India Kaczmarek, a sophomore enrolled in the University of Akron's (UA) College of Engineering, is this year's recipient of KS Associates' annual academic scholarship.

Each year the $2,500 scholarship is awarded to a female student enrolled in UA's Civil Engineering Program. The student must have a minimum GPA of 2.75, be enrolled at a sophomore level or above, and must complete an essay explaining why they believe they should receive financial assistance. This is the fourth consecutive year in which KS has awarded the scholarship.

Kaczmarek is an Akron native who first became interested in engineering after her high school team won a balsa wood bridge design competition. "I had a stereotypical impression of engineers and didn't completely understand the discipline until I was exposed to it. After visiting civil engineering firms in high school, then attending UA's Women in Engineering Summer Camp, I could see myself in an engineering role," Kaczmarek said.

Kaczmarek was selected based on her academic performance, the quality of her essay and her community involvement. She volunteers as a tutor for middle-school students, has participated in the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity, and is Vice President of the National Society of Black Engineers. Upon graduation, Kaczmarek plans to become licensed as a Professional Engineer (P.E.) and pursue a career in commercial construction, transportation engineering or urban planning.


About The University of Akron Women in Engineering Program:
The University of Akron established the WIE Program in 1993 to recruit more female students into engineering disciplines by providing the tools and resources they need to successfully complete their degrees. WIE is committed to increasing the quality and quantity of well-educated engineers in the workforce.

About KS Associates:
KS Associates is a civil engineering and land surveying firm serving public and private-sector clients. The firm provides land surveying and mapping services; design, bidding and construction administration of public infrastructure and transportation projects; and site development services for residential, commercial and institutional projects.