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Key Takeaways
- We awarded scholarships to eight dependents of employees studying STEM fields for the 2026-2027 academic year.
- Recipients were chosen based on academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement, reflecting the future of innovation.
- Scholarship recipients pursue diverse fields such as geology, biology, mechanical engineering, pre-med, neuroscience, physics, and nursing.
Tomorrow’s breakthroughs in infrastructure, healthcare, and environmental science are taking shape in today’s classrooms, laboratories, and clinics. Through the Parsons Scholarship and Ralph M. Parsons Scholarship programs, we are proud to support the next generation of innovators as they prepare to take on complex challenges across STEM fields.
For the 2026-2027 academic year, we awarded scholarships to eight dependents of employees who are studying STEM fields, including geology, biology, mechanical engineering, pre-med, neuroscience, physics, and nursing.
Recipients were selected with support from International Scholarship and Tuition Services (ISTS) based on academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement. Together, these students reflect the curiosity, compassion, and drive that will help shape the future.
For some scholars, the biggest questions lie beneath our feet and extend far beyond the horizon. Students pursuing geology are building the knowledge needed to better understand Earth systems and address the environmental challenges shaping communities around the world. For others, a passion for science is paired with a deep commitment to improving lives through healthcare.
A commitment to innovation often begins with asking how things can work better. Students studying mechanical engineering and physics are preparing to design, build, and reimagine the technologies and systems that support our communities daily.
Here’s what a few of our scholarship recipients had to say about their studies, aspirations, and what this recognition means to them.
Abigayle B., a nursing student at Bellarmine University, plans to become a pediatric oncology nurse, motivated by the desire to help children and families navigate cancer treatment. She said she wants to be part of the stories her future patients tell “one day after they have beat cancer,” while “showing them a light as they are traveling through a dark part of their lives.”
Maggie H., a biology student at Virginia Tech, is working toward a career as a physician assistant specializing in pediatrics. She hopes to “build a strong foundation in the life sciences” while gaining the research, volunteer, and clinical experience needed for Physician Assistant (PA) school and, eventually, providing compassionate care to children and families.
Mitanshi R., a neuroscience major at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, plans to attend medical school after graduation. She said receiving the Parsons Scholarship has brought her “one step closer to that goal” while allowing her to stay focused on her education and community involvement.
Aqsa K., a pre-med student at McMaster University, hopes to pursue a career in medicine while addressing barriers to healthcare access, noting that “health influences every aspect of a person’s life, yet many individuals continue to experience inequities due to factors beyond their control.” She is especially interested in glaucoma research and the possibility of earlier detection, slowed progression, and one day reversing the vision loss the disease can cause.
Congratulations to all of our 2026–2027 scholarship recipients!
| Recipient | Major | School |
| Naswiha N. | Geology | Calicut University |
| Maggie H. | Biology | Virginia Polytechnic Institute |
| Gonzalo G. A. | Biology | University of California San Diego |
| Cassandra F. | Mechanical Engineering | John Hopkins University |
| Aqsa K. | Pre-Med | McMaster University |
| Mitanshi R. | Neuroscience | University of Wisconsin Madison |
| Justin C. | Physics | University of Pennsylvania |
| Abigayle B. | Nursing | Bellarmine University |
We are honored to support students whose ambitions extend beyond the classroom and into the challenges that matter most. As they pursue breakthroughs in science, engineering, healthcare, and environmental understanding, they are helping lay the foundation for a smarter, healthier, and more resilient future.