The annual Scholarship Luncheon was held Feb. 26 in partnership with COMTO-NC (Conference of Minority Transportation Officials-North Carolina chapter). NCDOT Deputy Secretary Ebony Pittman was the featured speaker. See photos from the luncheon here.

The chapter awarded $18,000 to five students, at both the university and high-school levels:

• Leadership Legacy Scholarship: Rebecca Cox, Duke University, Master of Environmental Management student
• Helene M. Overly Scholarship (2): Sage Weatherwax, UNC-Chapel Hill, second-year student in the Master of City and Regional Planning program specializing in transportation, and Annie Oommen, UNC-Chapel Hill, second-year student in the Master of City and Regional Planning program
• Transportation YOU Scholarship (2): Lily Sharon, senior at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Raleigh, NC, and Susan McGraw, senior at Athens Drive Magnet High School in Raleigh, NC

Congratulations to the scholarship winners, and thanks to all who attended and supported the program.

Join fellow WTS members for an evening of golf, networking and shack snacks at the next membership event on April 3 at Drive Shack in Raleigh. The event will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and is open to all members. Registration will be $10, which will include games, snacks and non-alcoholic drinks.

Register here, and we hope to see you there.

There's still time to nominate people, employers or projects for the 2025 NC Triangle Chapter Recognition Awards. There are 9 categories awarded annually to trailblazers, rising stars and employers in the transportation field. The deadline to nominate is March 14. Links to the application, categories and criteria can be found here. Contact Anamika Laad with questions.

The 2025 Southeast Rail Forum will be held March 10-12 in Raleigh, which will welcome attendees from throughout the southeast United States to discuss rail-related issues and projects. If you are registered, download the Whova event app.

The planning committee for is looking for anyone willing to volunteer during the event. There are several opportunities available for those who can be on site to help with logistics for a few hours, a whole day, or the whole event. Click here to access the sign-up form.

Name: Amanda Killian

Hometown: Dublin, Ohio

When did you join WTS? October 2023

Why did you join WTS? I joined WTS because I wanted to network and meet others around the state, country, and internationally, and broaden my knowledge of transportation engineering. 

Where do you work/How long? NCDOT / 2 years (Before this I worked for the consultant Kimley-Horn.)

What is your title? Transportation Planning Engineer

What do you like best about your job? I love the variety of work I do. Some days are spent in GIS working on maps and coding. Other days, I am traveling and presenting for different meetings around the state. It is a great blend of technical and people-based work.

What is your favorite project you've worked on? Why? I have been working on the Bertie County Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) for the state. This project is near and dear to my heart because I started it from the beginning and am working towards completion early next year. I have traveled to Bertie County many times for our meetings, and the steering committee has been fun to get to know and work with. There is a small zoo in downtown Windsor we always drive past, and I have many fond memories of lunches at the local bakery with the rural planning coordinator and staff. I have learned a lot through this project from leading a steering committee, developing and implementing a public input survey, identifying needs-based recommendations through engineering analysis, and presenting at a multitude of meetings. I also have had the chance to get to know and explore a new area of the state. 

What do you like to do in your free time? I love to spend time with friends, hike, travel, and try out new coffee shops.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself: I used to figure skate and have skated with the Olympian Johnny Weir before!

For this month's newly rebranded EDIBA ( Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Accessibility) Spotlight, the chapter's committee is highlighting Women's History Month. The focus is on two highly accomplished women in the field of Aviation:

• Cecilia Aragon - an award-winning author and data science professor at the University of Washington, and an aerobatic pilot
• Lindsey J. Jones - the first African American female Black Hawk pilot for the North Carolina National Guard

Read more about Women's History Month and these trailblazers here.

Mark your calendars for May 15 at Raleigh Union Station; registration for the annual GoGala will open soon.

The GoGala is the chapter's annual fundraising event, featuring a silent auction and dinner to recognize the recipients of the Triangle Chapter Recognition Awards. All funds raised go to the chapter's mentorship and scholarship programs.

We can't wait to see you there!

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