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WTS Philadelphia proudly awards scholarships to outstanding students from high school through graduate school who are passionate about pursuing careers in transportation. These highly competitive awards recognize students for their academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to advancing the future of transportation. This year, we awarded a total of $25,000 in scholarships to support and celebrate the next generation of transportation leaders and innovators.

Daisy Jung

Drexel University       

WTS Philadelphia Ally and Inclusion Scholarship

Born in Los Angeles and raised in Seoul, South Korea, I grew up in a modest neighborhood surrounded by landfills and fabric factories, where this environment shaped my early awareness of urban infrastructure and the need for thoughtful care of it. Despite the less desirable living conditions with limited infrastructure, Seoul’s efficient bus and subway networks enabled me to travel safely to school and volunteer activities, which piqued my interest in public transportation. At the age of sixteen, I made the independent decision to move back to the United States to complete high school and pursue greater educational opportunities, and I stayed in Allentown, Pennsylvania, where transit options were extremely limited. A year of living experience in a rural area in PA taught me how important accessible infrastructure is to the community. I am now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at Drexel University, with a focus on water systems and sustainable transportation infrastructure. My work experience with SEPTA’s civil design team deepened my passion for the field, as I worked on stormwater management systems along railway corridors. This solidified my commitment to improving the resilience of urban transit networks as a future engineer. 

In her own words, Daisy shares more about her journey and goals:

1. What inspired you to pursue your current field of study or career path?

Growing up in South Korea, I was deeply inspired by my grandfather, a construction manager and architect who frequently showed me his contributions to the community. Witnessing his pride in his work instilled in me a desire to build things that meaningfully enhance people's lives. Combined with my daily reliance on public transit, pursuing civil engineering became a natural choice to focus on designing and improving urban infrastructure.

2. What does receiving this scholarship mean to you?

Receiving this scholarship means a great deal to me as I work to secure the financial resources needed to complete my education. As a self-sufficient senior, I have supported myself financially for the past seven years. This scholarship significantly eases my financial burden during my final year of college, allowing me to focus on completing my bachelor’s degree, which is a vital milestone as I prepare to launch my career in transportation engineering.

3. Why do you think transportation is important to communities?

Transportation is a foundational pillar of vibrant communities. Beyond mitigating critical urban challenges like parking scarcity, traffic congestion, and vehicle emissions, effective transit networks are essential for good social connectivity. They allow individuals to smoothly engage with their local communities and access neighboring regions. By enhancing infrastructure (introducing high-speed rail, improving system operations, and implementing sustainable designs), we can create a more accessible and resilient urban environment.