Lex Fuller, one of the 2023 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival scholarship recipients, is an ambitious and passionate future powerhouse in the hospitality industry. Lex Fuller currently attends Cal Poly Pomona studying Hospitality Management with a specialization in Lodging and Hotel Operations. A San Diego native, Fuller plans to obtain his Bachelor’s and Master of Science in Pomona before returning to his hometown.
The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival scholarship award has allowed Lex to continue to pursue his degree and dreams as a first-generation college student. Fuller is an extremely accomplished individual. As the founder of FlexPlan, Fuller aids in the professional development of individuals through mentorship partnering. In the future, Fuller aims to head his own line of hotels. The scholarship has allowed him to position himself in the right direction on his path to achieving his goals.
Keep reading for the full interview with Lex Fuller, 2023 Scholarship Winner:
How has receiving the Hospitality Scholarship impacted your academic and professional goals so far?
Receiving this scholarship has allowed me to focus on pursuing my dream goals in the hospitality industry rather than worry about the financial burden caused from school. As a first-generation college student, I am very grateful to receive financial support to assist my family with paying for this great opportunity.
Do you plan to give back to the community or support others in the field of hospitality as a scholarship recipient?
This last January I started my first business called FlexPlan mentorship. It is a career development mentorship program that is designed to help people with their resumes, LinkedIns and mock interviews enabling them to have a competitive edge in the job market. Using the skills and knowledge I’ve obtained during my education and time in the hospitality industry, my goal is to help others just like me obtain their goals and dreams. I have also become a student ambassador at The Collins College of Hospitality Management, where I give tours to prospective students looking to go into the hospitality industry, represent the school on a high level at various conferences and events, and participate in outreach programs to various high schools in the area to encourage students to apply to college.
What are your short-term and long-term career aspirations within the hospitality sector, and how does the scholarship align with these goals?
My short-term goals in the industry are to develop the skills I need to pursue a future career in Hotel ownership. To do so, I plan to pursue operational positions in hotels to broaden my range of knowledge. My long-term goal is to eventually start up my very own hotel chain. While this is a big goal, the scholarship has assisted me with positioning myself correctly in order to achieve these goals in the best industry in the world.
Can you share any advice or insights for future applicants who aspire to receive the Hospitality Scholarship and pursue a career in hospitality?
If there is one thing that I have learned in my educational career and industry experience it’s that opportunities are always there, you just have to take an additional step to get to them. That can be something as simple as applying for a scholarship like this one, or even reaching out to industry leaders and hearing their stories. Apply what you have learned and maintain a growth mindset
How do you envision the future of the hospitality industry, and how do you see yourself playing a role in its evolution as a scholarship recipient?
I envision the hospitality industry to continue to grow and thrive in the coming years. As a future leader in the industry, I plan to continue the positive trend of guest experiences and to focus on the true meaning of Hospitality: giving.
