The hands-on experience of working at Benchmark and volunteering for College events isn’t just the icing on the cake; for some students, it’s the whole enchilada.
For many NC Hospitality and Culinary students, whether they are working front- or back-of-house at the on-campus teaching restaurant or lending a hand at a special event, these opportunities are a key ingredient to achieving their dreams.
“The hands-on experience I’m gaining at Benchmark
and through volunteering at events has been
one of the most valuable parts of my education.”
– Kenneth Loria, Supply Chain Management
Benchmark Experience scholarships were awarded to four students for their work during Spring term. Awarded for the first time earlier this year, the scholarship recognizes students in the Culinary, Tourism, and Beverage Studies division who are highly engaged outside the classroom and demonstrate exemplary leadership and teamwork through their work at Benchmark and as volunteers for events and charitable activities.
The latest recipients include two students from the School of Hospitality and Tourism, Kenneth Loria and Vedhant Suri, and two from the School of Culinary Arts, Sunpreet Kaur and Samjana Limbu, who recently completed the Culinary Management program. The four students were selected as the scholarship’s spring-term recipients and were presented with their awards at Benchmark in early September. In April, the scholarship was awarded for the first time to Janapriya Rajagopal, a spring 2025 graduate of Hospitality – Hotel and Restaurant Operations (Co-op).
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- Receiving the Benchmark scholarship was a proud moment for Hospitality student Vedhant Suri. (Supplied photo)
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- Janapriya Rajagopal was the inaugural recipient of the Benchmark Experience Scholarship in April 2025. She stands with Victor Oliveira, Manager of Catering and Special Events, at Benchmark. (Supplied photo)
“These students were selected for their impeccable professionalism, engagement, passion for the industry, leadership, and peer mentoring,” said Victor Oliveira, Manager of Catering and Special Events. “They were really successful during their time at Benchmark, contributing to the department and the industry alike.”
Loria, from St. Catharines, is enrolled in NC’s Supply Chain Management program. He enrolled after working in the hospitality sector in the Philippines and plans to combine his hospitality background with the logistical knowledge he’s gaining to one day work in management at a prestigious hotel.
“This recognition means a lot to me. Not only does it validate the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my studies and practical experiences, but it also provides significant financial support that helps reduce my tuition fees,” said Loria. “It motivates me even more to continue striving for excellence and making the most out of my time at Niagara College.”
For almost three semesters, he has worked as a server at Benchmark and has volunteered for numerous College events, from the Open House and Gala to the FIRST Robotics competition and convocation ceremonies. Loria values the practical experience he’s gaining as he puts classroom lessons into practice, whether it’s managing busy service, working collaboratively at large-scale events, or understanding logistics and planning.
“The hands-on experience I’m gaining at Benchmark and through volunteering at events has been one of the most valuable parts of my education,” Loria. “It has helped me build confidence, improve my communication skills, and better understand the level of professionalism and coordination required in real-world environments.”
He noted that his experiences have given him a deeper understanding of both hospitality and supply chain operation.
“I feel much more prepared to take on leadership roles in the future,” he said. “What I find most rewarding is the sense of purpose and connection, being able to represent Niagara College and contribute to the success of events while growing both personally and professionally.”
Suri, from Niagara Falls and originally from India, is a third-year Honours Bachelor of Business Administration – Hospitality student. He said he hopes to soak up as much experience as he can while working toward his ultimate goal of becoming a finance manager.
During his 14 months working at Benchmark, Suri has gotten a taste of many different roles: server, bartender, host, expediter–bridging the gap between the front-of-house and the kitchen–and more. He has also volunteered at hospitality-related events like Project Brew and Caps, Corks and Forks, as well as College events like Orientation and Open House.
Suri appreciates learning more about food and beverage while putting his knowledge into practice. He also values the opportunities to hone his soft skills.
“After all this experience, I can visualize the things I learn in class in a better way,” said Suri. “The experience made me proactive, improved my problem-solving skills needed in the classroom, and overall made me a better student.”
Having his efforts acknowledged through the scholarship was meaningful to him.
“To receive the scholarship is a proud moment for me, as I feel like I have accomplished something,” he said. “It means the beginning of the growth in my career in Hospitality, where I will keep progressing and innovating in the industry.”
The scholarship is supported by NC’s Student Experience Scholarship Fund, which launched in late 2024.
“Financially supporting students is always top of mind for us here at the College. The financial obligations that students face today continue to get tougher and finding ways to help is important,” says Craig Youdale, Dean of the Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division. “Our division has so many events and community activities, and we want to encourage our students to get involved and enrich their time at Niagara College. We hope this funding will get even more students involved and a part of the amazing opportunities for the students.”
“This fund is such a wonderful addition to the many great awards that we offer at Niagara College,” said Development Officer Emily O’Connor. “Now, we’re able to celebrate the students who contribute to campus life and strive to make Benchmark and NC a positive leader in the community.”
The next recipients are expected to be announced at the end of Fall term.
Support the Student Experience Scholarship Fund
In lieu of leaving a gratuity for service at Benchmark or for a special event hosted by the College’s Culinary, Tourism and Beverage Studies division, guests are encouraged to donate to the Student Experience Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made by scanning a QR code displayed on menus or through the online donation form.
