Scholarship Information
Part of the WTS goal of fostering the development of women in the transportation field is achieved by encouraging new professionals to careers in transportation. In addition to the WTS Central Florida Chapter funded scholarships awarded at our banquet in October 2022, WTS International has six scholarships. Each chapter nominates one person in each category. We use our local winners as our applicants for WTS International, when feasible, and request applications for the open categories. At this time, we have three open categories.
- The Transportation YOU High School Scholarship
- WTS Junior College/Trade School Scholarship
- Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates
The WTS International scholarships are awarded to women that demonstrate leadership skills, ability, and interest. The general criteria for each of the scholarships are:
- Open to women
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Enrolled in a Central Florida* degree program in a transportation-related field
- Plan to pursue a career in transportation-related field for college/trade school applicants
- Enrolled in high school STEM studies and considering a career in a transportation-related for high school applicants
- Students must either have a permanent address or attend school within Central Florida, which is considered Alachua, Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Flagler, Polk, Seminole, Marion, Sumter, Union, and Volusia Counties
Scholarship applications are due by January 6, 2023, 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time. The specific award criteria are included in each application below:
The Transportation YOU High School Scholarship (click to download application)
WTS Central Florida will select one application to be submitted to WTS International for consideration for the $2,500 Transportation YOU scholarship from the WTS International Foundation.
WTS Junior College/Trade School Scholarship (click to download application)
WTS Central Florida will select one application to be submitted to WTS International for consideration for the $2,500 Junior College/Trade School scholarship from WTS International Foundation.
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates (click to download application)
WTS Central Florida will select one application to be submitted to WTS International for consideration for the $5,000 Molitoris scholarship from the WTS International Foundation.
Our chapter scholarship program will begin in mid-2023 with local recipients moving forward to the WTS International Foundation awards in January 2024. Information will be updated on this web page. Also, check out our past winners below.
Support the Scholarship Fund
We have two options to make a direct monetary contribution to the WTS Foundation
- Via Check: please make checks payable to "WTS Foundation" and send WTSCFL P.O. Box 536549, Orlando, FL 32853-6549 and write "Central Florida Chapter scholarship account" on the memo line.
- Online: use the online donation option and select the Central Florida chapter
Donate Multifund (wtsinternational.org)
WTSCFL will award four scholarships totaling $10,000.
Scroll down for previous recipients.
2022 Scholarships Awarded at September 30 Banquet
- Mariam Nour, University of Central Florida | Memorial Graduate Scholarship
- Tessa Flemma, University of Florida | Leadership Graduate Scholarship
- Shemania Accema, Valencia College | Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
- Azza Alisawi, University of Central Florida | Graduate Leadership Scholarship

2021 Scholarships Awarded at September 30 Banquet
- Agathe Emeran, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
- Samantha Kusters, University of Florida | Leadership Undergraduate Scholarship
- Elisabeth McKinley Staten, University of Florida | Memorial Graduate Scholarship
- Jady Chen, University of Central Florida | Leadership Graduate Scholarship


Check out our 2020 Scholarship Recipients - YouTube Links for Virtual Ceremony
Graduate Scholarship: Nada Mahmoud - Major: Ph.D., Civil Engineering
Nada Ahmed Ibrahim Mahmoud | University of Central Florida - YouTube
Undergraduate Scholarship: Rosy Lu - Major: B.S., Civil Engineering
Rosy Lu | University of Central Florida - YouTube
Graduate Leadership Scholarship: Ala Shehdeh Alobeidyeen - Major: Ph.D., Transportation Engineering
Ala Shehdeh Alobeidyeen | University of Florida - YouTube
Undergraduate Leadership Scholarship: Sophia Elise Corugedo - Major: B.S., Sustainability and the Built Environment
Sophia Elise Corugedo | University of Florida - YouTube

September 24 Frankee Hellinger Virtual Scholarship Ceremony
September 24, 5:30-6pm (Thursday) was LIVE on YouTube and Facebook for the 2020 Frankee Hellinger Virtual Scholarship Ceremony Hosted by Scholarship Co-Chairs Francina Gil / Consor and Sherry Ann Tulloch / M&O Marketing Consultants. Featuring Special Guest Racquel Asa of Beep Inc. Local transportation leader Frankee Hellinger passed away this year – this event will include a tribute to her life and leadership. CLICK HERE TO SEE YOUTUBE VIDEO
2019 Scholarship Recipients

Marilo Martin-Gasulla, University of Florida
2019 Frankee Hellinger Graduate Leadership Scholarship
Nekeisha Lyon, University of Central Florida
2019 Frankee Hellinger Graduate Scholarship
Ariana Borton, University of Florida
2019 Frankee Hellinger Undergraduate Leadership Scholarship
Sophia Semensky, University of Florida
2019 Frankee Hellinger Undergraduate Scholarship
2018 Scholarship Recipients
Morgan Morris, University of Central Florida
2018 Frankee Hellinger Leadership Scholarship
Emily Jannace, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
2018 Frankee Hellinger Undergraduate Scholarship
Ghalia Gameleldin, University of Central Florida
2018 Frankee Hellinger Graduate Scholarship
2017 Scholarship Recipients
Kelly Ward, University of Florida
2017 Frankee Hellinger Leadership Scholarship
Yantong Chen, University of Florida
2017 Frankee Hellinger Undergraduate Scholarship
Deja Monet Jackson, University of Florida
2017 Frankee Hellinger Graduate Scholarship
2016 Scholarship Recipients
Anna Ghelerter, University of North Florida
2016 Frankee Hellinger Leadership Scholarship
Megan McGinley, University of Florida
2016 Frankee Hellinger Undergraduate Scholarship
Eleftheria Konton, University of Florida
2016 Frankee Hellinger Graduate Scholarship
2015 Scholarship Recipients
Jessica Wallet, University of Florida
2015 Frankee Hellinger Leadership Scholarship
Kelsey Strobridge, University of Florida
2015 Frankee Hellinger Undergraduate Scholarship
Yinan Zheng, University of Florida
2015 Frankee Hellinger Graduate Scholarship
2014 Scholarship Recipients
Kristen Nicole Schneider, University of Florida
2014 Frankee Hellinger Leadership Scholarship
Kelsey Elizabeth Lucas, University of Florida
2014 Frankee Hellinger Undergraduate Scholarship
Zhuofei Li, University of Florida
2014 Frankee Hellinger Graduate Scholarship