Graduate Scholarships:

Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship / GNY: Leonard Braun Memorial Scholarship

Schayne Fox is pursuing her Master’s in Urban Planning at Hunter College with a focus in transportation. She completed her BS in Civil Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2020. Her most recent research investigates the current state of car ownership in New York City as well as provides a roadmap for the New York City Department of Transportation to foster a streamlined, equitable approach to reducing vehicle ownership and increasing multimodal opportunities across the five boroughs. Schayne also works as a Senior Transportation Planner on the MTA’s Brooklyn Bus Network Redesign project, utilizing performance indicators, public feedback, current and future land uses, stakeholder input, and equity considerations to modernize Brooklyn’s bus network. In addition to her professional and academic demands, Schayne has contributed to the Hunter College Graduate Department of Urban Policy and Planning’s biannual publication, Urban Review, and participated in the MTA’s Operations Planning Enrichment & Development Program, a multidisciplinary initiative that provides opportunities to learn about the various operating units within the organization and develop proposals to supplement current agency goals. She has been a member of WTS since 2022. During her leisure time, Schayne enjoys traveling, yoga, and walking her dog in Prospect Park.

 

National Leadership Legacy Award

Eliza Parrinello is an Architectural Designer at H&H and is currently pursuing her Master of Architecture at Boston Architectural College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Lehigh University in 2019. Eliza is committed to amplifying women’s voices in the transportation industry through open communication and mentorship. She served as a lead architectural mentor for the ACE Mentorship Program from 2019 to 2022 and has participated in H&H’s mentorship program, both as a mentee and as a mentor to summer interns.

As an architectural designer, Eliza has contributed to various transportation projects, including the development of a new commuter rail line in Indiana that connects suburban areas to Chicago. Her work emphasizes accessibility, consistently adhering to ADA compliance and setting a standard for inclusive design.

A new member of WTS, Eliza is eager to continue her professional growth with the Greater New York Chapter. In her free time, she enjoys exploring the city and discovering new restaurants.

Infra Tech S. David Ali Memorial Graduate Scholarship

Yizhou Wang is pursuing her Master’s in Regional Planning at Cornell University, driven by a passion for creating sustainable and resilient urban environments through data-driven insights. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning and Design from Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University.

Yizhou's expertise spans transportation planning, climate resilience, and data analytics. She has gained extensive experience through her internship at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), where she explored urban densification, transit policies, the impact of electric vehicles (EVs), and transportation-related carbon emissions. Additionally, as a Research Assistant in Cornell's Systems Engineering department, she developed algorithms for merging transportation data from various sources, enhancing the accuracy and integrity of complex datasets.

Yizhou believes that transportation planning reflects societal values within our physical environments. Her commitment extends beyond analyzing urban data to understanding the socio-economic dynamics that shape our communities. Her work was presented at the American Association of Geographers Annual Meeting in 2024, where she explored the disparity between gated and non-gated communities in Guangzhou. At Cornell, she serves as Vice President of the International Planning Student Organization (IPSO), organizing events that promote diversity and cultural exchange. Dedicated to advancing equity in transit and climate resilience, she seeks to ensure that future transportation systems and urban planning efforts are both inclusive and sustainable.

 

Undergraduate Scholarships:

Sharon D. Banks Memorial / GNY: Susan Miszkowicz Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship

Victoria Maidana is a junior at Columbia University, studying Civil Engineering with a minor in Mechanical Engineering; she is an international student, originally from Paraguay. Growing up in her country gave her first-hand insight to reflect on the importance of the availability and advocacy for accessible and optimized transportation systems. Her current academic and career interests include pursuing a career on the intersection between structural design and optimization of transportation systems. 

During the school year, Victoria works part-time as a Lab Assistant at the Robert A.W. Carleton Strength of Materials Laboratory, where tasks include tensile testing on suspension bridge cables, element composition of the steel of these cables, and fatigue testing. Currently, she's working as a Structural Engineering Intern for CityScape Engineering in Port Washington, NY; where she works on structural modelling and design, forensic and pre-construction inspection and reporting.

On campus, she serves as part of the Leadership Board for ASCE, and is currently working on the re-establishment of the School's Steel Bridge Team in cooperation with the Civil Engineering Department.

In her free time, Victoria enjoys watching documentaries, running, and trying dance lessons.

 

Molitoris Leadership Scholarship

Sreevarshini Karthikeyan is a senior at the Cooper Union, majoring in Civil Engineering. This past summer Sree was a structural engineering intern with Stantec where she worked on the structural design for the rehabilitation and replacement of elevators and related structures throughout various New York City subways. The past two semesters Sree has also worked on a collaborative research project with the Cooper Union School of Architecture and Art to produce an interdisciplinary study of public housing spaces, in which she focused on the impact of flash flooding on the communities residing in these spaces. On campus, she also serves as the president of the Cooper Union ASCE (American Society of Civil Engineers) chapter, where she plans and hosts networking, social and professional events for students in the department. In her free time. She enjoys singing classical Indian music and has done so for the past 10+ years as well as gardening and cooking. 

 

Community College/Technical/Trade Degree Scholarship

Ritika Talwar is a senior at CUNY New York City College of Technology, majoring in Construction Engineering. Her passion for engineering started when she interned with the School of Construction Authority. In 2022, she graduated with an associate’s degree in civil engineering from LaGuardia Community College. After obtaining her associates, she went on to intern for the NYC Department of Design and Construction for the Borough-Based Jails Program. Currently, Ritika is an Engineering Intern at EnTech, where she is working on various geo-structural projects. Her responsibilities include being on site to perform borings, generating weekly analytical reports by extracting data from an online portal and more. When Ritika transferred over to City Tech to pursue her Bachelors, she felt a void for civil engineering related clubs. With the help of her Fluid Mechanics professor, Ritika revived the American Society of Civil Engineers Club at City Tech and was elected as president of the club. This is the second year she continues to serve as President. This year she also became a Student Ambassador for ASCE and is also the SEAoNy student representative at her school. She is also a peer leader on campus, helping students navigate their college life while providing tutoring at the same time. Lastly, she is also a mentor for the ‘The Valedictorian Project’ where she mentors incoming college students with their transition to college and life.  In the future, Ritika hopes to pursue a career in engineering/construction related projects as her dream is to contribute to projects that represent safe spaces for immigrants and women.  In her free time, she enjoys reading, trying out new cafes, and exploring new places.

Susan L. Kupferman Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship

Sarah Meena Pineandi is a fourth-year Civil Engineering student at Manhattan College,  passionately dedicated to enhancing the transportation infrastructure in urban environments. As the Co-Vice President of the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) at her school, she helps to foster an inclusive environment that supports and encourages women in engineering, supporting initiatives like the "SWE for Scouts" event, to inspire young girls to explore STEM fields. In addition to her leadership in SWE, Sarah manages social media for the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), promoting events that connect students with environmental professionals. As Treasurer and Social Media Manager for the Structural Engineering Association of New York (SEAoNY), she effectively manages funds and enhances the club's social media presence, boosting participation in key networking events. Last summer, Sarah conducted research as a Mahony Research Scholar, focusing on the "Effect of Climate Change on New York City Drinking Water Reservoirs." Through this research, she developed a keen insight into the challenges posed by climate change on urban water systems. Currently, Sarah is working part-time at Popli Design Group, where she is involved in designing ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps across historic locations in New York City. This work has deepened her understanding of how transportation infrastructure impacts communities, particularly those with disabilities and the elderly. Driven by her realization that transportation is a crucial element in shaping communities, Sarah aspires to further her education in Civil Engineering. Her goal is to apply her knowledge and skills to improve the quality of life in New York City by enhancing the accessibility and efficiency of its transportation systems. When she is not studying or working, Sarah enjoys creative nail art and immersing herself in the thrill of scary movies, finding a unique blend of relaxation and excitement in these hobbies.  

Infra Tech S. David Ali Undergraduate Scholarship

Yoselin is a senior Construction Engineering Technology student with a concentration in Civil Engineering at The New York City College of Technology. As an Transportation Construction Inspector intern for the NYSDOT, she is participating in the Design-Build Van Wyck Expressway JFK Access expansion project, putting her education into practice and gaining experience in the field of heavy construction and rehabilitations. With her passion for environmental sustainability, accessibility, and environmental resource management, she aims to delve into projects involving water infrastructure and public welfare. She is currently involved in many personal projects, including PlantXchange, a growing LGBTQIA+ NYC founded volunteer-led mutual aid teaching diverse communities about the environment, health and sustainable practices, arts, mental health and more through the practice of horticulture and land stewardship. PX partners with local organizations and small businesses to host free workshops and events, with discussions involving soil structures, plant anatomy and care, native species maintenance, and more, all involving hands-on experiences and taking home free plants and resources! While in school, she tutors and facilitates class recitations for Statics with the guidance of Professor and department Dean Melanie Villatoro. She hopes to continue growing her education, exposure to community policies and rehabilitation, and a strong push for mental health awareness and free and affordable healthcare and health care resources.

High School Scholarship:

WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship

Meaghan Sullivan is a senior at The Harvey School with aspirations of pursuing a career in Aerospace Engineering. She is a hardworking member of her school’s robotics program, handwriting over 1,200 pages of Engineering Notebooks in the past two years. During the academic year, Meaghan competes in VEX Robotics competitions nationwide. Alongside her teammates, she has earned 2 international awards, 4 national awards, 2 state-level awards, and 12 regional awards. Meaghan is also committed to giving back to her community through robotics. For the past two years, she participated in demonstrations at Google NYC for the Prep For Prep student program. When not busy in the robotics lab, she dedicates her time to the performing arts, preparing for musicals with her local theater company and working in the dance studio.