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MIA+BSI Offers Two Scholarship Opportunities for the Natural Stone Industry

Words: Mia AllenMIA+BSI: The Natural Stone Institute is pleased to announce that two scholarships are available this year for individuals pursuing a career in the natural stone industry–the Natural Stone Scholarship and the Women in Stone Empowerment Scholarship.

The Natural Stone Scholarship will provide a trip to TISE 2018, where the winner will gain valuable technical and practical knowledge regarding the stone industry and will meet and network with leading stone professionals. The ideal candidate will be a fabricator, installer, or administrative apprentice with fewer than five years’ experience in the natural stone industry and at least six months experience working with an MIA+BSI member company.

The winner of the 2016 Natural Stone Scholarship, Jan Ligas (Wilkstone), commented: “Winning the Natural Stone Scholarship was a great experience. It helped me realize how big the stone industry in the United States is. The classes at TISE taught me specific new information in regards to the trade I work in. I met wonderful people there and I learned that consistency and patience can help me become successful in this business.” The deadline to apply for the 2017 Natural Stone Scholarship is Friday, July 14.

The Women in Stone Empowerment Scholarship provides a trip to a 2018 stone industry event: TISE, Coverings, or the MIA+BSI Study Tour. The winner will be given the opportunity to gain valuable technical and practical knowledge to deepen her commitment to a career in the stone industry and explore her potential for leadership. The winner will also shadow industry professionals within different sectors of the stone industry. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of two years of experience, be currently employed by an MIA+BSI member company, and must be a first-time attendee of the chosen event.

The winner of the 2016 Women in Stone Empowerment Scholarship, Jessica Lussier (Granit Design), said: “This scholarship, to say the least, changed not only the path of my career but also my personal life on many levels. It helped put me on a professional map at a very young age–that would have taken years to reach without this opportunity. Every ‘go-getter’ woman in this industry deserves this chance, and should apply.” The deadline to apply for the 2017 Women in Stone Empowerment Scholarship is Friday, August 4.

To learn more about these scholarships and other MIA+BSI Industry Recognition Awards, please visit www.naturalstoneinstitute.org/awards.
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