Scholarships
Applications Now Open for 2023-2024 WTS Scholarships
WTS Puget Sound Chapter is now accepting applications for 2024 financial awards to support women pursuing educational advancement in transportation-related fields. A link to a universal application applicable to all scholarship submissions can be found here. Scholarship descriptions and requirements are provided below. For more information, contact [email protected].
Scholarship applications are due by Monday, December 18, 2023 before 11:59 PM.
Each year, the WTS Puget Sound Chapter recognizes scholars with the talent, drive and passion to pursue careers in the transportation industry with several significant financial awards. The scholarship winners will be recognized and presented with their financial award during our annual gala in spring 2024. Scholarship recipients from each WTS chapter are also eligible for WTS International-level awards, which are presented at the WTSI annual conference in May. Click here to see past scholarship recipients.
This year’s scholarships include
Transportation YOU Scholarship
WTS fosters the development of women, girls and non-binary persons in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in the area of transportation. One way it does this is by awarding the WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship to girls or non-binary youth pursuing high school studies in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Transportation YOU is a hands-on, interactive, mentoring program that offers young girls and non-binary youth ages 13-18 an introduction to a wide variety of transportation careers. Through the Transportation YOU program and this scholarship, WTS chapters work to make a difference in the lives of young girls and non-binary youth by offering opportunities and activities that will spark their interest in all modes of transportation and encourage them to take courses in math, science, and technology, which are the stepping stones to exciting careers that can change the face of the transportation industry.
Notes:
- Click here for the Transportation YOU scholarship requirements.
- The WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship is $2,500.
Junior College/Trade School Scholarship
WTS fosters the development of women and non-binary persons in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in transportation. One way it does this is by awarding community, technical, or trade college scholarships to women or non-binary persons pursuing transportation- related study at community and trade colleges.
This scholarship is intended for students pursuing an associate or technical degree in transportation-related studies.
The WTS Junior College/Trade School Scholarship is $3,000. The minimum criteria for selection are:
- A women or non-binary person with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Currently enrolled in a degree program in a transportation-related field.
- Plans to pursue a career in a transportation-related field.
Notes:
- Click here for the Junior College/Trade School scholarship requirements.
- The Junior College/Trade School Scholarship is $3,000.
- Local winners’ applications may be sent to Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International for additional award consideration.
Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship
The WTS Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship was established in 1981 by WTS International to encourage women to pursue career paths in transportation. The scholarship is awarded to women or non-binary person pursuing graduate studies in transportation or a related field.
In memory of Helene M. Overly, the first Executive Secretary of WTS, the Board of Directors voted to name the annual WTS graduate scholarship the Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship to honor Helene for her dedicated service to WTS. Helene became a WTS member in 1981. She brought with her 15 years of experience in public service, tremendous organizational abilities, and a spirit of determination that helped WTS nearly double its membership in two years.
Notes:
- Click here for the Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate scholarship requirements.
- The WTS Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship is $8,000.
- Local winners’ applications may be sent to Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International for additional award consideration.
2023-24 WTS Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates
Part of the WTS goal of fostering the development of women and non-binary persons in the transportation field can be realized by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in the area of transportation. The WTS Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is awarded to women or non-binary persons pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field who demonstrate leadership skills, ability, and interest.
The purpose of the WTS Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is to motivate and reward women and non-binary persons who demonstrate leadership in the transportation industry. The leadership,skills, and perspectives of women and non-binary persons are essential to assure that the transportation systems of the future respond to the needs of all. Leadership does not just happen. Leaders personally invest and risk much. They must take on struggles that many would avoid and persevere to reach successful outcomes. These qualities should receive special attention in the selection of the award winner.
Notes:
- Click here for the Molitoris Leadership Scholarship requirements.
- The Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is $6,000.
- Local winners’ applications may be sent to Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International for additional award consideration.
- See scholarship description for additional minimum criteria.
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship
WTS fosters the development of women in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in the area of transportation. One way it does this is by awarding the WTS Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship to women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field.
The scholarship honors Sharon D. Banks, chief executive officer of AC Transit in Alameda — Contra Costa County, California. As its CEO throughout most of the 1990’s, Banks led the agency in a pioneering effort to introduce cultural and organizational changes aimed at motivating the public transit workforce. She was a member of the WTS Advisory Board and received the WTS San Francisco Chapter Woman of the Year and Employer of the Year awards.
Notes:
- Click here for the Sharon D. Banks Memorial scholarship requirements.
- The Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship is $6,000.
- Local winners’ applications may be sent to Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International for additional award consideration.
Professor Scott Rutherford Memorial Scholarship
The Senator Scott Rutherford Memorial Scholarship was established in spring 2018 by the Puget Sound Chapter of WTS to motivate women to pursue career paths related to engineering and transportation.
Scott Rutherford saw the promise of public transit and shared his passion with students over the decades he taught at the University of Washington. He saw education as the great equalizer and understood the importance of gender equity and diversity within the engineering profession and transportation fields. He saw that recruitment, development, and investment in students from a diverse background ensured the long‐term success and viability of the larger vision he had of public transit.
The Professor Scott Rutherford Memorial Scholarship is not determined solely on test scores or grades but rather passion for the field of transportation, work ethic, and determination. It is an award acknowledging the student’s potential to take a leadership role in meeting our transportation and engineering needs for future generations.
Notes:
- Click here for the Professor Scott Rutherford Memorial scholarship requirements.
- The Professor Scott Rutherford Scholarship is in the amount of $5,000.
- Eligible for University of Washington students.
Shawna Mulhall Memorial Scholarship
The Shawna Mulhall Memorial Scholarship was established in 2007 by the Puget Sound Chapter of WTS to encourage women to pursue career paths in transportation or a related field. This scholarship provides needs based assistance to students in honor of Shawna’s dedicated service to WTS and the transportation industry. Shawna valued mentoring, believing we are all responsible for each other; generosity and giving with your heart; adventure and trying new things; contributing value and striving for excellence; really listening; and living a full life with dedication to family, community, arts, expression, and nature. Shawna Mulhall was a woman who overcame obstacles in her life through her connection to others, hard work, and her devotion to build stronger, more vibrant communities through her work in urban and transportation planning. She made significant sacrifices to put herself through college. She was a natural leader in transportation in a number of private and public roles in the Northwest. Shawna was devoted to helping other women.
The Shawna Mulhall Scholarship supports the WTS goal of fostering the development of women and non-binary persons in the transportation field, and is meant to address the needs of women and non-binary persons who face financial challenges to pursue their education.
Notes:
- Click here for the Shawna Mulhall Memorial scholarship requirements.
- The Shawna Mulhall Memorial Scholarship is in the amount of $6,000.
- Eligible for Washington state residents or students attending a college in Washington state, or students with an internship in Washington.
Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship
The Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship was established in spring 2019 by the Puget Sound Chapter of WTS to motivate women to pursue career paths related to transportation planning and policy.
Cathy Strombom was one of the women leaders who founded the WTS Puget Sound Chapter in 1982; its mission to advance women in transportation kept it close to her heart throughout her career. In 1989 Cathy was awarded the WTS Puget Sound Woman of the Year for Achievement in Transportation and in 2010 she was awarded Member of the Year. During Cathy’s 34 year career at WSP she founded and grew the Seattle Transportation Planning Group, making it into the company’s largest planning group outside of the corporate headquarters. Cathy and her team provided leadership on many of the transportation projects that have shaped the Puget Sound Region, including the Downtown Transit Tunnel, the SR 520 Bridge Replacement, the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement, and all of Sound Transit’s long range and system plans.
The Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship is not determined solely on test scores or grades but rather passion for the field of transportation, work ethic, and determination. It is an award acknowledging the student’s potential to take a leadership role in meeting our transportation planning needs for future generations.
Notes:
- Click here for the Cathy Strombom Memorial scholarship requirements.
- The Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship is in the amount of $5,000.
Jannet Walker-Ford Leadership Legacy Scholarship
WTS launched the Leadership Legacy Scholarship in 2007. Through this award, WTS provides a $6,000 scholarship to an outstanding young woman or non-binary person pursuing graduate studies working toward a career in transportation or a related field, and who demonstrates a specific interest in advancing transportation innovation.
The WTS mission to build the transportation industry through the global advancement of women and non-binary persons can be realized by encouraging women and non-binary persons to further their careers as leaders in transportation. WTS recognizes that transportation is more than simply moving people and goods from one place to another. It is a driver of growth and an integral part of communities throughout the world. The leadership, skills, and perspectives of women and non-binary persons are essential to ensure that the transportation systems of the future respond to the needs of all. The Leadership Legacy Scholarship currently takes the name of the 2022-2024 WTS International Chair, Jannet Walker-Ford.
Notes:
- Click here for the Jannet Walker-Ford Leadership Legacy Scholarship requirements.
- The Jannet Walker-Ford Leadership Legacy Scholarship is in the amount of $6,000.