$1,000 Reverend Addie L. Wyatt
Junior College Scholarship

Dakari Ash is a dedicated engineering student at Moraine Valley Community College, pursuing a career in biomedical engineering with a passion for developing life-changing medical devices. As a first-year community college student and Geler Scholar, Dakari has excelled academically, while actively participating in STEM Club and professional development workshops. His commitment to community service is evident through his involvement in organizing STEM events for middle schoolers, fostering a love for science and technology in the next generation. COMTO Chicago is honored to award the Reverend Addie L. Wyatt Junior College Scholarship to Dakari Ash.

$1,500 Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable Leadership Scholarship

Khamani Battiste is a resilient construction management student at Norfolk State University, driven by a passion for improving transportation infrastructure in underserved communities. Growing up in Chicago, Khamani overcame significant challenges and loss, and his drive helped him excel academically and join Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. With internships at HNTB and WSP, Khamani has gained hands-on experience in transportation projects, including CAD design for O’Hare and Midway airports, as he aims to become a project manager advocating for equitable transit solutions. COMTO Chicago is honored to award the Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable Leadership Scholarship to Khamani Battiste.

$2,500 Dorval R. Carter Award

Heaven Black is a driven electrical engineering student at the University of Illinois at Chicago, set to graduate in December 2026, with a passion for enhancing transportation infrastructure. Growing up in a low-income Chicago neighborhood, Heaven’s reliance on public transit inspired her career path in engineering, focusing on accessibility and equity. As an intern at the Federal Aviation Administration’s O’Hare Navigation SSC, she maintains critical navigational aids, earning praise for her professionalism and technical aptitude. Her community engagement includes mentoring minority students in STEM and advocating for programs like Project Lead The Way. COMTO Chicago is honored to the Dorval R. Carter Scholarship to Heaven Black.

$2,000 Elonzo "Lonnie" Hill
Mentorship Scholarship

Ryan Beulah is a freshman computer engineering major at Marquette University recognized on the Dean’s Honor List and selected for the Core Honors Program. A proud Eagle Scout and COMTO Chicago scholarship recipient, Ryan’s leadership shines as President of the Freshman Engineering Student Council and Vice President of the Engineering Student Council. His involvement in the PERSIST STEM Research Program and upcoming study abroad in Germany and Italy reflect his commitment to growth. Volunteering with the Bolingbrook Arts Council and mentoring young scouts, Ryan aims to inspire future Black engineers. COMTO Chicago is honored to award the Elonzo "Lonnie" Hill Mentorship Scholarship to Ryan Beulah.

$2,000 Founding Fathers Leadership Legacy Scholarship

Fateme Hafizi is a Ph.D. student in Civil Engineering (Transportation) at the Illinois Institute of Technology, set to graduate in May 2027. Her research on electric charging infrastructure for drone-based delivery has earned her accolades, including the NSF Student Travel Grant and first place in the 2024 IEOM Vehicle Electrification Competition. As a teaching assistant and Secretary for IIT’s ITE and Railroad Club, Fateme mentors students and organizes career fairs. A COMTO Chicago member, she thrives to focus on her studies and contribute to equitable, sustainable transportation systems. COMTO Chicago is honored to award the Founding Fathers Leadership Legacy Scholarship to Fateme Hafizi.

$1,000 A. Phillip Randolph
Memorial Scholarship

Kollin Graham is a dedicated student committed to service and community impact, pursuing a degree with a focus on uplifting others through fields like healthcare, education, or public policy. His active involvement at Pullman Christian Reformed Church includes volunteering in the kitchen, assisting in Children’s Church, and leading worship, reflecting his heart for service. Kollin’s community work, such as tutoring and organizing food drives, underscores his commitment to giving back. COMTO Chicago is honored to award the A. Phillip Randolph Memorial Scholarship to Kollin Graham

$1,000 Reverend Addie L. Wyatt Junior College Scholarship

Ryan Hernandez is a passionate graduate student in architecture at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, dedicated to sustainable and inclusive design. His involvement with the National Organization for Minority Architecture Students (NOMAS) and volunteering at NOMA’s Project Pipeline camp highlight his dedication to mentoring underrepresented youth in architecture. At Kahler Slater’s studio, Ryan’s innovative affordable housing project integrated a CTA Metro stop, showcasing his focus on community-centered design. Ryan aims to become a licensed architect and educator to advance his mission of equitable urban design. COMTO Chicago is honored to award the Reverend Addie L. Wyatt Junior College Scholarship to Ryan Hernandez.

$1,000 A. Phillip Randolph Memorial Scholarship

Nicole Kadziola is a first-generation college student at the Illinois Institute of Technology, pursuing dual degrees in Chemistry and Finance set to graduate in December 2025. Raised in a working-class Chicago suburb by immigrant parents from Poland, her 11-month internship at the Chicago Transit Authority’s Business Development team ignited her passion for equitable public transportation, where she analyzes revenue trends and contributes to RFPs. As a Leadership Academy member and volunteer at PAWS Chicago and Feed My Starving Children, Nicole embodies servant leadership with a goal of joining CTA full-time to enhance transit access in low-income communities. COMTO Chicago is honored to award the A. Phillip Randolph Memorial Scholarship to Nicole Kadziola.

$2,500 Dorval R. Carter Scholarship

Sanaz Kazemzadehazad is a Ph.D. candidate in Transportation Engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology, following her first Ph.D. in Iran. With 12 years of industry experience in road design and safety, she served as a consultant at Iran’s Ministry of Road and Urban Development. Her current research on transit signal priority and pandemic-resistant ride-hailing platforms is funded by IDOT. As President of IIT’s AREMA and Vice President of ITE, and a member of WTS, ASCE, and COMTO, Sanaz has earned multiple scholarships, including the 2023 COMTO Elonzo “Lonnie” Hill Mentorship. COMTO Chicago is honored to award the Dorval R. Carter Scholarship to Sanaz Kazemzadehazad.

$2,000 The Elonzo "Lonnie" Hill Mentorship Scholarship

Elizabeth Sarpong is an exceptional high school senior at Plainfield East High School in Romeoville, with a passion for leveraging technology for social good. As a first-generation Ghanaian American, Elizabeth has balanced a rigorous academic schedule, 20-hour work weeks, and leadership roles, including President of the African Students Association and Vice President of the National Science Honor Society. Aspiring to major in computer science, Elizabeth aims to become a software engineer focused on digital equity, designing inclusive tools and teaching coding to underrepresented communities. COMTO Chicago is honored to award the Elonzo "Lonnie" Hill Mentorship Scholarship to Elizabeth Sarpong.

$1,500 Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable Leadership Scholarship

Leila Taylor is a civil engineering senior at the Illinois Institute of Technology, graduating in December 2025, with a focus on sustainable transportation engineering. As vice president of IIT’s Black Student Union, she mentors underrepresented students in STEM, reflecting her commitment to community. Her capstone project on an electric shuttle bus service for the United Center and studies on Chicago’s Bus Rapid Transit highlight her innovative approach. Leila seeks to pursue licensure as a professional engineer and land surveyor to build inclusive transportation systems. COMTO Chicago is honored to award the Jean Baptiste Pointe Du Sable Leadership Scholarship to Leila Taylor.

$2000 Founding Fathers Leadership Legacy Scholarship

Sean Waters is a B.S. Civil Engineering student at Illinois Institute of Technology, pursuing a master’s in Transportation Engineering and is expected to graduate in May 2028. His internship at DKS Associates, using tools like Synchro and RITIS, fueled his passion for equitable transit. As Treasurer of IIT’s ITE Student Chapter and a Transfer Leadership Scholar, Sean fosters community among his peers. COMTO Chicago is honored to award the Founding Fathers Leadership Legacy Scholarship to Sean Waters.