Daniel Ma
B.A. in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management ‘91, Eli Broad College of Business
Assistant General Manager, Finance Systems Solutions, The Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels

Spend five minutes with Daniel Ma, and it quickly becomes apparent how deep his love for MSU is.

Having attended high school in Hong Kong but later graduating in Canada, Ma learned about Michigan State’s hospitality management program the old-fashioned way—from a book in a library. While visiting his grandfather in Evansville, Indiana, Ma went to the local library to begin researching best colleges and universities for hotel management.

“I believe at the time, MSU was ranked #2. In addition to foundational business knowledge and hotel-specific skills, the two required internships at Broad gave me valuable real-life experiences that helped me confirm my career choice and secure my first job before graduating from MSU,” says Ma, who has worked for several top-tier hotels in Chicago, including  Stouffer-Riviere, now Renaissance Chicago; House of Blues; and The Peninsula. 

After 14 years in the Windy City, Ma returned to Hong Kong. He and his wife, whom he met in Chicago, have raised their two children there, yet Ma always imagined when the time came, he would be sending them to the U.S. for college.

Last spring, Ma’s son finished his first year as a packaging major in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. And his daughter is not far behind as she is about to enter her senior year of high school.

“Since I went to MSU, I am familiar with the places and opportunities the university can offer to my children. Additionally, Midwestern people are some of the nicest and most willing to help each other,” Ma says. “There is a comfort level I have in East Lansing—I know the environment is one that is safe, and I have friends nearby who will be there to lookout for my kids and their best interests.”

Banner image: Ma with his son during move-in week August 2024. Courtesy photo.