Scholarships
Each year, the WTS Puget Sound Chapter is honored to award tens of thousands of dollars to several deserving women and non-binary students pursuing careers in the transportation industry. These students are talented, driven, and passionate about transportation, and we are thrilled to help them achieve their goals. The scholarship recipients will be recognized and presented with their awards during the annual WTS Puget Sound Gala on April 3, 2025 at the Hyatt Regency Seattle. Some scholarship recipients may also be eligible to be nominated by the Chapter for additional WTS International awards.
Although this event is sold out, you can still support the WTS Foundation by participating in our online auction or by becoming a Gala sponsor to help honor the people, agencies, and firms Making Waves in transportation — including this year's scholarship winners listed below.
Scholarship winners
- Bridgette Beato Leadership Legacy Scholarship: Ysabel Yu
- Transportation YOU Scholarship: Agnes Hale
- Junior College/Trade School Scholarship: Sienna Pfluke
- Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship: Nishanthi Perera
- WTS Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates: Zeke Cohn
- Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship: Hannah Stuart
- Professor Scott Rutherford Memorial Scholarship: Shakiba Naderian
- Shawna Mulhall Memorial Scholarship: Mira-Sade Malden
- Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship: Catherine Schmidt
- Jemae Hoffman Memorial Scholarship: Margarita Aguado
Scholarships include:
Bridgettte Beato Leadership Legacy Scholarship
WTS launched the Leadership Legacy Scholarship in 2007. Through this award, WTS provides a $7,000 scholarship to an outstanding young woman or non-binary person pursuing graduate studies working toward a career in transportation or a related field, and who demonstrates a specific interest in advancing transportation innovation.
The Bridgette Beato Leadership Legacy Fund honors the past, present, and future leaders of WTS by awarding an annual scholarship to graduate students 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. The award focuses on women who demonstrate leadership in bringing ideas, innovation, and innovative approaches to transportation challenges in the US and beyond. It includes candidates who have a specific interest in addressing the impact of transportation on sustainability, land use, environmental impact, security, and quality of life issues affecting communities around the globe.
The minimum criteria for selection are:
- A women or non-binary person with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in a transportation-related field, such as transportation planning or engineering, security planning, business management, finance, or logistics with a focus on public policy.
- Plans to pursue a career in a transportation-related field.
- Demonstrated interest in addressing transportation studies issues.
Submission of a personal statement of 500 words or less highlighting the candidate's interest in transportation-related fields, relevant experiences and interests, and how this award will contribute to the candidate’s ability to make a meaningful contribution in the transportation arena.
Notes:
- The Bridget Beato Leadership Legacy Scholarship is $7,000.
Transportation YOU Scholarship
WTS fosters the development of women, girls and non-binary persons in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals and students to undertake careers in the area of transportation. One way it does this is by awarding the WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship to girls or non-binary youth pursuing high school studies in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Transportation YOU is a hands-on, interactive, mentoring program that offers young girls and non-binary youth 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 and non-binary youth by offering opportunities and activities that will spark their interest in all modes of transportation and encourage them to take courses in math, science, and technology, which are the stepping stones to exciting careers that can change the face of the transportation industry.
The minimum criteria for selection are:
- Applicant must be a high school senior
- GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Currently studying math, science, and technology
- Considering a college degree in a transportation-related field
Notes:
- The WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship is $3,000.
Junior College/Trade School Scholarship
WTS fosters the development of women and non-binary persons in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in transportation. One way it does this is by awarding community, technical, or trade college scholarships to women or non-binary persons pursuing transportation-related study at community and trade colleges.
This scholarship is intended for students pursuing an associate or technical degree in transportation-related studies.
The minimum criteria for selection are:
- A women or non-binary person with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Currently enrolled in a technical training or degree program in a transportation-related field.
- Plans to pursue a career in a transportation-related field.
Notes:
- 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 WTS Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship was established in 1981 by WTS International to encourage women and non-binary persons to pursue career paths in transportation. The scholarship is awarded to women or non-binary persons pursuing graduate studies in transportation or a related field.
In memory of Helene M. Overly, the first Executive Secretary of WTS, the Board of Directors voted to name the annual WTS graduate scholarship the Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship to honor Helene for her dedicated service to WTS. Helene became a WTS member in 1981. She brought with her 15 years of experience in public service, tremendous organizational abilities, and a spirit of determination that helped WTS nearly double its membership in two years.
The minimum criteria for selection are:
- A woman or non-binary person with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Currently enrolled in a graduate degree program in a transportation-related field, such as transportation engineering, planning, finance, or logistics.
- Plans to pursue a career in a transportation-related field.
Notes:
- The WTS Helene M. Overly Memorial Scholarship is $10,000.
- Local winners’ applications may be sent to Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International for additional award consideration.
WTS Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates
Part of the WTS goal of fostering the development of women and non-binary persons in the transportation field can be realized by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in the area of transportation. The WTS Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is awarded to women or non-binary persons pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field who demonstrate leadership skills, ability, and interest.
The purpose of the WTS Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is to motivate and reward women and non-binary persons who demonstrate leadership in the transportation industry. The leadership, skills, and perspectives of women and non-binary persons are essential to assure that the transportation systems of the future respond to the needs of all. Leadership does not just happen. Leaders personally invest and risk much. They must take on struggles that many would avoid and persevere to reach successful outcomes. These qualities should receive special attention in the selection of the award winner.
The minimum criteria for selection are:
- A woman or non-binary person with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in a transportation- related field, such as transportation engineering, planning, finance, or logistics.
- Plans to pursue a career in a transportation-related field.
Applicants for the Molitoris Leadership Scholarship must specifically address the issue of leadership on their personal statement.
Notes:
- The Molitoris Leadership Scholarship is $7,000.
- 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
WTS fosters the development of women and non-binary persons in the transportation field by encouraging bright new professionals to undertake careers in the area of transportation. One way it does this is by awarding the WTS Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship to women or non-binary persons pursuing undergraduate studies in transportation or a related field.
The scholarship honors Sharon D. Banks, chief executive officer of AC Transit in Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District in Oakland, California. As its CEO throughout most of the 1990’s, Banks led the agency in a pioneering effort to introduce cultural and organizational changes aimed at motivating the public transit workforce. She was a member of the WTS Advisory Board and received the WTS San Francisco Chapter Woman of the Year and Employer of the Year awards.
The minimum criteria for selection are:
- A woman or non-binary person with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in a transportation- related field, such as transportation engineering, planning, finance, or logistics.
- Plans to pursue a career in a transportation-related field.
Notes:
- The Sharon D. Banks Memorial Scholarship is $7,000.
- 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 and non-binary persons 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. He saw education as the great equalizer and understood the importance of gender equity and diversity within the engineering profession and transportation fields. He saw that recruitment, development, and investment in students from a diverse background ensured the long‐term success and viability of the larger vision he had of public transit.
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.
The minimum criteria for selection are as follows:
- A woman or non-binary person currently enrolled at the University of Washington in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in a transportation‐related field, such as transportation engineering, planning, finance, or logistics.
- Plans to pursue a career in a transportation‐related field.
- Has a financial need‐based reason for applying.
Notes:
- 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 and non-binary persons 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 valued mentoring, believing we are all responsible for each other; generosity and giving with your heart; adventure and trying new things; contributing value and striving for excellence; really listening; and living a full life with dedication to family, community, arts, expression, and nature. 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. She made significant sacrifices to put herself through college. She was a natural leader in transportation in a number of private and public roles in the Northwest. Shawna was devoted to helping other women.
The Shawna Mulhall Scholarship supports the WTS goal of fostering the development of women and non-binary persons in the transportation field, and is meant to address the needs of women and non-binary persons who face financial challenges to pursue their education.The minimum criteria for selection are as follows:
- Open to women or non-binary person pursuing higher education with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in a transportation-related field, such as transportation engineering, planning, finance or logistics
- Plans to pursue a career in a transportation-related field
- Has a financial need-based reason for applying.
- Is a Washington State resident, is attending a college in Washington State, or has an internship in Washington State.
Notes:
- The Shawna Mulhall Memorial Scholarship is in the amount of $7,000.
- 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 and non-binary persons 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. In 1989 Cathy was awarded the WTS Puget Sound Woman of the Year for Achievement in Transportation and in 2010 she was awarded Member of the Year. During Cathy’s 34 year career at WSP she founded and grew the Seattle Transportation Planning Group, making it into the company’s largest planning group outside of the corporate headquarters. Cathy and her team provided leadership on many of the transportation projects that have shaped the Puget Sound Region, including the Downtown Transit Tunnel, the SR 520 Bridge Replacement, the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement, and all of Sound Transit’s long range and system plans.
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. It is an award acknowledging the student’s potential to take a leadership role in meeting our transportation planning needs for future generations.
The minimum criteria for selection are as follows:
- A woman or non-binary person currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in a transportation planning-related field, including policy, public administration, finance, or logistics located in the Pacific Northwest.
- Plans to pursue a career in a transportation planning-related field.
- A statement about your career goals after graduation and why you think that you should receive the scholarship award. Statement should not exceed 500 words. Please attach to your application form as a typed document.
Notes:
- The Cathy Strombom Memorial Scholarship is in the amount of $5,000.
Jemae Hoffman Memorial Scholarship
The Jemae Hoffman Memorial Scholarship has been established by the Puget Sound Chapter of WTS to motivate women and non-binary persons to pursue career paths related to sustainable, climate-friendly urban transportation.
Jemae Hoffman dedicated her entire career – and a significant percentage of her unrelenting life-energy – to advancing sustainable, climate-friendly, urban transportation solutions. This included high-impact stints as executive director of the Transportation Choices Coalition, sustainable transportation and climate change lead at the Seattle Department of Transportation, and development manager at Sound Transit, where she led the complex effort to extend light rail to Federal Way and the east side of Lake Washington. In addition, Jemae was an avid cyclist and a passionate advocate for active transportation. She also served as president of CoolMom.org, was a board member at Bike Works in addition to supporting many other civic and community initiatives.
The Jemae Hoffman Memorial Scholarship is not determined solely on test scores or grades, but on a passion for the field of sustainable transportation, a strong work ethic and a passion for advocacy. It is an award acknowledging the student’s potential to take a leadership role in advancing sustainable, climate-friendly transportation solutions.
The minimum criteria for selection are as follows:
- A person who identifies as female or non-binary and:
- Is currently enrolled at any institution of higher learning in the State of Washington in an undergraduate or graduate degree program in a transportation‐related field, such as transportation policy, engineering, planning, finance, or logistics.
- Plans to pursue a career in a transportation‐related field.
- Has a financial need‐based reason for applying.
Notes:
- The Jemae Hoffman Memorial Scholarship is in the amount of $5,000.
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