We’re hearing about so many great things people are doing to raise and give money to the relief efforts in Haiti, even on college campuses. It’s a tragic situation and major organizations like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are among those giving millions to the effort.

It makes you stop and take notice of all the foundation is doing beyond aiding a world tragedy. Did you know that foundation also is donating billions of dollars to help students attend and graduate from college, particularly community colleges? It’s already given nearly $4 billion in grants and scholarships since 2000.

The foundation a couple of years ago decided to award hundreds of millions of dollars through scholarships and other efforts so low-income young adults in particularly can attend college, and much of these funds are going to community colleges.

And just in December, the Seattle-based foundation gave $12.9 million in technology-related grants to improve the way education is delivered on the community college level and increase graduation rates. Schools that have received those grants include LaGuardia Community College in New York, and Carnegie Mellon University’s Community College Open Learning Initiative (CC-OLI).

It hopes to change the statistic that found three-quarters of first-time community college students do not graduate within three years. Why? Factors include school and family responsibilities, being unprepared for college-level work, and the cost of the courses and degrees.

Seeing the Gates Foundation’s efforts, even if you aren’t directly receiving the money, serves as a great reminder that people, even strangers, care that you get a degree. Now that’s an incentive!

-Lori Johnston

It’s Monday, which means it’s time for another installment of CollegeSurfing’s blog series, From Laid Off to Learning. This week, we profile a woman making the transition from Super Mom to Super Student. For other inspiring stories, be sure to subscribe to our blog.

Sometimes life can get in the way of learning, like it did for Stephanie Hale of Chelsea, Michigan. After high school, Hale started her degree at community college, but she then got married and eventually left school to raise a family. She later started a career in sales and marketing, and between growing family obligations and the good fortune of maintaining gainful employment, Hale’s educational plans slipped off her radar.

Hale enrolled in Cleary University in 2005, but it once again proved to be a false start. It wasn’t until she was laid off from a sales and marketing position in February of 2009 that she decided enough was enough: she was going back to school and completing her degree.

“It was just determination,” Hale, 42, says of the thought process behind the decision to make her realize her educational goals. She views a college degree as a key component not only in her career, but in what was becoming an increasingly difficult economy.

“I want to be a contender,” Hale says.

So Hale went back to Cleary in order to seal the deal on her bachelor’s degree in business administration, enrolling first with distance learning classes, then traditional ones on campus. While she thinks that online classes are convenient, Hale has an outgoing and verbal personality, which she credits to her experience in sales, that lends itself better to classroom learning.

Cleary University is not only a good choice for Hale’s business studies, but also in getting her reacquainted to the classroom. “Cleary does a great job of helping anyone understand how to be a college student,” she says, referring to the difficulty that traditional students sometimes have adjusting to college, especially those returning to campus after 20+ years. Cleary offers a class called Academic Planning and Preparation that is a requirement for all students. An organizational class at its core, the course also teaches life skills that help students maintain a healthy balance between life and study, and it’s been invaluable for Hale.

Returning to college is a hard decision to make, and it’s one that is made even harder when a family is involved. Luckily for Hale, three of her children were grown up and out of the house, but her 8-year-old son was still very much at home. When she broke the news about going back to school, he hesitated only slightly before asking, “Oh, what grade?” Now, Hale says that they are able to do their homework together, although her young son often boasts that he can finish his homework a lot more quickly than she can finish hers.

Hale says that while every personality profile test she has ever taken says that she should have a career in sales, she admits that she also likes the prospect of employee training. She, like many other teachers, enjoys the “aha moment” that occurs when students understand the very concept that the teacher is trying to convey.

Of course, there are many sales and marketing opportunities available in the education industry, so Hale has many career options after graduating from Cleary. One thing is for certain, though—her future job will be working for what she considers to be a “noble cause.” She explains that her main purpose is to do something she can feel really good about at the end of the day.

But for now, Hale is just looking to beat an 8-year-old in a homework race.

-Barbara Bellesi

Welcome back to CollegeSurfing.com Insider’s series, From Laid Off to Learning series.  This week, we focus on how to handle money matters and health insurance questions in the wake of a layoff.

Be sure to check in each Monday for some additional expert tips and inspiring stories of layoff survivors heading back to the classroom. Even easier, subscribe now.

Money Matters >>

The most frightening aspect of being laid off for many people, especially those supporting families, is losing your financial stability. Start taking measures right away to curb spending, generate income, and protect your investments.

* Your rainy day has arrived. If you haven’t thought about how to reduce expenses before, now is the time to start implementing some frugal living. Start by talking with your family about cutting expenses; call companies like your utilities and credit card companies to negotiate better rates; etc., says Susan Steinbrecher, an executive coach who specializes in leadership, operations, human resources and training. “Try conserving gas, do less driving, lower your thermostat, cut coupons, cancel unnecessary services like cable, housecleaning, and more,” she adds.

* Contact your financial advisor. Wondering what will happen to your 401K? Chances are your former company isn’t going to offer you any advice in that regard. Your best bet is to call your financial advisor, or the company that maintains your portfolio, to discuss your options. These can include rolling it over into an IRA, or simply leaving it be. Unless you’re in severe dire straights, you’ll want to try to avoid cashing it out since you’ll be assessed a hefty tax penalty, and may never get around to replenishing it.

* File for unemployment – don’t hesitate! “The process could take an extended period of time and that lag could mean not having any revenue coming in,” warns Linda Amaro, co-founder of NextWork Services. Important to note: You qualify for unemployment even if you are receiving severance pay. If you’re in a high unemployment state, the recent economic stimulus package has added up to 20 additional weeks of unemployment benefits. Click here for a directory of state umemployment offices – many of which allow you to apply right online.

Health Insurance >>

Second to not having your steady income is losing your health benefits. How can you ensure that you’ll be covered — and be able to afford that coverage?

* Get a COBRA clue. Here are the facts: If you had health insurance with your employer, you will be offered the option to continue those benefits up to 18 months through COBRA. The good news is that with last year’s stimulus package, you may be eligible for government subsidized COBRA rates.  Check it out, and review the costs of COBRA versus obtaining an independent plan through a local HMO or PPO provider.

* Get some spousal support. If your spouse is still employed and the employer offers insurance, the loss of your job is a triggering event which would enable you to enroll in your spouse’s insurance plan as long as you do so within 30 days of the date your job ended, notes Q. VanBenschoten, director of human resources at North America for Intertek.  “If you chose to enroll in your spouse’s plan, your benefits should be retroactive to the date you lost coverage.”

* Check up time. One of the first things you should ask about if you’re laid off is if your health coverage will extend via your severance package. That way, you’ll know just how long you have to play catch up on all of the doctor appointments and checkups you’ve been putting off. If you’re due for your yearly physical or have prescriptions to fill, get going before your coverage expires.

Be sure to check in next Monday when we’ll meet another layoff survivor who’s hitting the books.

-Dawn Papandrea

Over the weekend, I finally saw “Avatar,” which is unlike any other movie I’ve ever seen because of its stunning special digital effects, even more amazing when viewed in 3D.

James Cameron’s record-setting film is only boosting the careers of its stars, who spend part or all of the movie as blue-skinned aliens but it is inspiring in many ways, including some of which have nothing to do with the plot. Watching the film, you may leave wondering what it takes to put such eye-popping and can’t-bear-to-blink details into a movie. Not to mention how all of the top-notch technology came into play, and that it took an estimated $400 million production and marketing budget to create the film’s success.

If your dream is to land a job behind-the-scenes creating the next movie that generates as much buzz as “Avatar,” you’ll need to start looking into courses in special effects, animation, sound editing and other fields taught in film school. Animation and special effects careers will require courses and/or degree focuses in subjects such as 3D and technology-driven courses (which is part of the reason why “Avatar” has made so much at the box office). In fact, USA Today reports that the movie uses more than 2,500 digital effects, and 60 percent is computer-generated.

Think you’ve got what it takes to enter this world? First, start with these smart questions to ask as recommended by The CollegeBoard, when considering a school offering a major in animation and special effects:

• Are labs and classrooms equipped with state-of-the-art technology?
• Do professors have plenty of real-world experience?
• Will the program help you find work after graduation?

In addition, you’ll want to think about if you’re willing to relocate. Many animation companies tend to be in the California area. That’s not to say you can’t work elsewhere, but it’s something to keep in mind should your career take off.

Ready to get started? Explore animation careers at CollegeSurfing, and start checking out programs near you.

-Lori Johnston

It’s a new year, and with that, we decided to take the next few editions of the CollegeSurfing.com Insider’s series, From Laid Off to Learning, in a different direction. We’re reflecting on what we learned about layoffs during the tough 2009 year, and how we can prepare ourselves should it ever happen to us. This week’s focus is on what to do in the immediate aftermath of getting the news.

Be sure to check in each Monday for some additional expert tips and inspiring stories of layoff survivors heading back to the classroom. Even easier, subscribe now.

In today’s economic climate, there’s a good chance the inevitable can happen to you, your spouse, or someone you know. No matter how safe you feel your job is or how many years you have invested, no one is immune to getting laid off.

What to do when you get the news >>

Emotions will run high. Panic might set in. But before you do or say something you’ll regret later, take it all in, and then put together a game plan for moving onward and upward.

* Make a timeline. How long will severance pay run? When do you need to enroll in COBRA coverage? When can you sign up for unemployment benefits, and how soon after that will they start? Sit down with a piece of paper, says Darcy Eikenberg, a professional coach and mentor, and map it all out. “Most post-employment deals are full of dates and deadlines, but they rarely are listed all in one place. Take the time to figure them out and put them in date order so that you don’t miss one by accident.”

* Go over your severance package with a fine-toothed comb. Read all the materials you’re given immediately, highlighting passages that aren’t clear, adds Eikenberg. “If something in your documents is different from what you heard from your boss or HR person explain, do not hesitate to ask for clarification. Handling layoffs is still new to a lot of companies (especially smaller organizations). Sometimes the people tasked with handling the details are still learning how to handle each layoff situation.”

* Take what you can get, then ask for more. In other words, says Aricia E. LaFrance, a professional certified career coach, you can and should try to negotiate your lay off package. “Many people just take the package offered and walk away, but often there is wiggle room.  Consider not only the money, but the perks.” For instance, she explains, sometimes you can negotiate a longer period of time to have your health insurance covered – that can be a savings of $700 per month for some people!

* Get your references lined up. As soon as you know the layoff is coming, don’t hesitate to ask for a letter of recommendation from your employer, recommends Dr. Colleen Georges, a NJ-based resume writer and career coach. “It should not only indicate what you have to offer, but also that the loss of employment was due to a layoff or mass-layoff,” she says.

* Be ready with questions. Your last day will no doubt be emotional, but as it approaches, keep a running list of questions to ask at your exit interview. Go into that exit meeting with questions like: When do my benefits end? Who do I call? When is my last paycheck? Can you be a reference?

Although layoffs may come as a shock, with these points in mind, it doesn’t have to be completely out of your control.

Check in next Monday when experts share tips on dealing with money matters and health insurance when you’ve been laid off.

-Dawn Papandrea

Even though dismal government figures show that the unemployed are certainly not alone in their situation, being laid off has a way of making one feel pretty lonely in the world. That’s why a group of 16 laid-off advertising professionals banded together to create the inspirational documentary “Lemonade,” which spotlights the exciting new journeys these individuals took after they got their pink slips.

You’ve heard the old adage, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” Enjoy the clip below and see how people are putting their words into action.

–Barbara Bellesi

Those of us in the higher education field  learned a lot during the 2000-2009 period, mainly that nothing stays the same. Things evolve at record speeds as technology develops, mindsets change, and trends take hold. Here are 8 of the biggest higher education trends I witnessed during the last decade:

Online Learning – A decade ago, the idea of earning a degree from your home computer sounded a little shady. Fast forward, and over 3.5 million people are taking online learning courses today, with most major colleges and universities offering online degree programs. The concept of “point, click, study” is officially mainstream.

High Tech Classrooms – Back in 1998 when I graduated college, I thought it was annoying that one of my professors asked us to turn in our assignments via email. What an inconvenience! Wow, how the classroom has changed! From Twittering profs and laptop carrying students, to podcast lessons and mobile apps for studying, the days of pen and paper lectures are over.

Early Admission Flip Flop - For a while there, the nation’s top colleges and universities got together and said that early admissions was a bad idea, that it was causing too much pressure among eager high schoolers. Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Stanford were among those that dropped the option in the last 10 years. But recently, the numbers show that students are more than ever relying  on the binding admissions option. More pressure? Perhaps, but the early admissions debate rages on…

Study Abroad Boom – More students than ever are traveling abroad and making the world their classroom. In fact, the Institute of International Education (IIE) reports a 60 percent increase in the number of students studying outside their native country since the year 2000; the number of U.S. students going abroad increased by 150 percent. Blame it on the globalization of the business world or the proliferation of abroad programs, but chances are if you’re a student today, you’ve got a passport.

Admissions 2.0 - If you were a student in decades past, you might remember getting stacks of college viewbooks mailed to your home shortly after you took the SAT. Today’s student gets his admissions information emailed, tweeted, text messaged, and live chatted. Information overload? Maybe, but a few trees are probably being saved in the process.

Career Education Explosion - Toward the end of the 00s, as the economy got tougher, the tough went back to school to learn a trade, bulk up their resumes, or develop a new skill set to lead to a career change. Specialized training programs fulfilled the demand by offering enticing options for adult learners including flexible class hours, better financial aid opportunities, and promises of post-grad job placement.

Student Amenities – Whatever happened to 20 students sharing one dorm bathroom as a rite of passage? Check out University Business’ report “Dorms of Distinction,” and “Dining Halls of Distinction” to see which campuses are offering outrageous and awesome extras.

Overcrowded Two-Year Colleges - They’re affordable, a stepping stone to four-year degree programs and, for many, a fast track to a new career. Two-year programs saw record numbers of applicants toward the latter half of the decade, so much so that they had to turn people away.

What will the next decade bring? Only time will tell, but I can bet the things discussed on this post will be considered old school.

Did I miss any significant trends? What are your thoughts about the future of higher ed? Sound off below.

-Dawn Papandrea

When President Obama stepped forward to receive this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, the world’s attention shifted to the annual celebration of prestigious achievements at the Nobel Foundation in Stockholm, Sweden. But unbeknownst to many are the Ig Nobel awards, which bestow honor among some of the world’s most outrageous research projects. From ovulating lap dancers and Nigeria email spam to archeological-dig wrecking armadillos and the beloved pink flamingo, the Ig Nobels are inspiration that one day, even your silliest school project can shine.

1. Ovulating Lap Dancers Get Higher Tips

The 2008 ECONOMICS prize went to Geoffrey Miller, Joshua Tybur, and Brent Jordan of the University of New Mexico, USA, for discovering that professional lap dancers earn higher tips when they are ovulating. The findings were so earthshaking at the time that a famous sportsman was rumoured to be considering a follow-up study he planned to finance personally. Unfortunately, unforeseen circumstances have made Mr. Eldrick “Tiger” Woods’ participation all but impossible at this time.

2.  Rats Understand Backwards Languages

In 2007, the LINGUISTICS prize was awarded to Juan Manuel Toro, Josep B. Trobalon, and Núria Sebastián-Gallés  of Universidad de Barcelona, for showing that rats sometimes cannot tell the difference between a person speaking Japanese backwards and a person chilklispeaking Dutch backwards. The operative word in this finding is “sometimes,” meaning rats can apparently understand languages spoken backwards. If this information isn’t enough to chill you to the bone, nothing will.

3. The Plastic Pink Flamingo

The Ig Nobel prize for ART in 1996 went to Don Featherstone of Fitchburg, Massachusetts for his ornamentally evolutionary invention, the plastic pink flamingo. While there is little that has remained unsaid about the infamous pink flamingo lawn decoration, it can be agreed here and now that not honoring it would have been a modern crime. I mean c’mon, it’s pink. And a flamingo! It deserves a stinkin’ prize.

4. “An Analysis of the Forces Required to Drag Sheep Over Various Surfaces”

In 2003, the Ig Nobel prize in PHYSICS was awarded to seven Australians for their report, “An Analysis of the Forces Required to Drag Sheep over Various Surfaces.” While the title itself stirs almost as much Monty Python-esque imagery as John Cleese doing a funny walk, it remains a given that the content would likely be of intense interest to sheep herders (and lovers) the world over. Commence shuddering now.

5. Nigerian Scam Emails Win Best Literature

The Ig Nobel LITERATURE prize of 2005 went to the Internet entrepreneurs of Nigeria for their creation of, and subsequent use of email to distribute a series of “bold short stories” about rich Nigerians separated from their wealth. It was mind boggling how the tale of needing only “a modest sum in advance” from a helpful stranger to get it all back was actually capturing the attention of a large group of (gullible) people. While the promised rewards never actually materialized, the expectant greed these spam-fired tales brought to the faces of far too many dense North Americans is unquestioned. Sadly, General Sani Abacha, Mrs. Mariam Sanni Abacha and Barrister Jon A Mbeki Esq are presumably still in exile, awaiting news on the imminent return of their purloined fortunes. We’re all pulling for them.

6. Archaeological Dig-Wrecking Armadillos

The 2008 ARCHAEOLOGY prize was presented to Astolfo Mello Araujo and Jose Carlos Marcelino for measuring how the course of history, or at least the contents of an archaeological dig site, can be scrambled by the actions of a live armadillo. While such a realization may strike most as common sense, it was apparently news to scientists. That untrained, and obviously non-credentialed (or tenured) wildlife might pose a threat to an open dig site begs the question: Was getting a few rolls of chicken wire really that much of a stretch? Sheesh…

7. Rectal Foreign Bodies: Case Reports and a Comprehensive Review of the World’s Literature

Special recognition must go to 1995 prize for LITERATURE. It was awarded to David B. Busch and James R. Starling of Madison Wisconsin for their research report, “Rectal foreign bodies: Case Reports and a Comprehensive Review of the World’s Literature.” Oh yes, this detailed, and shall we say “pointed” review chronicled the various and surprising things found inside the human rectum. All together now: 11 different fruits, seven light bulbs, two flashlights, a knife sharpener, a wire spring, a snuff box, an oil can with potato stopper, vegetables and other foodstuffs, a jeweller’s saw, a frozen pig’s tail, a tin cup, a beer glass and one very special ensemble collection of spectacles, a suitcase key, a tobacco pouch, and a magazine. While the partridge in the pear tree was not immediately evident, it has been more than a decade since this prize was awarded, so hope springs eternal.

~Jarrod Thalheimer

The decision to go back to college is an exciting one, as getting your degree means taking a giant step closer to fulfilling your personal and professional goals. However, it can be easy to lose sight of those goals when you’re in the middle of applying for financial aid, rearranging your work schedule to accommodate classes, or any of the other dozens of tasks that are on your back-to-school to do list.

Depending on the field of study into which you are heading, there are hundreds of books on the market that will serve up some much-needed courage and inspiration as you pursue your career and dreams. But let’s be honest—with a growing pile of textbooks, as well as papers, projects, and exams, reading a book for pleasure might not be feasible right now. Instead, why not relax, pop some popcorn, and curl up on the couch with an inspiring movie? Check out the following list of films that feature strong characters kicking butt in their careers.

Business

Working Girl. At first, it’s hard to take Tess McGill (Melanie Griffith) seriously with her teased-out hair and caked-on makeup. But when we see that she is a strong woman who has really set her mind on making something of herself in the cutthroat world of big business, we forgive her fashion faux pas. Sure, Tess does resort to some devious behavior in this Cinderella-in-a-business-suit tale, but all is forgiven in the end. And when she ends up with an office with a view—as well as the guy—who doesn’t want to cheer?

Criminal Justice

To Kill a Mockingbird. There are many reasons to watch To Kill a Mockingbird (and read the book by Harper Lee), but one of the most important ones is attorney Atticus Finch, played to perfection by Gregory Peck. Yes, Finch takes on an unwinnable case of defending a black man accused of raping a white girl. And yes, he does ultimately lose. But what he gains in respect from his innocent defendant’s community is enough to inspire any would-be attorney to fight the good fight for the underdog.

Culinary Arts

Babette’s Feast. If you have an aversion to subtitles, get over it. After a while, you’ll find that you won’t need to read along with the translation, as the gorgeous spread of food shown on screen speaks volumes for itself. In this film (an adaptation of Isek Dinesen’s story), Babette (Stephane Audran), a former chef, uses her lottery winnings to create a sumptuous feast as thanks for the kindness shown to her by two sisters. Babette’s Feast is a celebration of food and the heart and soul that goes into preparing it. Weight Watchers might wish to ban this movie, but rest assured—while this movie won’t make you feel fat, it will make you feel full.

Education

To Sir, with Love. Before Dangerous Minds and Stand and Deliver, there was Sidney Poitier in To Sir, with Love. A young man takes a teaching job in a tough school in the West End of London as he awaits a “real” job as an engineer. While his students might not carry guns to school like some of the toughs in more recent films, these English boys and girls have major ‘tudes that can do just as much damage. By teaching them to respect themselves first, Poitier’s Mr. Thackeray teaches his troubled students that others will respect them in return. It’s no surprise that he wins them over in the end, but there is still a whole lot of inspiration amidst predictability.

Fashion

Rear Window. No excuse is really ever needed to watch an Alfred Hitchcock film, particularly one of his more iconic ones like Rear Window. Film buffs watch it for the cinematography, mystery lovers watch it for the chilling storyline, but fashionistas watch it for Grace Kelly. The screen siren’s wardrobe (remember her black-and-white gown in the opening scene?) is enough to make even the most casual clothes shopper forget that this is, after all, a movie about a grisly murder. It’s no surprise that the fashion world still looks to Princess Grace’s stylish legacy for inspiration.

Health Care

And the Band Played On. More than a decade before popular shows like “Entourage” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” HBO received critical acclaim for its original movie about the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic during the 1980s. The film, based on the book by Randy Shilts, follows the struggles of a group of doctors at the Centers for Disease Control as they work with a team of researchers in France. A wary U.S. government, bureaucracy, and a battle of egos help build intrigue, while the number of those early victims rises with alarming speed. The all-star cast, which includes the likes of Matthew Modine, Sir Ian McKellan, Lily Tomlin, and Anjelica Huston, makes this movie easy to watch, but it’s the dedication of the medical researchers that continues to inspire long after the credits roll.

Music

Almost Famous. You could be tone deaf and still like this movie, but for those whose musical talent goes beyond Guitar Hero or Rock Band, Cameron Crowe’s semi-autobiographical Almost Famous really brings it home. The soundtrack rocks, but the movie is really more about an up-and-coming rock band staying true to themselves and their music. Sapphire (Fairuza Balk), one of the “Band-Aids” who joins the group on tour, sums up what being a fan of music is all about: “…to truly love some silly little piece of music, or some band, so much that it hurts.”

Performing Arts

All That Jazz. When it comes to looking for inspiration as a dancer, choreographer, director, writer, etc., there’s no one better than the late great Bob Fosse. In All That Jazz, Fosse is at his bravest, because this film is a thinly-veiled autobiography of his own highs and (very) lows. Through the character of Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider), Fosse bares his compulsive drive for perfection. To be sure, this movie is, at times, a cautionary tale of how not to behave in show business, but overall, to get a glimpse of the man that Fosse and others perceived him to be is all the inspiration you need to blaze your own path in the performing arts.

Psychology

Sybil. Normally, we think of critically acclaimed movies as ones that are viewed on the big screen. So it’s very easy to forget that Sybil, starring the incomparable Sally Fields, was a made-for-TV movie. It tells the incredible-but-true story of a woman who developed more than a dozen different personalities as the result of a horribly traumatic childhood. Joanne Woodward portrays Dr. Wilbur, the psychologist who works to get to the core of Sybil’s dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality disorder) and help her to confront the demons of her past. Dr. Wilbur’s perseverance with her unusual patient is inspiration for those students of psychology whose work will bring them in contact with difficult diagnoses.

Writing

Quills. The wildly erotic tales written by the Marquis de Sade (Geoffrey Rush) may not suit everyone’s literary tastes, but the discipline and stamina he had while writing them is nothing short of inspirational. The intensity of the intertwining storylines in this movie definitely makes it hard to watch at times, particularly when the viewer realizes just to what extremes de Sade allegedly went to continue his writing. However, his passion puts to shame any excuse a writer might have for not picking up a pen or sitting at the keyboard.

Once you’ve been inspired and are ready to get started, take a deeper look into what each career field has to offer.

–Barbara Bellesi

As you’re looking at your bank account during your school search, also check out the financial situation of the schools on your list and the unique ways in which they raise money. For many students, being part of the student body means helping out with cool fundraising events and even rub bing elbows with celebrities!

One of the county’s most popular annual foodie events is the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which helps raise money for the Florida International University (FIU) School of Hospitality. The school raised a record-breaking $2 million last year for its Teaching Restaurant Program and the Southern Wine & Spirits Beverage Management Center, both on FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus in North Miami. Students weren’t left out — $400,000 of the money went toward scholarships.

Food Network stars Emeril Lagasse, Bobby Flay, Rachael Ray, Guy Fieri, Paula Deen, Sandra Lee, and Michael Symon and prominent chefs like Daniel Boulud, Ming Tsai, Michelle Bernstein, Lidia Bastianich, David Burke, Scott Conant, Laurent Tourandel, and Alfred Portale are scheduled to appear at the this year’s Feb. 25-28 event.

The fact that such respected chefs are willing to attach their names to the event speaks to the reputation of the school and of course, the appeal of its hospitality program. Plus, the school says more than 850 students are involved in the planning and putting on the festival, even getting to cook with and for the chefs.

My mouth’s watering after looking at the dinner, seminars, and other special events scheduled for the weekend, and consider this: Attending a school with events like these also give you a taste for how your college choice can open the doors to unique experiences in the hospitality and culinary field.

Bon appetit!