Women in HVACR and Carrier Offer $55,000 in Scholarships to Empower Future Female Leaders

Empowering Women in HVACR

Women in HVACR, a nonprofit organization instrumental in promoting women within the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) industry, has partnered with Carrier Global Corporation to award a total of $55,000 in scholarships aimed at empowering young women pursuing careers in skilled trades. This initiative is a significant push towards enhancing diversity and innovation in an industry that has traditionally seen a lack of female representation.

Celebrating Outstanding Achievements

During the recent Women in HVACR Conference in Las Vegas, 11 exceptional female students were honored with scholarships of $5,000 each. This event not only recognized their academic excellence but also their leadership potential and commitment to fostering diversity within their field. The recipients of these scholarships include:

1. Kristine Berg: Transitioned to the HVAC industry after a career in maintenance and is now studying at Hennepin Technical College, envisioning a future where she mentors young women in the trades.
2. Hannah Dearman-So: A fresh graduate from Harvey Mudd College with a focus in mechanical engineering, aiming to specialize in HVACR and plumbing.
3. Ashley Haynes: A mother of five and a Phi Theta Kappa member, she’s pursuing HVACR to inspire others about the importance of following dreams regardless of age.
4. Sarah Kitchen: Motivated by her daughters, she is pushing through to earn HVACR and electrical licenses with aspirations to educate future female technicians.
5. Beyonca Mack: With a family history in HVAC, her goal is to establish energy-efficient practices and inspire women to enter the skilled trades.
6. Alerry McCarthy: Studying construction management and seeking to create affordable housing solutions, driven by her passion for community development.
7. Aya Morgan: Combining her problem-solving skills and sustainability passion, she’s aspiring to work on projects that promote equitable design.
8. Samantha Murphy: With experience as a commercial driver, she is now transitioning to HVAC, focusing on gaining an associate degree at Lincoln Tech in Mahwah, NJ.
9. Mahek Parvez: At Purdue University, she has developed an innovative cooling system for farms and seeks to empower women through technology.
10. Lila Tychsen: Inspired by her uncle, she aims to become a sheet metal fabricator, reflecting her hands-on learning approach.
11. Sophia Valenzuela: As the president of her college's HVACR Student Union, she is both EPA-certified and driven to break through industry norms.

Investing in the Future

Kristin Gallup, President of Women in HVACR, emphasized that these scholarships signify an investment in the industry’s future. Each recipient embodies the passion and dedication required to contribute significantly to the HVACR field, ensuring the continuation of innovation and progress.

Contributing to Diversity and Inclusivity

This collaborative effort between Women in HVACR and Carrier highlights the importance of education and mentorship in creating pathways for women. By fostering an environment that encourages female participation in technical careers, they are not just helping individual students; they are simultaneously contributing to the broader goals of infrastructure and sustainability in the United States.

Gallup stated, "By investing in education and mentorship, Women in HVACR and Carrier are helping to create pathways for women to excel in technical careers that are essential to the nation’s infrastructure and sustainability goals."

Conclusion

The initiative not only advances the goals of diversity and inclusion but also reinforces the essential role women play in shaping the future of HVACR. Both organizations are committed to continuing their efforts to support and empower the next generation of female leaders. For further details about Women in HVACR and their missions, visit Women in HVACR.