Congratulations to the WTSI Strategic Partner and WTS Foundation 2025 Scholarship Winners
The WTS Foundation is proud to announce the 2025 scholarship recipients! This remarkable group of young leaders has each received a highly competitive scholarship to further their education and pursue their passions in transportation.
We are excited to honor this year’s scholarship recipients at the Scholarships and Award Gala, held during the 2025 WTSI Annual Conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, from May 7th to 9th. Join us at the conference to celebrate this year’s scholarship winners!
Strategic Partner Scholarships
Thank you to WTS International Pinnacle and Strategic Level Corporate Partners HNTB, AECOM, HDR, Jacobs, and WSP for their generosity, which supports our Strategic Partner Scholarships.
HNTB Strategic Partner Scholarship
Thalia Christoforatos, Northeastern University
Thalia is a third-year undergraduate at Northeastern University, studying Civil Engineering and Computer Science. Growing up relying on New York City’s public transit, she recognized early on the critical role transportation plays in social and environmental justice. Throughout her academic journey, Thalia has developed her experience in the field with two transportation-focused co-ops—first in track design at HNTB Corporation and currently in research and public works in collaboration with the Town of Brookline and Northeastern University. In addition, she is a dedicated student leader with Engineers Without Borders at Northeastern. Thalia is honored to be named a WTS Strategic Partner Scholarship recipient and eager to further her commitment to creating sustainable, accessible, and efficient transportation systems for all.
HNTB Strategic Partner Scholarship
Veronica De Santos Quezada, University of California-Los Angeles
Veronica De Santos Quezada is a first-generation Mexican-American and graduate student pursuing a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning at UCLA. Her focus is on transportation planning, where she advances equitable mobility through community-centered engagement. She began her career in community engagement and now works as a Transportation Planner I, supporting projects that prioritize equity and accessibility. Veronica has interned with accessibility-focused initiatives and spoken at international forums, including the U.N. Forum of Mayors, where she advocated for greater representation of minorities in government. She is committed to creating inclusive transportation systems that serve historically underserved communities and promote environmental justice.
AECOM Strategic Partner Scholarship
Yasmine AL Moghrabi, Florida International University
Yasmine Al Moghrabi is a Ph.D. Candidate in Transportation Engineering at Florida International University and a passionate young road safety leader. She holds two master's degrees: an M.S. in Road Safety Management and an M.S. in Highway, Transportation, and Traffic Engineering. Her research expertise includes traffic simulation modeling, traffic operations, and safety. She has taken leadership roles in student chapters. Yasmine's impactful contributions have earned her global acclaim, including her selection as the ASCE Florida Section Graduate Student of the Year 2023, ASCE Outstanding Young Member for Community Activities, Regional Youth Leader of Road Safety in North America, and her recognition as one of the Remarkable Feminist Voices in Transport 2023. She is committed to making a meaningful and inspiring impact on the community through her Instagram “Road Safety by Yasmine” and is involved in a variety of events that pertain to sustainable development goals, engineering, and road safety.
HDR Strategic Partner Scholarship
Francisca Kasubi, Florida International University
Francisca Kasubi is a Ph.D. candidate in Transportation Engineering at Florida International University. She holds an M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of North Florida and a B.S. from Ardhi University in Tanzania. Her research focuses on leveraging real-time data and applying data-driven, statistical, and machine-learning techniques to enhance highway safety and optimize traffic operations. She has contributed to multiple FDOT-sponsored projects related to TSM&O, connected vehicles, traffic incident management, and large-scale data analysis. Francisca is actively involved in leadership and professional organizations. She currently serves as President of the ITE FIU and Chi Epsilon student chapters and Co-chair of the WTS South Florida University Liaison Committee. She previously served as President of the WTS FIU student chapter (2022–2023). Passionate about mentorship, volunteering and community service, Francisca is committed to making a lasting impact in transportation and STEM fields, promoting equity, innovation, and meaningful change.
Jacobs Strategic Partner Scholarship
Adrianna Lucia Fragozo Alvernia, University of New Mexico
Adrianna Fragozo is a Ph.D. student at the University of New Mexico. Her research focuses on public transportation technology solutions for accessible and equitable transportation in rural areas. She participated in previous research in safety, sustainable mobility, and travel behavior at the National University of Colombia and Purdue University.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Adrianna has worked as a consultant in transportation planning, contributing to long-range transportation plans, transport electrification efforts, safe and accessible routes for children, and feasibility studies for intermodal centers.
In her free time, Adrianna mentors K-12 girls interested in STEM fields and helps undergraduate students engage in transportation-related research. She is also involved in an art-science collaboration that seeks to raise public awareness and improve perceptions of the positive impact of public transportation on communities.
WSP Strategic Partner Scholarship
Kennedy Stephens, Howard University
Kennedy Stephens is a civil engineering student at Howard University, graduating in May 2027. She has earned Dean’s List honors for Spring and Fall 2024 and continues to excel academically and professionally. For the 2025–2026 academic year, Kennedy has been elected President of the Howard University Chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and Secretary of the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) Student Council. During the 2024–2025 school year, she served as the Public Relations Chair for Howard’s NSBE chapter, helping promote engagement and visibility across campus. She is also a member of the Howard University Steel Bridge Team. Kennedy completed a Summer 2024 internship with the Michigan Department of Transportation in Lansing and will intern with HNTB in Detroit in Summer 2025, focusing on sustainable transportation solutions. With a passion for leadership, innovation, and infrastructure development, Kennedy is committed to making a lasting impact in civil engineering and uplifting her academic community.
WTS Foundation Scholarships
Sharon D. Banks Memorial Undergraduate Scholarship
Claudia Boero, Mercer University
My name is Claudia Boero, and I am currently a Junior Biomedical Engineering student at Mercer University. I am currently conducting research within the field of transportation engineering, with a focus on enhancing accessibility for individuals with disabilities. I aspire to continue my academic journey by pursuing a Master's in Biomedical Engineering at Mercer University.
I am particularly excited to further my research under the mentorship of Dr. Eazaz Sadeghvaziri, exploring innovative solutions in transportation engineering. Outside of my studies, I am passionate about hiking, exploring the outdoors, and spending quality time with my friends. I also dedicate my weekends to volunteering and participating in a variety of research projects on campus.
I am incredibly grateful and honored to have received the Sharon Banks Scholarship Award, which has been a significant milestone in my academic journey.
Helene M. Overly Memorial Graduate Scholarship
Zhichen Lui, University of Michigan
Zhichen Liu is a Ph.D. student in Civil Engineering at the University of Michigan. Zhichen Liu’s research aims to advance modeling and decision-making in smart transportation systems, driven by challenges related to connectivity, electrification, and automation. She has first-authored publications in top transportation journals, including Transportation Science and Transportation Research Part C. Zhichen Liu was awarded with Rackham Predoctoral Fellowship for excellence in her Ph.D. research.
Molitoris Leadership Scholarship for Undergraduates
Madison Masters, Oklahoma State University
I began college with no background or family in construction, project management just sounded interesting to me. I was the President of OSU's Construction Management Society, which has been awarded AGC’s Emerging Student Chapter Award and Community Service Award.
I organize small gatherings with Dr. Amy Lewis as a way to allow our female students of all stages in their education to meet and get to know other people like themselves. I served as Team Lead for our team in the TEXO ASC Region 5 Concrete Solutions division, where we won 1st place in 2024 and 2nd place in 2025.
I have interned with Mid-Continental Restoration, Willowbrook, and Flintco. I have accepted a full-time job working for Manhattan Road and Bridge starting this summer. I currently work on campus as an Ambassador for the College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology, where I give tours of our undergraduate engineering laboratory.
Bridgette Beato Leadership Legacy Scholarship for Graduates
Claire McGinnis, University of California - Davis
Claire, a Ph.D. student in the Transportation Technology and Policy program at UC Davis, researches transportation equity and mobility justice. Before graduate school, she worked as a transportation engineer in Maryland and her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During this time, her passion for sustainable and equitable transportation grew as she became involved with the WTS Pittsburgh Chapter and the Complete Streets Advisory Committee in Pittsburgh. Claire is committed to advancing women and other underrepresented groups in STEM fields, volunteering with organizations dedicated to this mission throughout her academic and professional career. She recently completed her Master’s thesis focused on understanding how accessibility metrics can be used to assess gender inequities in transportation. As a Ph.D. student, she will continue to focus on transportation equity and mobility justice and contribute to the research aimed at understanding how the transportation industry can correct the injustices caused by the historic transportation planning processes.
Junior College/Trade School Scholarship
Caitlin Schuldt, Aims Community College (Flight Center)
For Caitlin Schuldt, aviation is more than just flying—it’s about expanding opportunities for others. A Colorado native with a love for adventure, she took her first discovery flight and was instantly hooked. Now pursuing an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aviation and Professional Flight, she is working toward her goal of becoming a corporate pilot.
Outside the cockpit, Caitlin is passionate about making aviation more accessible. She mentors young women through Girls in Aviation Day and Preflight Camp, helps fund fellow students' attendance at industry conferences, and brings hands-on STEM education to communities through a mobile aviation lab. Her goal is to inspire and equip the next generation of pilots, ensuring that those with a passion for aviation have the guidance and resources to succeed.
She is honored to receive this scholarship from WTS and looks forward to continuing her efforts to grow the industry and support future aviators.
WTS Transportation YOU High School Scholarship
Trisha Patel, Folsom High School
Trisha Patel is a senior at Folsom High School with a strong passion for transportation and structural engineering. As president of her school's UNICEF Club and a volunteer with the Folsom Teen Council, California Scholarship Federation, and We Embrace, Trisha is dedicated to leadership and service. She is particularly excited to contribute to advancements in transportation infrastructure, ensuring safer and more efficient mobility for developing communities. Trisha’s interest in the field is inspired by her experiences job-shadowing civil engineers at local firms and competing in local programs like the Urban Plan Competition and the CREATE Mentoring Program with her peers. In the fall, she will attend California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, majoring in civil engineering, where she aims to explore sustainable and innovative engineering solutions.
Congratulations again to this year’s scholarship winners! Last year, the WTS Foundation provided over $800,000 to students to support their transportation-related studies. Help the WTS Foundation continue raising the bar by donating today. Learn more about the incredible work of the Foundation and make a donation here.