SCHOLARSHIPS

Since 1997 the Southern California Chapter of APWA has conducted a Scholarship Program benefitting students who live in or attend school in our region. Since its inception, our Chapter has awarded more than $400,000 in scholarships, allowing high school seniors and undergraduate college students who maintain a passion for community involvement and volunteerism, to continue to achieve their educational goals.

 

ENDOWMENTS

During Tim D’Zmura’s presidency in 2018, the Southern California Chapter of the American Public Works Association (APWA) planted the seed for what would become a lasting legacy at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB)—an endowment to support the future of public works professionals. Tim and the Chapter Board of Directors recognized the need to invest in the next generation of civil engineer professionals who would go on to serve in public works roles, ensuring that communities in the Counties of Orange and Los Angeles would be equipped with well-trained, passionate professionals in the years to come.

The purpose of establishing an endowment scholarship is simple but powerful: it creates a sustainable source of funding to help students achieve their educational and career goals, while honoring the values and objectives of the APWA SoCal Chapter. An endowment is a donation that is invested, with only the interest generated being used for scholarships. This ensures that the funding will continue to support students year after year, creating a lasting impact. By creating the first endowed scholarship in the College of Engineering at CSULB, specifically for undergraduate students majoring in Civil Engineering or Construction Engineering Management, the Chapter ensured that those with a passion for public service in infrastructure, community development, and sustainability could benefit from opportunities they might not have had otherwise.

This scholarship, now recognized as the Southern California Chapter APWA Endowed Scholarship, is a testament to the Chapter’s vision for the future. In addition, to the endowment we started a student chapter of APWA on the campus.

As the Southern California Chapter of APWA continued to thrive, we saw an incredible opportunity to expand our impact and broaden the reach of our endowment scholarships. In 2024, we took significant steps forward by extending our support to two additional institutions, strengthening our commitment to the next generation of public works professionals, and embracing diversity within the industry. To reflect the multidisciplinary nature of public works, we made a conscious decision to include students from a wider array of academic backgrounds. This led us to expand our scholarships to support not only civil engineering and construction management majors, but also students pursuing degrees in landscape architecture, geography, urban and regional planning, and architecture.

In spring 2024, we began our legacy at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Then, in December 2024, we closed out the year with a significant investment in Santiago Canyon College, a two-year community college. This was an exciting and purposeful move, as it underscored our commitment to being community college students—those who are often the first step for many in pursuing a career in public works.

At Santiago Canyon College, our scholarships are specifically designed to support students majoring in Public Administration and Policy, Public Works, Water and Wastewater Technology, and Survey/Mapping Sciences. By investing in these students, we are not only giving them the tools they need to succeed but also demonstrating the Chapter’s dedication to ensuring that public works professionals come from a variety of educational backgrounds. Whether you’re at a four-year university or a two-year college, we wanted to ensure students have access to the resources they need to succeed.

CSULB – $55,125
Cal Poly Pomona – $52,500
Santiago Canyon College – $25,000
TOTAL = $132,625

 

 

California State University Long Beach

Endowment Name: Southern California Chapter APWA Endowed Scholarship

Criteria:

  • CSULB student majoring in Civil or Construction Engineering Management;
  • Must be a CSULB American Public Works Association member;
  • An undergraduate student enrolled in a minimum of 12 units;
  • Open to all years of study (freshman, sophomore, junior or senior);
  • Student does not need to demonstrate financial need;
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5
  • “Apply to” question: Please expand on why you are interested in a career in public works;

 

Cal Poly Pomona Logo

Endowment Name: American Public Works Association (APWA) Southern California Chapter Endowed Scholarship

Criteria:

  • CSULB student majoring in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Geography (Environmental Geography Subplan/Option), Geography (Geographic Information Systems Subplan/Option), Geography (Geography Subplan/Option), Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban and Regional Planning; California residents who attended a California high school in one of the four county chapters which the Southern California Chapter of APWA covers (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino);
  • Applicant must show financial need;
  • Open to all years of study (freshman, sophomore, junior or senior);
  • Full-time enrollment when receiving scholarship;
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 (or higher);
  • Applicant must prove membership and involvement in major/degree related school clubs (at least one);
  • Preference given to students involved in the American Public Works Association (APWA).
  • “Apply to” question (250 words or less): What do you hope to contribute to the public works profession?

 

SCC logo

Endowment Name: American Public Works Association – SoCal Chapter Endowment Scholarship

Criteria:

  • Santiago Canyon College student majoring in Public Administration and Policy, Public Works, Water and Wastewater Technology, and Survey/Mapping Sciences;
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5;
  • Minimum No of Units: 6 units;
  • Student does not need to demonstrate financial need;
  • Continuing or transferring student;
  • Minimum scholarship amount is $1,250;
  • “Apply to” question: Please expand on why you are interested in career in Public Works
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