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Empowering Women in HVACR

Women in HVACR (WHVACR), a dedicated nonprofit aimed at enhancing the presence of women in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) industries, has recently partnered with Carrier Global Corporation, a leading HVACR company, to provide $55,000 in scholarships. This initiative is designed to support eleven deserving female students pursuing technical education and careers in this field.

During WHVACR's annual conference held in Indianapolis, each of the eleven selected students received a scholarship of $5,000, contributing significantly to their educational expenses. This partnership not only exemplifies shared values between the two organizations but also highlights the importance of nurturing future talents in an industry that is facing challenges related to workforce demand.

The scholarship recipients for 2026 are:

• - Dalila Aguirre (Tulsa Tech)
• - Jenna Alred (Northwestern Technological Institute)
• - Brittany Caffey (College of Southern Nevada)
• - Latoya Howard (Southern Regional Technical College)
• - Kendra Kalstad (Northwest Technical College)
• - Anah Kincheloe (Lamar Institute of Technology)
• - Krrisha Patel (University of Pennsylvania)
• - Aayana Roy (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
• - Jaqua Seay (New York City College of Technology)
• - Tyra Talley (University of Arkansas' Pulaski Technical College)
• - Alexa Wilson (Southern Technical College)

Jane Sidebottom, President of Women in HVACR, emphasized the urgency of attracting more women into skilled trades. She stated, "Our industry faces a tremendous challenge in meeting the demand for well-trained and qualified workforce. By providing these scholarships, we hope to motivate more women to consider the incredible opportunities in skilled trades, with diverse paths from entry-level technician roles to ultimate business ownership."

The recipients reflect a diversity of backgrounds and ambitions. Some are following in family footsteps, while others are making transitions into new careers. They are dedicated to expanding opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated fields, especially HVACR, and are committed to challenging industry boundaries. These emerging leaders often express a desire not only to succeed personally but also to mentor the next generation of women entering the trades.

Women in HVACR has been proactive in its educational initiatives since 2002, focusing on increasing the representation of women in the HVACR sector. The organization provides numerous networking opportunities and professional development resources, including scholarships for women pursuing careers in engineering, business, and technical education.

This collaboration between WHVACR and Carrier not only empowers individual students but also paves the way for a more inclusive workforce in HVACR. The scholarships stand as a testament to the potential impact that empowered women can have in reshaping the industry.

To learn more about Women in HVACR and their initiatives, visit womeninhvacr.org.