Scholarships
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Scholarship Overview:
The Houston Chapter of WTS will award seven scholarships in 2024-2025, for a total of $23,000.00. These scholarships are made possible through generous contributions from our corporate members, generous benefactors, fundraising at the Annual Scholarship & Awards Gala, and commitment of our members to support future transportation professionals. The scholarships are presented below.
The scholarships are competitive and are based on the applicant’s interest and commitment to a career in the transportation industry. The scholarship review committee assesses each applicants involvement in the field, future career goals, how she demonstrates aspects of the scholarship (i.e. leadership or research), and academic record. Minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Past applicants have backgrounds in engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical and environmental), urban planning, public policy, public safety, emergency response, logistics, and real estate. If you would like to know if your major is in a transportation-related field and if you are eligible to apply, please e-mail one of the scholarship co-chairs! We strongly encourage anyone interested in a career in the transportation industry to apply.
All chapters forward their local scholarship award winners for six scholarships to WTS International to compete for the national award. The WTS International scholarships are as follows: Helene M. Overly Graduate ($10,000.00); Leadership Legacy Graduate ($5,000.00); Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate ($5,000.00); Molitoris Leadership for Undergraduates ($5,000.00); Community College/Technical/Trade School ($2,500.00); and Transportation YOU High School ($2,500.00). The local and International scholarships are based on the same criteria in order to maximize the changes that a given applicant can win both awards. Eligible students should first submit their application to WTS Houston, and one nominee will be forwarded to WTS International. In addition to the local scholarships, WTS International offers several strategic partner scholarships, and those applications can be found here.
The SIX local WTS scholarships are:
Houston Chapter - Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship
Encourages women to pursue career paths in transportation. This $7,000 scholarship is awarded to women pursuing graduate studies in transportation or a related field.
Houston Chapter - Sharon D. Banks Undergraduate Scholarship
Fosters the development of women in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in transportation. This award is for $6,000.
Houston Chapter - Community College/Technical/Trade School Scholarship
Fosters the development of women in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in transportation. This award is for $3,500.
Houston Chapter - Transportation YOU High School Scholarship
Fosters the development of women and girls in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in transportation. This award is for $3,500.
Houston Chapter – Bridgette Beato Leadership Legacy Scholarship
For graduate students who are the future leaders of transportation and who demonstrate interest in advancing transportation innovation. This award is for $1,000.
Houston Chapter - Molitoris Leadership Scholarship
For undergraduate students in transportation or related field who demonstrate leadership skills, ability and interest. This award is for $1,000.
Eligible Colleges and Universities for Houston Chapter Scholarships:
Alvin Community College, Blinn College, Brazosport College, College of the Mainland, Del Mar College, Houston Christian University, Houston Community College System, Lamar University, Lee College, Lone Star College System, Prairie View A&M University, Rice University, Sam Houston State University, San Jacinto Community College, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University – Galveston, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Texas Technical College, The Victoria College, University of Houston, University of Houston Clearlake, University of Houston Downtown, University of Houston Sugar Land, University of Saint Thomas, and Warton County Junior College
If you are working on an advanced degree (i.e. MBA) through a University that is not mentioned above, but has a Houston branch, please apply!
2023-2024 Houston Chapter Scholarship Winners
Helene Overly Memorial Scholarship: Musfira Rahman, Texas A&M University, PhD in Transportation Engineering
Paula Hammond Leadership Legacy: Sania Pirouzi, Texas Southern University, Masters in Transportation Planning and Management
Sharon D Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship: Claire Dean, Rice University, B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates: Alexis Howard, University of Houston - Downtown, B.S. Supply Chain Management
Transportation YOU High School Scholarship: Madison Ferrow, Katy High School
DEC Engineering Excellence Endowed Scholarship: Alejandra Jimenez, Rice University, B.S. in Civil Engineering
Junior College/Trade School Scholarship: No Applications received.
2022-2023 Houston Chapter Scholarship Winners
Helene Overly Memorial Scholarship: Disha Chaturvedi, Texas A&M University
Paula Hammond Leadership Legacy: Olajumoke “Lizzy” Omosebi, Texas Southern University
Sharon D Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship: Dorimekka Jacquelyn Nichols, Texas Southern University
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates: Kameelah Muhammad, Texas Southern University
Transportation YOU High School Scholarship: Sally Tram-Anh Nguyen, Harmony School of Advancement
2021-2022 Houston Chapter Scholarship Winners
Helene Overly Memorial Scholarship: Jiahe “Jane” Bian, Texas A&M University
Leadership Legacy: Anatha Sai Sreelekha Gudimella, Texas A&M University
Sharon D Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship: Carolina Graca, Texas Southern University
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates: Rut Rosario, Prairie View A&M
Transportation YOU High School Scholarship: Haya Allaham, Energy Institute High School
2020-2021 Houston Chapter Scholarship Winners
Helene Overly Memorial Scholarship: Sky Guo, Texas A&M University
Leadership Legacy: Sumnima Singh, University of Houston
Sharon D Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship: Sydney Jones, Prairie View A&M
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates: Sydney Jones, Prairie View A&M
Junior College/Trade School Scholarship: Tien Nguyen, Houston Community College
Transportation YOU High School Scholarship: Rhea Phatak, Michael E. DeBakey High School
2019-2020 Houston Chapter Scholarship Winners
Houston Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship: Jinli Liu – Texas Southern University
Houston Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship: Tessa Miller - Texas A&M University
Houston Community College/Technical/Trade School Scholarship: Anna Vilorio - Houston Community College
Houston Transportation YOU Scholarship: Ashley Lane - Clear Springs High School
WTSI Leadership Legacy Scholarship Nominee: Sky Guo - Texas A&M University
WTSI Molitoris Scholarship Nominee: Kara Permenter - University of Houston
2018-2019 Houston Chapter Scholarship Winners
Houston Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship: Farinoush Sharifi – Texas A&M University
Houston Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship: Samantha Vail - Texas A&M University
Houston Transportation YOU Scholarship: Nicole Mut - Mirabeau B. Lamar High School; Madeline Demny - Magnolia High School
2017-2018 Houston Chapter Scholarship Winners
Houston Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship: Sirajum Munira – Texas A&M University
Houston Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship: Jesica Rubio - Texas A&M University
Houston Transportation YOU Scholarship: Jasmine Huang - Bellaire Senior High School
2016-2017 Houston Chapter Scholarship Winners
Helene M. Overly Graduate Scholarship: Nelida Herrera – Louisiana State University
Sharon D. Banks Undergraduate Scholarship: Rikki Vela - Texas A&M University
Transportation YOU Scholarship: Paula Villagrano-Ocasio - YES Prep West
2015 Houston Chapter Scholarship Winners
Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship: Qing Li - Texas Southern University
Sharon D. Banks Undergraduate Scholarship: Julia Ross – University of Louisiana at Lafayette
2014 Houston Chapter Scholarship Winners
Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship: Lorena Garcia Cucalon - Texas A&M University
Sharon D. Banks Undergraduate Scholarship: Kaitlynn Simmons - Texas A&M University
2013 Houston Chapter Scholarship Winners
Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship: Grace Arthur - Texas Southern University
Sharon D. Banks Undergraduate Scholarship: Rebecca Jensen - University of New Orleans
2012 Houston Chapter Scholarship Winners
Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship: Lisa Larsen - Texas A&M University
Sharon D. Banks Undergraduate Scholarship: Anamaria Torres - Louisiana Tech University