Scholarship for Graduates
WTS has launched a new scholarship, the President’s Legacy Scholarship. Each year, the President’s Legacy Scholarship will provide a $3,000 scholarship to a young woman pursuing a career in transportation. This “rotating” scholarship will take the name of the currently serving WTS International president, and will change names as presidents fulfill their terms. Elaine Dezenski is currently fulfilling her term as president, and so the scholarship is the “Elaine Dezenski Legacy Scholarship.”
The WTS mission of transforming the transportation industry through the advancement of women can be realized by encouraging them to further their careers as leaders in the transportation industry. The Elaine Dezenski Legacy Scholarship is awarded to women pursuing graduate studies in transportation or a related field, who demonstrate leadership skills and an active commitment to community service.
A member of WTS since 1993, WTS International President Elaine Dezenski has been honored to serve in numerous leadership positions at both the Chapter and International level within the organization, including President of the WTS Washington, DC chapter 1998-2000, WTS International Board Member (2002-2004) Treasurer (2004-2006), Vice President (2006-2008). She has been an active member of the transportation and security community in both the public and private sector. From 2000-2006, she served in a variety of civil service and political appointments at the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Homeland Security. She was Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Business Development at Cross Match Technologies, Inc., where she oversaw the company’s global government affairs initiatives and business development. Elaine is currently Managing Director, Global Security Initiative at Interpol.
Through the Elaine Dezenski Legacy Scholarship, WTS seeks to motivate and reward women who demonstrate leadership in the transportation industry to bring ideas, innovation and new approaches to transportation challenges in the US and beyond. This year’s focus on global transportation challenges encourages candidates who have a specific interest in addressing the impact of transportation on sustainability, land use, environmental impact, security and quality of life as they affect communities around the globe.
The Elaine Dezenski Legacy Scholarship is $3,000. The minimum criteria for selection are as follows:
a. Open to women
b. GPA of 3.0 or higher
c. Currently enrolled in an graduate degree program in a transportation-related field, such as transportation engineering, planning, business management, finance or logistics
d. Plans to pursue a career in a transportation-related field
e. Applicants for the Elaine Dezesnki Legacy Scholarship are asked to specifically address in a personal statement of 1,000 words or less; their vision of how their education will give them the tools to address the impact of transportation on sustainability, land use, environmental impact, security and quality of life as they affect communities around the globe.
Applications must be submitted through local WTS chapters. The scholarships are competitive and based on the applicant's specific transportation goals, academic record and transportation-related activities or job skills. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Awards will be presented May 20, 2010 and attendance at the awards dinner is strongly recommended. Local WTS chapters may have additional requirements (such as personal interviews or higher GPA). Please contact your local WTS chapter.