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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.

Lynda Lam

Drexel University       

WTS Philadelphia Future of Transportation Scholarship

I am a Vietnamese American queer woman who grew up in Philadelphia, a city that continues to inspire both my identity and my career goals. I am currently pursuing a degree in civil engineering at Drexel University and will be graduating in June 2026. My passion for transportation engineering began during my time at Michael Baker International, where I worked as a Quality Assurance Engineering Intern. In that role, I contributed to projects focused on improving sidewalk accessibility for individuals who use wheelchairs—an experience that deepened my commitment to creating inclusive and equitable transportation systems. Beyond the classroom, I serve as the President of the WTS Student Chapter at Drexel, where I work to support and empower women and underrepresented voices in the transportation industry.

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

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

My passion for civil engineering stems from my love for Philadelphia. Seeing how well-designed streets, bridges, transit systems, and public spaces connect people to their communities inspired me to pursue this field. I want to help shape the city's future by creating infrastructure that enhances mobility, safety, and quality of life for everyone who calls Philadelphia home.

2. What does receiving this scholarship mean to you?

Receiving this scholarship has been both a financial and emotional support. It has helped ease the burden of educational expenses, allowing me to focus on succeeding in my civil engineering studies. Beyond the financial assistance, it has served as a reminder that my hard work and goals are valued. This encouragement has motivated me to continue pursuing my passion for improving communities through engineering and to make the most of the opportunities I have been given.

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

Transportation is important to me because it shapes how people experience their communities. Growing up and spending time in Philadelphia, I saw how streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, and public transit can either connect or isolate people. I am passionate about creating transportation systems that are safe, accessible, and welcoming so that everyone has the ability to move freely and fully participate in their community.