November 2024 News from WTS Greater D/FW Chapter 💛

President's Message

I hope this long-awaited cool weather has you ready for holiday season! It's finally time to pull out the jackets and sweaters.

This season also marks the time we start the search for our next class of scholarship recipients. The application period is now open and we are incredibly excited to announce that we will award nearly $35,000 in scholarships at the 2025 Annual Scholarship & Awards Banquet! This achievement would not be possible without the unwavering support of our corporate sponsors, dedicated members, and tireless volunteers. Thanks to each of you, we are able to support the next generation of transportation leaders in achieving their goals. Please remember that the deadline for scholarship applications is December 27. I encourage you to spread the word and ensure that all potential candidates in your network are aware of this opportunity. You can access the application forms in the newsletter below.

Earlier this month, 10 of our chapter leaders attended the WTS International Leadership Summit held in Chicago. There they collaborated with leaders from other chapters and WTSI headquarters staff on new innovations and best practices. They came back from the summit with lots of great energy and ideas to implement in our local chapter as we strive for continual improvement.

To celebrate the end of another successful year, I’d like to extend an invitation to all our members to our annual Holiday Luncheon on December 17. More information on the event as well as how to sign up is included in this e-newsletter. As a thank you for your support this year, the lunch is free for members. Our only request is that you bring an item to benefit the Genesis Women’s Shelter. Domestic abuse cases continue to rise, with Dallas County ranking second and Tarrant County ranking fourth in the state in domestic abuse-related deaths. This is an opportunity to support the great work the Genesis Women’s Shelter does to help families effected by domestic violence. You can find a list of recommended items at the link here: https://www.genesisshelter.org/give-items/.

The WTS Greater D/FW Chapter has much to be thankful for this year—especially each of you!

I wish you all a wonderful Thanksgiving and a joyous holiday season!

Best regards,

Shannon McCord

President, Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter

Developing a growth mindset is a critical component of practicing allyship and leading inclusively. Join our next Professional Development Workshop with Julie Kratz on December 3rd at 1:00 PM ET to learn how to step out of your comfort zone and Cultivate a Growth Mindset.

WTS Connects - A Member Meetup

Create Your Unicorn Career in Transportation with Alaina G. Levine

A Unicorn Career is a customized and authentic career that brings you joy, meaning, AND money. In this energetic session, learn to leverage a data-driven process to grow Your Unicorn Career in Transportation, and harness the power of your unique brilliance to turn your current role into Your Unicorn Job!

Alaina G. Levine is a professional speaker, STEM career coach, corporate comedian, and author of 2 books: Networking for Nerds (Wiley), and Create Your Unicorn Career! (forthcoming). Levine has delivered ~1000 speeches for clients in 15 nations, 35 states, and 5 continents, and her 500+ articles have appeared in Science, Nature, Scientific American, National Geographic News Watch, World Economic Forum, and Smithsonian, including her column, “Your Unicorn Career”. As a career coach, she has helped 100s of clients create Your Unicorn Career, the customized and authentic career that brings you joy, meaning, and money. Levine studied at the American University in Cairo as a US Department of Defense Boren Fellow, and holds bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and anthropology from the University of Arizona.

www.alainalevine.com

WTS Connects is a program designed specifically for WTS Members to connect, learn, and discuss with each other around specific leadership content. The WTS Connects has two program options: WTS Connects for Members and WTS Connects for Executives. The hour-long sessions will include a presentation from renowned speakers and facilitators on topics like leadership, communicating your value, and power of micro-habits, followed by breakout groups for reflection and discussion. Get to know your colleagues and fellow WTS members at WTS Connects.

Join the Conversation

The WTS International and WTS Foundation Boards of Directors are currently accepting volunteers to serve on 2024-2026 committees!

Help WTS advance our mission and shape strategic priorities by becoming a volunteer member of one (or more!) of our committees. The following volunteer opportunities are open to active members of WTS International. Not a WTS member? Join today

WTS Members & Modes Committee

The WTS International Members and Modes Committee defines strategic objectives for the WTS organization and its chapters around the topics of membership recruitment and retention with a focus on the identification and inclusion of multiple transportation industry modes, including but not limited to Aviation, Highway, Maritime/Ports, Supply Chain/Freight Logistics.

WTS Workforce Development Task Force

The WTS Workforce Development Task Force defines strategic objectives for the WTS organization and its chapters around the topics of workforce development, including recruitment, retention, and advancement of women in the transportation sector.

WTS Foundation Student Education & Engagement Committee

The Student Education and Engagement Committee assists the WTS Foundation in developing and providing educational opportunities to young women pursuing careers in transportation and attracting school-aged girls to transportation through STEAM-related educational opportunities and activities, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. To support chapter educational activities through best practices and activity development, the committee is seeking six volunteers for the 2024-2026 Board term.

WTS Foundation Scholarship & Scholar Engagement Committee

The WTS Foundation Scholarship & Scholar Engagement Committee supports and sustains the WTS Foundation’s scholarship program by overseeing the selection process, ensuring fairness, equity, and access, and consistency in reviewing applications and identifying deserving scholarship award winners. The committee is recruiting for 30+ members.

Committee applications are due on December 13th. Due to the limited number of committee openings, we will not be able to accommodate all requests, but we encourage you to apply each year.

Please contact membership@wtsinternational.org with any questions. We appreciate your interest in serving on a committee!

Get involved!

Feeling Festive?

2024 WTS Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter

Scholarship Opportunities

To encourage women pursuing careers in transportation, the WTS Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter awards local scholarships to graduate, undergraduate, community college, and high school students. These scholarships have been made possible through generous contributions from our corporate members. Every year, the scholarships are competitive and based on the applicant’s specific transportation involvement and goals, job skills, and academic record.

Who should apply?

Women in the DFW region who are pursing studies or are interested in the transportation field. This includes engineering, environmental science, public policy, survey, construction, logistics, or aviation.

Any students that may be eligible for the scholarships should apply!

Scholarship Applications can be found at the link below:

Scholarships | WTS

Applications must be received no later than Friday, December 27, 2024.

Apply Today!

TransportationYOU meets monthly at Irma Rangel Young Women's Leadership School, and their first event kicked off on September 18. Events include hands-on activities, panels, and field trips. With more volunteers, we can expand to additional schools and reach even more students!

If you’re interested in getting involved and making a difference, please contact Anna-Maria Clardy at amclardy@halff.com for more information.

As a benefit for our corporate partners, members, and local non-profit organizations, the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter will run job postings for 30 days for free on our chapter website.

To add your posting, contact Communications@WTSGreaterDFW.org

Learn More

LOCAL CORPORATE SPONSORS