Alexis Jordan, one of the 2023 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival scholarship recipients, is a driven and ambitious individual making waves in the hospitality industry. Currently serving as the Food and Beverage Manager at Belmont Park in San Diego, Alexis’s journey is marked by her steadfast dedication to her core values and her determination to achieve her long-term goals. A proud alumna of UC San Diego, she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management at San Diego State University.
The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival scholarship award has afforded Alexis Jordan the invaluable opportunity to delve deeper into courses tailored to her passion for leadership within the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors. Amidst her demanding schedule and substantial responsibilities, Alexis remains anchored by her intrinsic values. Guided by a profound sense of compassion for both herself and others, she envisions herself as a leader who embodies kindness, spreads joy, and ignites inspiration in those around her. Alexis credits her mentors, Renato De Luca and Allen Deleon with being her inspiration in pursuing her master’s degree and fulfilling her leadership aspirations.
Alexis Jordan’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring professionals in the hospitality field, emphasizing the importance of seizing opportunities, and continually striving for personal and professional growth. As she forges ahead on her leadership journey, Alexis remains dedicated to uplifting others and achieving success in the dynamic world of hospitality.
Keep reading for the full interview with Alexis Jordon, 2023 Scholarship Winner.
Can you share any specific experiences or projects that the scholarship has enabled you to pursue within the hospitality field?
The scholarship has helped me fund my master’s degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from SDSU! The classes that the scholarship funds are all about my leadership journey in our industry. I’ve created and continue to improve my leadership development plan through this program.
Are there any particular challenges or obstacles you’ve faced in your journey, and how has the scholarship helped you overcome them?
The biggest challenge in my leadership/educational journey has been figuring out what kind of graduate degree I wanted to pursue and if I would continue my career in hospitality. Through my current job, I learned how much more there is to hospitality and tourism besides hotels and food. I am so grateful for my experience at Belmont Park because it’s where I found my career! Receiving this scholarship has also helped me feel more connected to the industry.
Can you share any advice or insights for future applicants who aspire to receive the Hospitality Scholarship and pursue a career in hospitality?
Apply, apply, apply! I was so nervous to apply because I did not feel I had been in this industry long enough. Since applying, I have learned that the hospitality industry is so diverse. It’s not like any other industry because it’s genuine and evolving. In our industry, we can do so much: marketing, finance, operations, and much more. There is a lot of growth available in the hospitality industry, and opportunities are everywhere!
Have there been any mentors or role models in the hospitality industry who have inspired you, and how do you see yourself following in their footsteps?
My Food and Beverage Director, Renato De Luca, and my Lead Food and Beverage Manager, Allen Deleon, have impacted my journey as mentors since I met them. They both inspire me through their leadership styles and experiences. Renato helped me identify which master’s program to pursue and start my leadership journey at Belmont Park. Allen challenges me to be the best leader I can be everyday. I hope to follow in their footsteps and do the same for others throughout my career.
Follow Alexis Jordan on LinkedIn.
