Student Chapter & Scholarship 

To celebrate back to school season, we are highlighting the Student Chapter and Scholarship committees. The Student Chapter and Scholarship committees fall under the larger WTS Philadelphia Student Outreach umbrella. These committees work with students from high school to PHD level to provide opportunities, support, and guidance for careers in the transportation industry. 

 

Student Chapter Committee

The Student Chapter builds a network of undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students across the many universities in the Greater Philadelphia region and is led by professional Co-Chairs and a student board who all work together to provide valuable events for students in the area. 

The Student Chapter hosts professional development events such as mock interviews, resume reviews, and panel sessions as well as events and programs focused on building relationships and mentorship. The Student Chapter highlights project and construction tours for students to learn about relevant industry projects and connect to transportation professionals. 

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Meet the committee!

 

Cory Wyffels, Co-Chair

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Cory Wyffels, a structural engineer at WSP focusing on bridge design and inspection, has been involved with the WTS Philadelphia Student Chapter as a co-chair for three terms. Cory has enjoyed mentoring students and young professionals as well as providing students with professional development and networking opportunities. Introducing students to the industry and watching them grow and excel has been extremely rewarding. Cory also is currently on the DEI committee and previously was involved in the Special Projects committee. 

 

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Blaire Miran, Co-Chair

Blaire Miran is a Structural Engineer at AECOM, specializing in Bridge Inspection and Load Rating. With four years of experience as a co-chair of the WTS Philadelphia Student Chapter, she is passionate about empowering students and facilitating their access to valuable networking opportunities within the industry. Blaire is committed to fostering engagement in the WTS Student Chapter program, aiming to support as many deserving students as possible each year.

 

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Belen Labarta Galan, Incoming Co-Chair

Belen Labarta is a Structural Engineering I with AECOM’s Buildings + Places group in Philadelphia. She works on a variety of transportation infrastructure projects, including airports, train and bus stations, tunnels, and marine structures, with experience on projects across the U.S. and internationally. Originally from Spain, Belen grew up living in four different countries, which shaped her interest in different cultures and the ways transportation infrastructure connects people and communities around the world. Outside of work, she enjoys running, attending workout classes, painting, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. 

 

Aashna Jain, Incoming Co-Chair

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Aashna Jain is a transportation planner at WSP with expertise in GIS, data analytics, and data-driven approaches that support transportation planning and decision-making. As the WTS Philadelphia Student Chapter member and incoming Co-Chair, Aashna thoroughly enjoys connecting with emerging professionals through mentoring, networking, and professional development opportunities. Helping students build connections, gain confidence, and navigate their entry into the industry is incredibly valuable. Aashna also finds engaging with students as a meaningful way to stay connected with the fresh ideas and perspectives that they bring to the profession.

 

Scholarship Committee

The WTS Philadelphia Scholarship Committee serves as a bridge between today's transportation professionals and tomorrow's industry leaders, providing financial support, recognition, and opportunities for meaningful engagement within the transportation community. Throughout the year, the committee works to secure scholarship funding, engage industry sponsors, promote opportunities to students across the Greater Philadelphia region, and coordinate a robust review process that ensures applications are evaluated fairly and anonymously. In addition to awarding scholarships, the committee strives to build lasting connections between students and transportation professionals, creating pathways for mentorship, networking, and future involvement with WTS Philadelphia. 

One of the committee's primary goals is to support a "continuum of engagement" for students interested in transportation careers. We work closely with our Transportation YOU and Student Chapter programs to encourage scholarship applicants and recipients to remain involved with WTS as they progress from high school to college and into their professional careers. Each fall, the committee culminates its efforts with the Scholarship Awards and Networking Event, where scholarship recipients, sponsors, industry leaders, and WTS members come together to recognize student achievements and celebrate the future of the transportation industry. 

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We are especially excited to launch the 2026 scholarship season this September, with applications due October 16th, 2026, and look forward to honoring this year's recipients at our annual scholarship event in November.

 

Meet the committee!

 

Theresa Loux, Chair

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Theresa Loux is the Chief Technical Officer at Aero Aggregates of North America, where she leads technical programs, engineering support, research and development, and industry outreach initiatives. With more than 15 years of experience in civil and geotechnical engineering, she specializes in innovative and sustainable infrastructure solutions. Theresa serves as Chair of the WTS Philadelphia Scholarship Committee, where she helps support and encourage the next generation of transportation professionals. She is also actively involved in engineering education and other professional organizations throughout the region. 

 

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Myrlie Taylor, Vice Chair

Myrlie Taylor is a Senior Engineer at Amtrak, where she supports the design review and coordination of infrastructure projects across the rail network. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Drexel University. Myrlie has been involved with WTS Philadelphia since her time as a student and was a recipient of a WTS Philadelphia scholarship in 2019. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the WTS Philadelphia Scholarship Committee, where she enjoys supporting the next generation of women pursuing careers in transportation.