Scholarships
WTS is committed to advancing the careers of women in transportation through education and professional development.
Congratulations to this year's WTS Houston Scholarship Winners!
Helene Overly Memorial Scholarship of $7,000: Jiahe “Jane” Bian, Texas A&M University, Graduate Student in PhD Urban & Regional Sciences
Leadership Legacy of $1,000: Anatha Sai Sreelekha Gudimella, Texas A&M University, Master’s Transportation Planning
Sharon D Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship of $6,000: Carolina Graca, Texas Southern University, BS Maritime Transportation Management & Security
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates of $1,000: Rut Rosario, Prairie View A&M, BA Architecture
Transportation YOU High School Scholarship of $3,500: Haya Allaham, Energy Institute High School
Below are the scholarship offerings this year:
- Undergraduate - Molitoris Scholarship
- Undergraduate - Sharon D. Banks Scholarship
- Graduate - Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship
- Graduate - Leadership Legacy Scholarship
- Jr. College Trade School Scholarship
- High School Seniors - Transportation YOU Scholarship
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. Applications must be submitted through the local Houston chapter as typed word documents.
Scholarship Overview:
To encourage women pursuing careers in transportation, the Houston Chapter of WTS will award six local scholarships. One $7,000 to a graduate student, one $6,000 to an undergraduate student, one $3,500 to a community college/technical/trade school student, and one $3,500 to a high school student. In additional, two students who are selected to represent the Houston Chapter for two WTSI scholarships, Paula Hammond Leadership Legacy Scholarship and Molitoris Leadership Scholarship will be awarded $1,000 each. These scholarships have been made possible through generous contributions from our corporate members and our live and silent auction held at the Annual Scholarship & Awards Event.
Every year, the scholarships are competitive and based on the applicant’s specific transportation involvement and goals, job skills, and academic record. Minority candidates are encouraged to apply. Past applicants have backgrounds in civil, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering, as well as urban planning, public policy, public safety, emergency response and logistics. Any students that may be eligible for the scholarships should apply!
All chapters forward their local scholarship winners to WTS International, which awards greater scholarship amounts in addition to the local award. WTS International has six scholarships: the Helene M. Overly Graduate Scholarship for $10,000; the President’s Legacy Scholarship for Graduates for $5,000; the Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship for $5,000; the Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates for $5,000; the Community College/Technical/Trade School Scholarship for $2,500; and the Transportation YOU High School Scholarship for $2,500. The local and international scholarships are based on the same criteria in order to maximize the chances that the applicant can also win the international scholarship award. Eligible students should submit an application to the local chapter, and one nominee will be forwarded to WTS International.
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 - Paula Hammond 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.
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
TransportationYOU 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
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Eligible Colleges/Universities for Houston Chapter Scholarships
Del Mar College, Houston Community College, Lamar University, Lee College, Prairie View A&M University, Rice University, San Jacinto College, South Texas College, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M International University - Laredo, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University - Galveston, Texas A&M University – Kingsville, Texas Southern University, The Victoria College, University of Houston, University of St. Thomas, University of Texas – Pan American and Wharton County Junior College