Scholarships
Congratulations to all our 2025 scholarship winners!
Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship
The recipient of the Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship for Graduates in the amount of $5,000 is Mahmuda Sultana Mimi.
Mahmuda Sultana Mimi is a dedicated transportation safety researcher pursuing her master’s in civil engineering at Texas State University. She earned her Urban and Regional Planning Bachelor's from the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET). Her research focuses on transportation safety, encompassing vulnerable road users, driver behavior, micromobility, travel behavior, and demand modeling. She is deeply engaged in developing Machine Learning and Deep Learning-based models, as well as Statistical and Econometric models, GIS-based spatial data analysis, and data mining in transportation. In addition to her research work, she has contributed to several key projects of TxDOT, NCHRP, and AAA FTS. Furthermore, besides her academic pursuits, she serves as the secretary of the ITE TXST chapter, where she supports initiatives to enhance transportation systems and promote safety.
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
The recipient of the Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship in the amount of $5,000 is Zeresch Degni.
Zeresch Degni is an aspiring aviation professional majoring in Aviation Science at Baylor University. With a passion for the skies, Ms. Degni is dedicated to becoming a pilot, whether in the commercial airline sector or corporate aviation. Her commitment to excellence and safety in aviation drives her pursuit of knowledge and skill development. The WTS Scholarship represents a pivotal opportunity for Ms. Degni, providing essential support and recognition in a competitive field. It lets her focus on her studies and flight training, bringing me closer to her dream of navigating the skies. She is excited to contribute to the future of aviation with enthusiasm and expertise.
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates
The recipient of the Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates in the amount of $5,000 is Aishwarya Sreenivasan.
Aishwarya Sreenivasan is a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin pursuing a dual Bachelor of Science in Statistics & Data Science and Business Economics. Outside of her studies, Aishwarya participates in various activities, including serving as a Woman in STEM Outreach Ambassador, an Undergraduate Economics Research Fellow, and a Data Analyst in her university’s Climate Leaders Program. She is interested in utilizing data analytics to ensure people's safe and efficient transport in their daily lives by using data-driven approaches to improve traffic and safety, as well as determining strategies to increase sustainability by offsetting emissions. In her free time, she enjoys practicing nature photography and learning geography, and her goal is to use technology to enable social and environmental change.
Bridgette Beato Leadership Legacy for Graduates
The recipient of the Bridgette Beato Leadership Legacy for Graduates in the amount of $5,000 is Isabelle Reynolds.
Izzi Reynolds is a master’s student at the University of Texas at Austin studying transportation engineering. She is currently doing research for Dr. Randy Machemehl. Ms. Reynolds completed her undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering at Rice University and is originally from Rochester, NY. She loves active transportation and hopes to continue working on pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure after graduation. She enjoys reading, painting, and being outdoors in her free time. Following her service as UT WTS Student Chapter President and Secretary in the Fall, she is currently co-social chair of our graduate council, where she has organized events, including a ride on the Red Line to the Leander Dairy Queen. She is very honored to receive the Bridgette Beato Legacy Leadership Scholarship from WTS and excited for her future career in transportation!
Transportation YOU Scholarship
The recipient of the Transportation YOU Scholarship in the amount of $5,000 is Serena Sharma.
Serena Sharma is a senior at Samuel V. Champion High School in Boerne, Texas. She plans to major in Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin this fall. This career has always stood out to her because her great uncle, dad, and uncle are all Civil Engineers. Outside of school, Ms. Sharma enjoys playing tennis. She has competed for her school’s tennis team for four years and made many friends. She enjoys being with her family, friends, and dog in her free time. This scholarship is significant because it will assist her in pursuing her career goals.
Friends of WTS Scholarship
The recipient of the WTS Heart of Texas Foundation Graduate Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 is Lauren Niclair.
Lauren Niclair is a senior attending Westlake High School in Austin, Texas. She enjoys competitive swimming, cross country, and leading girls in STEM-related activities through her club, Girls Who Code! Ms. Niclair is passionate about growing the number of women interested in STEM-related fields. Ms. Niclair plans to major in electrical engineering and is still undecided on which college she will attend. Afterwards, she plans on commissioning into the U.S. Air Force as a fighter pilot and aeronautical engineer. She hopes to fly an F-22 fighter plane and work to design and develop aircraft-related systems.
Friends of WTS Scholarship
The recipient of the Friends of WTS Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 is Olivia Higgins.
Olivia Higgins is a senior at McNeil High School and an aspiring civil engineer with a passion for sustainable design. She brings her curiosity and drive into all areas of her life, whether in engineering, music, or academics. Outside her studies, she enjoys cooking, weightlifting, running, and playing saxophone.
Her interest in engineering developed through hands-on experiences such as the ACE mentorship program, STEM competitions, and an internship at Elysium Robotics. Olivia has collaborated on projects like developing natural-disaster-resilient beach resorts and exploring adaptive reuse for the Seaholm Intake Facility, creating solutions that strengthen communities.
Olivia will attend the University of Texas at Austin to study civil engineering, focusing on sustainable urban infrastructure. She looks forward to using her skills to design systems that support our changing world and is grateful for the support of the WTS Scholarship, which will help her reach her academic and professional goals.
Questions about the scholarship materials or the application process?
Don't hesitate to get in touch with the Heart of Texas Scholarship Co-Chairs at [email protected] and [email protected] or by phone:
Brittani Kaim at 737-703-3863
Stephen Johnson at 512-485-0030