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Scholarships

Applications Now Open for 2022-2023 WTS Scholarships

WTS Puget Sound Chapter is now accepting applications for 2023 financial awards to support women pursuing educational advancement in transportation-related fields. A link to a universal application applicable to all scholarship submissions can be found here. Scholarship descriptions and requirements are provided below. For more information, contact WTSPugetSound.Scholarships@gmail.com.

Scholarship applications are due by Monday January 2, 2023 before 11:59 PM.

Each year, the WTS Puget Sound Chapter recognizes scholars with the talent, drive and passion to pursue careers in the transportation industry with several significant financial awards. The scholarship winners will be recognized and presented with their financial award during our annual gala in spring 2023. Scholarship recipients from each WTS chapter are also eligible for WTS International-level awards, which are presented at the WTSI annual conference in May. Click here to see past scholarship recipients.

This year’s scholarships include

Transportation YOU Scholarship

WTS awards the Transportation YOU Scholarship to girls pursuing high school studies in science, technology, engineering, and math to foster the development of women and girls in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in transportation. 

Transportation YOU is a hands-on, interactive, mentoring program that offers young girls ages 13-18 an introduction to a wide variety of transportation careers. Through the Transportation YOU program and this scholarship, WTS chapters work to make a difference in the lives of young girls by offering opportunities and activities that will spark their interest in all modes of transportation.

Notes:

  • Click here for the Transportation YOU scholarship requirements.
  • The WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship is $1,500.

Junior College/Trade School Scholarship

WTS fosters the development of women in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in transportation. One way we achieve this is by awarding community, technical, or trade college scholarships to women pursuing transportation-related study at community and trade colleges. This scholarship is intended for students pursuing an Associate or technical degree.

Notes:

  • Click here for the Junior College/Trade School scholarship requirements.
  • The Junior College/Trade School Scholarship is $3,000.
  • Local winners’ applications may be sent to Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International for additional award consideration.

Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship

The Helene M. Overly Scholarship was established in 1981 to honor the first Executive Secretary of WTS for her dedicated service to the organization. To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must be enrolled in a graduate degree program in a transportation-related field such as engineering, planning, finance or logistics.

Notes:

  • Click here for the Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate scholarship requirements.
  • The WTS Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship is $6,000.
  • Local winners’ applications may be sent to Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International for additional award consideration.

Leadership Legacy Scholarship for Graduates

The Leadership Legacy Fund has been established to honor the past, present, and future leaders of WTS by awarding an annual scholarship to female graduate students pursuing a career in transportation. Each year, the Leadership Legacy Scholarship will provide a award to a young woman pursuing a career in transportation. Eligible candidates are pursuing graduate degrees in transportation or a related field and demonstrate leadership skills and an active commitment to community service.

Notes:

  • Click here for the Leadership Legacy scholarship requirements.
  • The Leadership Legacy Scholarship is $6,000.
  • Local winners’ applications may be sent to Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International for additional award consideration.
  • See scholarship description for additional minimum criteria.

Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to women pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field and honors Sharon D. Banks, general manager of Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District in Oakland, CA, during most of the 1990's.  She led the agency in a pioneering effort to introduce cultural and organizational changes aimed at motivating the public transit workforce.

Notes:

  • Click here for the Sharon D. Banks Memorial scholarship requirements.
  • The Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship is $6,000.
  • Local winners’ applications may be sent to Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International for additional award consideration.

Professor Scott Rutherford Memorial Scholarship

The Professor Scott Rutherford Memorial Scholarship was established in spring 2018 by the Puget Sound Chapter of WTS to motivate women to pursue career paths related to engineering and transportation. Scott Rutherford saw the promise of public transit and shared his passion with students over the decades he taught at the University of Washington. The Professor Scott Rutherford Memorial Scholarship is not determined solely on test scores or grades but rather passion for the field of transportation, work ethic, and determination. It is an award acknowledging the student’s potential to take a leadership role in meeting our transportation and engineering needs for future generations.

Notes:

  • Click here for the Professor Scott Rutherford Memorial scholarship requirements.
  • The Professor Scott Rutherford Scholarship is in the amount of $5,000.
  • Eligible for University of Washington students.

Shawna Mulhall Memorial Scholarship

The Shawna Mulhall Memorial Scholarship was established in 2007 by the Puget Sound Chapter of WTS to encourage women to pursue career paths in transportation or a related field. This scholarship provides needs-based assistance to students in honor of Shawna’s dedicated service to WTS and the transportation industry. Shawna Mulhall was a woman who overcame obstacles in her life through her connection to others, hard work, and her devotion to build stronger, more vibrant communities through her work in urban and transportation planning. Shawna was devoted to helping other women.

Notes:

  • Click here for the Shawna Mulhall Memorial scholarship requirements.
  • The Shawna Mulhall Memorial Scholarship is in the amount of $6,000.
  • Eligible for Washington state residents or students attending a college in Washington state, or students with an internship in Washington.

Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship

The Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship was established in spring 2019 by the Puget Sound Chapter of WTS to motivate women to pursue career paths related to transportation planning and policy. Cathy Strombom was one of the women leaders who founded the WTS Puget Sound Chapter in 1982; its mission to advance women in transportation kept it close to her heart throughout her career. The Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship is not determined solely on test scores or grades but rather passion for the field of transportation, work ethic, and determination.

Notes:

  • Click here for the Cathy Strombom Memorial scholarship requirements.
  • The Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship is in the amount of $5,000.