WTS Philadelphia Scholarship: Student Spotlights: Julia Thornton

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.

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Julia Thornton

Rowan University

Suzanne Axworthy Undergraduate Scholarship      

Julia Thornton is a civil and environmental engineering student at Rowan University, set to graduate in May 2026 with a 3.8 GPA and multiple academic honors, including the Ralph Alan Dusseau Medallion Award, Outstanding Sophomore Award, and Highest GPA in her first-year class. She has contributed to research on coastal landfill vulnerability, developing hydrological models to predict stormwater impacts along New Jersey’s coast. Julia’s passion for engineering is fueled by her love of art, science, and math, as well as the inspiration she draws from her father, a civil engineer, and her late brother, who was also pursuing the field. She has gained hands-on experience through internships at Remington & Vernick Engineers and Modjeski & Masters, working on municipal road construction projects and bridge design. Julia’s career interests focus on structural and transportation engineering, particularly bridge design and construction. Committed to collaboration and problem-solving, she strives to use her skills and leadership experience to create meaningful, lasting improvements to society’s infrastructure.

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

My dad was my main inspiration for pursuing an education in civil engineering. I grew up watching him improve our town’s roads, fix our beaches, and help build playgrounds. Seeing the direct impact of his work showed me how engineering can positively affect everyday lives. Throughout college, I was further inspired by my professors and professionals in the field whose passion for education, science, and community improvement motivated me to keep going. Over time, I also fell in love with the problem-solving and teamwork aspects of engineering, as well as the opportunity to work on projects that have a direct and lasting impact on people’s daily lives.

2. What does receiving this scholarship mean to you?

Receiving this scholarship is a huge honor and very encouraging, especially for a woman entering a traditionally male-dominated field who has sometimes doubted herself. It is inspiring to see women supporting each other and achieving such incredible things. This scholarship motivates me to continue working hard and to encourage other students who may feel the same doubts I once did, showing them that they belong in this field and that their contributions matter. It also provides meaningful support as I continue my education and prepare for a career in civil engineering, allowing me to focus on learning, professional growth, and making a positive impact in the communities that had such a positive impact on me.

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

Transportation is one of the most important parts of a community because it supports connectivity, accessibility, and economic growth. Growing up, I was fortunate to have a bike path in my community, which gave me a safe, accessible way to travel to school, visit friends, and get around independently as a kid. Not every community has access to this kind of transportation, and that can limit opportunities for education, work, and essential services. Transportation systems should be designed to be safe, efficient, and accessible so that everyone in a community has the same opportunities to succeed.