Story ID: 356
WCA's Fall Scholarship Program Yields Largest Offering
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: WCA received more than 200 applications for nearly 20 awards
Word Count: 389
Women in Corporate Aviation (WCA) awarded its largest scholarship offering yet after receiving more than 200 applications. The 17 scholarships in the fall 2023 program (one of which is to be determined) ranged from awards of up to $5,000 for pilot, flight attendant, maintenance, and other professional training.
WCA drew a record number of applicants for the fall awards, and that comes after its spring scholarship program drew an all-time-high number of applications. The scholarships are designed to foster women in corporate aviation paths, from those starting out through professionals transitioning to careers in corporate aviation. Over the past 17 years, WCA has awarded 280 scholarships valued at $1 million.
The scholarships are part of a multi-pronged effort for WCA to support women in their careers. With its roots tracing back 30 years, WCA has evolved into an organization that provides networking and mentoring, in addition to scholarships to foster careers.
“The program’s expansion is the direct result of massive, selfless efforts of many volunteers, sponsors, and applicants who recognize the positive impact they have on our industry,” WCA said.
The financial scholarships were awarded to: Sydney Hamelink, Dassault Falcon Jet College Student Scholarship ($1,500); Allison Couch, the Executive Jet Management Training Scholarship ($5,000); Hilary Billings, the JetStream Aviation Law Scholarship ($1,500); Paige Riley, the Solairus Aviation Advanced Rating Scholarship ($2,500); Emily Hogenson, the Women in Corporate Aviation Career Scholarship—Netflix ($2,500); Mary Harshbarger, the Women in Corporate Aviation Career Scholarship (up to $3,000); and one to be determined for the StandardAero Career Scholarship ($3,000).
In addition, Kathleen O'Neil is the recipient of a CAE Initial Flight Training Event award and Shelby Quillinan of a FlightSafety Gulfstream G500/600 three-week Maintenance Initial scholarship.
Flight attendant scholarships were awarded to Kelly Gutierrez, Aircare FACTS Training Scholarship Initial or Recurrent; Ashley Rose Legrand, Corporate Flight Attendant Training & Global Consulting (five-day/50-hour); Zora Skeete, Davinci Inflight Training Institute-Initial or Recurrent; Nicole Cohen, Davinci Inflight Training Institute-Service Elite; Leslie Sanders, FlightSafety Corporate Cabin Attendant Initial; and Liubov Lucey, VVIP International Inflight Training Scholarship (six-day course).
Other scholarships were awarded for regulatory and professional development: Florie Montero Ruiz, Universal Weather & Aviation Dispatcher Course, and Mary Harshbarger, USC Aviation Safety and Security Program: Human Factors in Aviation Safety.
WCA noted that IBAC and Sajet Solutions also contributed to the scholarships.