MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University senior Alexa Morse was selected as the 2025 recipient of the $5,000 Gibson Hospitality Ventures Scholarship through the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Association Education Foundation.

And this summer, the Tourism and Hospitality Management major from Manchester is gaining hands-on experience through an internship at YMCA of the Rockies recreation resort and conference center in Estes Park, Colorado.

“I enjoy the fun and fast pace. It keeps me busy and I am meeting all types of people,” said Morse, who lives on the YMCA campus in staff housing during her internship. “I’m really grateful for this internship. It’s done a lot of good for me.”

By happenstance, Morse discovered the summerlong internship, where she works in registration at the 860-acre resort located about 90 minutes north of Denver in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. The resort boasts nine lodge buildings and more than 200 cabins with a variety of outdoor recreation for all ages.

“I felt it was a good way to explore my interests more. And what I learned in class is helping me with what I’m doing here at YMCA of the Rockies,” said Morse, an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys interacting with the public.

Morse’s desire to excel in the hospitality industry captured the attention of Yi “Vanessa” Liu, assistant professor in MTSU’s Tourism and Hospitality Management program, or THM, within the Department of Health and Human Performance in the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences.

“In class, she actively participates in discussions. She poses insightful questions that reflect her critical thinking abilities,” said Liu, who nominated Morse for the Gibson scholarship. “Alexa seeks opportunities to support the program and demonstrates a genuine eagerness to learn and gain practical experience.”

This past year, Morse served as the secretary of the newly established Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Planning (HTEP) Club at MTSU and will serve as president for the upcoming academic year.

“Her dedication and organizational skills have played a key role in laying the foundation for the club’s growth and success. In April 2025, she took the lead in organizing a fundraising event for the club, showcasing her leadership skills by effectively managing various roles,” Liu said.

Program ‘focused on the students’

But a career in the hospitality industry was not on Morse’s radar when she enrolled at MTSU. Plans changed when she began working as a receptionist at her hometown recreation center.

“I found out I liked interacting with people and I was good at it,” Morse said.

Taking an academic detour, she explored the THM program at MTSU and felt it would be a way to blend her love of travel and penchant for personal interaction with the public.

“I’m very lucky to be in the Tourism and Hospitality Management program. It’s small and focused on the students and they promote a lot of these opportunities and internships like I have,” said Morse, who is set to graduate in spring 2026 with a bachelor’s degree.

Morse leaned into her communication skills right off the bat and learned how to pair real-world situations with classroom instruction.

“I particularly recall her participation in my THM 4160 Event Risk Management course, where she consistently connected lecture topics to her real-life event experiences,” Liu said. “This not only demonstrated her strong grasp of the subject matter, but also her ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical situations, showcasing both her analytical thinking and professional insight.”

Following graduation, Morse hopes to find her dream job involved in programs and events that promote more sustainable and accessible tourist opportunities.

“Not everybody can access travel opportunities, so I want to find ways people can do this more affordably,” she said.

— Nancy DeGennaro (Nancy.DeGennaro@mtsu.edu)