Scholarship

2026 Scholarship Criteria

AACE Region 2 promotes advancing the study of cost engineering and cost management through the integrative process of total cost management. To promote this objective, AACE Region 2 is planning to award academic scholarships to full-time students pursuing a degree in engineering, construction management, or similar directed toward working in the construction or engineering profession. To qualify for this scholarship, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Must be enrolled full-time in an ABET-accredited college or university or an accredited engineering or construction management program in the Northeast or mid-Atlantic Region of the United States (ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, and DC).

  • Must have a minimum Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on the scale of 4.0 = A, 3.0 = B, 2.0 = C, and 1.0 = D.

  • Must not be employed full-time as a professional.

  • Must be enrolled full-time in the upcoming semester at an accredited University and pursuing a related degree in engineering, construction management, building construction, business, or quantity surveying.

  • Must be willing to adhere to the AACE International Canons of Ethics.

  • Chosen recipients will receive one single payment to the University or college they attend with a maximum limit of $1,500.

Applications are due by January 19, 2026

2025 Winners

Chelsea Radaker

Geneva College, Undergraduate, Civil Engineering

My aspirations are to study civil engineering at Geneva College, while spending my summer and winter vacations working for PennDOT as an intern. After graduating, my goal would be to enter PennDOT’s CET (Civil Engineer Trainee) to then become a Civil Engineer employee, working for the state for several years, possibly to reach the role of a project manager. From my time as an intern, I have already been exposed to parts of the world of consultant work, and a future part of my aspirations would be to go into the consultant field and then build my own firm based in the transportation subdiscipline. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Catherine Caputo

Virginia Tech, Undergraduate, Construction Engineering and Management

In all truth, my passion for construction was revealed to me through this idea of serving others above myself. Two summers ago, in a small village in the jungle of Peru, surrounded by heat and sweat while aiding in the construction of a malaria outpost, I figured out that a construction career was it. It was there that I learned I needed physical, tangible results to gain satisfaction in the career I’d pursue. I needed to see the fruits of my labor - to see people occupy and use the space I helped construct. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Christopher Segreti 

University of Delaware, Undergraduate/Masters, Civil Engineering

After my graduate studies, I would like to take a unique approach to finding a career in the structural engineering field. While I am interested in the design of buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure, the space exploration industry sparks my interest. With the increasing focus on space exploration, civil engineers play a large role in the field. Structural engineers focus on the design of launch facilities, structural equipment, and other space related infrastructure. I have learned about the work that space companies, like NASA, SpaceX, and Blue Origin, have done through social media and the news. Whether it has been new engineering breakthroughs, technological implementations, or financial decisions, I have been interested in contributing to this field from a structural engineering perspective.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Zahra Halimi

University of Maryland, Graduate, Civil Engineering

I realized that technological advancements have shifted the industry’s requirements from physical strength to problem-solving and creativity. The construction industry thrives when diverse perspectives come together, and leadership should reflect this reality. This understanding inspired me to pursue advanced studies, with a focus on research that not only supports the inclusion of women and minorities but also demonstrates the tangible benefits of a diverse workforce. 

At the University of Maryland, my research focuses on workforce equity and diversity, particularly within the U.S. airport 
construction industry. By collaborating with organizations to develop strategies for creating inclusive work 
environments, I have seen firsthand how equitable practices enhance project performance and innovation. These 
experiences have strengthened my belief that fostering inclusivity is not just a moral imperative but a strategic 
advantage.