson.

For more information visit the CTO Foundation website at: http://ctofoundation.org/