ACEC California Announces 2025 Scholarship Foundation Recipients

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Council of Engineering Companies of California (ACEC California) announced today the recipients of its 2025 Scholarship Foundation scholarships. The ACEC California Scholarship Foundation awards annual scholarships to accomplished graduate or undergraduate college students working toward a degree in engineering or land surveying. Students are also eligible to receive additional scholarships from ACEC National and ACEC California Chapters.

"ACEC California is honored to support the bright futures of these talented students," said Brad Diede, Executive Director of ACEC California. "With a growing shortage of engineers and land surveyors, it is crucial to encourage young people to pursue these rewarding, well-paying careers. We remain committed to fostering the next generation of professionals in these vital fields."

In total, the ACEC California Scholarship Foundation awarded $82,000 in scholarship funds to 15 students: six graduate students and nine undergraduate students. This year's scholarship recipients have showcased remarkable achievements in their fields of study and a keen interest in addressing critical policy issues in California. They have taken on leadership roles in student engineering organizations such as American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Student Chapters, Tau Beta Pi and Zotbotics. Many are also employed at consulting engineering firms in California while pursuing their degrees. These students have contributed to society through projects such as designing rail and transit corridors, creating ADA-accessible pedestrian pathways, integration and testing of satellites, and traveling overseas to drill boreholes and develop sustainable strategies for clean water access in rural villages.

"As a first-generation graduate student, being awarded the ACEC Scholarship is so impactful and such an honor. It enables me to focus on my academic goals and stay on track to graduate on time. In addition, financial assistance gives me time and flexibility to prepare for and take the Professional Engineering (PE) Exam, which I plan to sit for before graduation," said Emilda Gwerengwe, civil engineering student at San Jose State University.

The record-breaking 150 applications were diligently reviewed by the Foundation's Volunteer Board of Trustees – Chairman Chris Diaz of Diaz•Yourman & Associates, Donald Blackburn of Blackburn Consulting, Jeff Gavazza of KPFF Consulting Engineers, Michael Jaeger of Tanner Pacific, Henry Liang of Michael K. Nunley & Associates dba MKN, Jane Rozga of GHD, and Aundrea Tirapelle of Psomas.

Funds will be distributed to the students at the beginning of the Fall 2025 semester.

The 2025 Scholarship Foundation award recipients are listed below:

1. Sonia Yanez Ayon, University of California, Davis, pursuing a master's in civil engineering and structural engineering.
2. Morgan Bates, University of the Pacific, pursuing a bachelor's in civil engineering and engineering management.
3. Justin Gip, San Diego State University, pursuing a bachelor's in civil engineering.
4. Emilda Gwerengwe, San Jose State University, pursuing a master's in civil engineering.
5. Xitlaly Anaely Gonzalez, California State University, Chico, pursuing a bachelor's in civil engineering.
6. Kai Halpin, University of California, Irvine, pursuing a bachelor's in mechanical engineering.
7. Alexandra Kersting, University of California, San Diego, pursuing a master's in structural engineering.
8. Kaleb Limtiaco, California Baptist University, pursuing a bachelor's in civil engineering.
9. Oscar Macias, California Baptist University, pursuing a bachelor's in construction engineering.
10. Merissa Mills, University of California, Los Angeles, pursuing a master's in civil engineering.
11. Peter Otoshi, California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, pursuing a bachelor's in civil engineering.
12. Giuse Pham, Stanford University, pursuing a master's in mechanical engineering.
13. Komal Kaur Sandhu, University of California, Davis, pursuing a master's in structural engineering and civil engineering.
14. Nathan Vlasin, University of California, Irvine, pursuing a bachelor's in electrical engineering and computer engineering.
15. Garrett Westwick, California Baptist University, pursuing a bachelor's in civil engineering.

Learn more about the ACEC California Scholarship Foundation program at www.acec-ca.org/scholarship

ACEC California represents over 1,000 engineering and land surveying firm offices and nearly 25,000 professionals who are involved in all aspects of the design, construction, and repair of California's residential, commercial, industrial, and public works infrastructure.  

SOURCE American Council of Engineering Companies, California