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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.

Samantha Marcela Martinez

Thomas Jefferson University

WTS Philadelphia Future of Transportation Award

As a Mexican-American raised in the vibrant city of Philadelphia, I grew up surrounded by rich culture and a strong sense of community. I attended William W. Bodine High School for International Affairs, where I completed the rigorous International Baccalaureate (IB) Program—a comprehensive two-year curriculum that fostered independence, research, and critical thinking. Through the IB’s Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) component, I became actively involved in my school community by joining the National Honor Society, Soccer Club, Softball Club, Visual Arts Club, and tutoring students in Math and French. My IB Visual Arts course, which encouraged exploration of various artistic media, sparked my passion for design and ultimately inspired me to pursue architecture. I am currently studying Architecture at Thomas Jefferson University, where I have consistently made the Dean’s List. I am actively involved in the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMAS) and the American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS), and I am also a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS). My interest in the transportation industry connects to my architectural studies, as growing up in Philadelphia, I have seen firsthand how transportation shapes urban life. I aspire to design spaces that harmonize with the movement and flow of the city of Philadelphia and beyond.

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

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

I’ve always been inspired by the architecture in Philadelphia, which sparked my initial interest in the field. I was drawn to how design shapes the character of a city and influences the way people experience it. My interest in transportation specifically developed during my first year of college through a hands-on internship at an architecture and transportation firm. That experience introduced me to a new side of architecture and helped me find my passion. I see architecture as a creative outlet that allows me to design with purpose and improve the way people experience their everyday environments.

2. What does receiving this scholarship mean to you?

Receiving this scholarship means expanding my opportunities and access to resources within architecture. As a woman from an underrepresented background in this field, it can sometimes feel like a disadvantage, but opportunities like this remind me that my goals are valid and achievable. It is an honor to be supported in continuing my education and pursuing my career in architecture, and this scholarship motivates me to keep pushing forward.

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

Transportation is important to communities because it connects people to opportunities and helps them move beyond their immediate surroundings. It gives people a safe and reliable way to get to work, school, and meet their daily needs. Architecture is a big part of this, because how these systems are designed affects how people experience them. Together, transportation and architecture help create spaces that are accessible and work well for everyone.