Growing up in Philadelphia, I saw firsthand how underserved communities are impacted by inequity in infrastructure. Cracked sidewalks, unsafe roads, limited access to clean public spaces—these were daily realities, not just inconveniences. These experiences deeply shaped my worldview and inspired my passion for civil engineering. I knew early on that I wanted to be a problem solver, a builder not just of structures but of hope, opportunity, and lasting change. My passion for this field is driven by a desire to improve lives in a tangible way. Civil engineering offers the power to shape the environments people live in, to create systems that work for everyone, and to design solutions that uplift entire communities. That mission aligns perfectly with the values I have carried throughout my life: service, equity, and leadership. Throughout high school, I leaned into these values by serving as president of both the Youth Inspiration and American Sign Language clubs, acting as co-chair of communications for the Black Student Union, and mentoring incoming freshmen. I became a voice for students who often felt unheard. I created safe spaces where we could discuss the pressures and challenges teens face, and I advocated for real changes to support our mental health and well-being. I was not just a leader—I was someone my peers could trust, talk to, and lean on. That spirit of service has continued in college. As a student at North Carolina A&T State University, I am majoring in civil engineering and am actively involved in organizations like the National Society of Black Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. I mentor young girls who are interested in STEM, helping them build confidence and reminding them that they belong in every space they aspire to enter. I also participate in club sports like flag football, which allows me to stay grounded and connected with my peers. Pursuing my degree in civil engineering is not just about academics. It is about becoming equipped to solve real-world problems. I am learning how to design structures that are sustainable, efficient, and accessible. More importantly, I am developing the knowledge and leadership skills to return to communities like mine and make a real difference. Whether through flood-safe drainage systems, safer school buildings, or equitable urban planning, I want my work to serve those who have historically been overlooked. My goal is to use my education to uplift others and create infrastructure that is rooted in care, equity, and long-term impact. I want to mentor the next generation of engineers and advocate for inclusive practices within the field. One day, I hope to launch my own engineering firm dedicated to transforming underserved neighborhoods because everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and proud of where they live. Every challenge I have faced, every leadership role I have held, and every service opportunity I have embraced has brought me to this moment. I am not only working toward a degree. I am working toward a future where my knowledge, compassion, and determination build more than structures. They build futures.

My name is Simone Richardson, and I am a rising sophomore at North Carolina A&T State University majoring in civil engineering. My journey has been shaped by a deep commitment to leadership, education, and service. I have always believed in the power of using my voice and actions to create positive change, and I carry that belief with me in every space I enter. Whether I am volunteering in my community, leading a student organization, or mentoring the next generation, I am motivated by the desire to uplift and empower those around me. In high school, I was deeply involved in leadership and service. I served as president of both the Youth Inspiration Club and the American Sign Language Club. I also acted as co-chair of communications for our Black Student Union and mentored ninth-grade students as they transitioned into high school. These roles were more than just titles to me—they were opportunities to serve. I worked hard to be someone others could talk to, and I often spoke up on behalf of students whose voices were not being heard. I helped create safe spaces where teens could talk openly about the issues and pressures we faced, and I used my leadership roles to build community and support my peers. In addition to my school involvement, I regularly volunteered in my community, participating in food drives, local clean-up events, and youth mentoring programs. These experiences taught me the importance of showing up for others and the impact of consistent service. I have always found joy in giving back, whether through direct action or simply being present for someone in need. Now in college, I continue to lead and serve with the same passion. I am a proud member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society. I also participate in club sports like flag football, which has allowed me to build strong connections and stay active while maintaining balance in my academic life. Most importantly, I serve as a mentor to young girls interested in STEM. I help guide them, encourage them, and show them that their dreams are possible. Representation matters, and I am proud to be someone younger students can look up to. Civil engineering is my chosen field because I want to build more than just structures—I want to build better futures. My goal is to use my education to improve the safety, sustainability, and accessibility of infrastructure in underserved communities, especially in my hometown of Philadelphia. I want to design spaces that reflect the needs and hopes of the people who live there. I believe every community deserves clean water, safe roads, reliable transportation, and public spaces that inspire pride and connection. My work will focus on closing the gaps and making sure no one is left behind. I believe I am a strong candidate for the Mark Green Memorial Scholarship because I embody the values this scholarship was created to honor—resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to education and service. With this support, I will continue to use my voice, my skills, and my heart to serve others and make a lasting impact. I am proud of all that I have accomplished, and I am even more excited about what lies ahead. My mission is clear: to make a difference through everything I build, every life I touch, and every space I help improve.

My name is Simone Richardson, and I am a rising sophomore at North Carolina A&T State University majoring in civil engineering. I was born and raised in Philadelphia, where I saw firsthand how the lack of safe, modern infrastructure can affect people’s daily lives. That early exposure inspired me to choose a field where I could combine my love for problem-solving, creativity, and service to make lasting change. My goal is to make a positive impact on the world by designing infrastructure that uplifts communities, especially those that have long been overlooked. Civil engineering is about more than just buildings and bridges. To me, it is about building opportunity, safety, and dignity into everyday life. Through my studies, I am gaining the knowledge and tools I need to develop sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking solutions. I am passionate about using my future career to improve the quality of life in underserved neighborhoods like my own. I want to help create roads that are safer, parks that are welcoming, and public spaces that bring people together. I plan to specialize in infrastructure development that directly addresses inequality and supports long-term community growth. Even before college, I was committed to serving others. In high school, I mentored ninth graders and held leadership roles in multiple student organizations. I made it a priority to create spaces where younger students could speak openly about the pressures they were facing. I listened to their stories, helped them navigate challenges, and often spoke up on their behalf to make sure their concerns were addressed. I became someone they could turn to for encouragement, direction, or simply a safe conversation. I did not take that responsibility lightly. I learned that being a leader means more than organizing events or holding a title—it means being a consistent, compassionate presence and using your voice to amplify others. Today, I continue that mission at North Carolina A&T by mentoring young girls interested in STEM. I understand the power of representation and how much it means to see someone who looks like you succeed in a space that often lacks diversity. I am proud to show others that they, too, can thrive in engineering. Through mentoring, I am not just sharing what I know; I am building confidence, opening doors, and inspiring others to see the value in their own potential. My commitment to making a positive impact does not stop with mentoring. In the future, I envision myself leading projects that bring long-term benefits to cities like Philadelphia—projects that reflect the voices of the people who live there and respond to their real needs. I want to be an engineer who listens, collaborates, and builds with heart. With every step I take in my education and career, I move closer to that goal. Receiving this scholarship would not only support my academic journey but also strengthen my ability to serve others, create meaningful change, and carry forward the purpose that drives everything I do. I am proud of the path I am on, and I look forward to continuing to grow as a leader, a mentor, and an engineer committed to making a lasting difference in the world.

Charity is deeply important to me because it reflects compassion and the power to uplift others. Growing up in Philadelphia, I witnessed how even small acts of kindness can create meaningful change in communities. Charity is more than giving money—it’s about giving time, support, and encouragement to help others thrive. In high school, I embraced leadership roles that allowed me to serve my community. As president of Youth Inspiration and the American Sign Language club, I organized events that promoted inclusion and empowerment. I also mentored ninth graders, guiding them through the challenges of starting high school. These experiences taught me the value of service and the impact of strong, supportive leadership. At North Carolina A&T State University, I continue this commitment by mentoring young girls interested in STEM. Empowering them to pursue careers in science and engineering is one of the most meaningful ways I give back. Sharing my journey helps inspire confidence and opens doors for the next generation. Looking forward, I plan to use my civil engineering degree to design infrastructure that benefits underserved communities like my hometown. Whether improving water systems or creating safer public spaces, I want my work to make a tangible difference. Beyond my career, I will stay involved in volunteering and advocacy, making charity a lifelong commitment. Charity shapes who I am and guides my goals. This scholarship would support my education and empower me to continue making a positive impact through service and leadership.

Ever since I was young, I’ve been driven by a passion to make a positive impact on my community, and civil engineering, especially water resources engineering, is the perfect way for me to do just that. Water is the foundation of life, and managing it wisely is one of the most critical challenges we face today. From ensuring clean drinking water to protecting communities from floods, water resources engineering shapes everything from health and agriculture to economic growth and environmental sustainability. With climate change and urban development putting increasing pressure on our water systems, I’m excited to be part of a field that creates real, lasting solutions for people and the planet. The David Ford scholarship is more than just financial support; it’s an opportunity to grow, learn, and build a career that truly matters. I’m eager to take part in the HDR internship, working alongside experienced professionals who share David Ford’s passion. Gaining hands-on experience in tackling water challenges will help me turn my dreams into reality and prepare me to be a leader in this essential field. Leadership has been a huge part of my journey, both before and after college. In high school, I proudly served as president of Youth Inspiration and the American Sign Language club. Leading those groups taught me how to inspire others, organize meaningful events, and create inclusive spaces where everyone feels empowered. I also mentored ninth graders, guiding them through the often tricky transition to high school and helping them build confidence. As co-chair of communications for the Black Student Union, I helped bring important social justice issues to the forefront, encouraging my peers to take action and support one another. Now, as a rising sophomore at North Carolina A&T State University, I’m continuing to grow as a leader. I’m actively involved in the National Society of Black Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers, where I collaborate with fellow students on projects and outreach efforts that promote diversity and professional development. I also mentor young girls interested in STEM, sharing my passion and experience to inspire the next generation of engineers, just as others inspired me. Playing flag football as a club sport has even taught me teamwork and resilience in a whole new way. I am proud of all that I’ve accomplished so far, and I’m excited for the challenges ahead. My academic dedication, leadership experience, and unwavering commitment to water resources engineering make me a strong candidate for this scholarship. With your support, I will continue to develop the skills and knowledge needed to design sustainable, safe water infrastructure that improves the lives of underserved communities like my hometown of Philadelphia. This scholarship would be a meaningful step in my journey to carry forward David Ford’s legacy of passion and impact in water resources.

If given the opportunity to improve my community, I would focus on creating safe, sustainable infrastructure and expanding educational opportunities, especially in STEM fields. These goals are deeply personal to me because I have witnessed how the lack of resources and safe spaces affects the lives of people around me and limits their potential. Growing up, I have been actively involved in volunteering to help rebuild and improve my community. Through my work with ACE, a program focused on architecture, construction, and engineering, I have experienced firsthand how meaningful community service can create real change. One of my proudest moments was designing a fun, interactive trash can enclosure for children at a local recreation center. Before this project, the center was often cluttered with trash, which discouraged kids from playing and posed health risks. By creating an engaging design that encouraged proper disposal of waste, we helped promote cleanliness and a healthier environment where children could safely play and enjoy themselves. Seeing how something as simple as a trash enclosure could transform a space and influence behavior inspired me deeply. Another project I worked on was designing bee homes for a local community garden. These homes support pollination, which is essential for the garden’s plants to thrive. In addition to being environmentally beneficial, the bee homes added an artistic and educational element to an empty space in the garden. These projects allowed me to combine my passion for civil engineering with my desire to give back and improve the community in creative and sustainable ways. Improving these physical spaces is about more than just construction—it’s about creating environments that nurture community pride, health, and safety. I want to continue designing infrastructure that not only meets practical needs but also inspires people to take care of their surroundings and each other. Alongside improving infrastructure, I am passionate about expanding educational opportunities, especially in STEM fields, for young people in my community. Many students, especially girls and students of color, don’t have access to mentors or programs that can guide them toward careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. I want to change that by creating mentorship programs, tutoring, and workshops that make STEM accessible and exciting. Helping young people discover their passions and strengths in these fields can open doors and create opportunities that will uplift our community for generations to come. Improving my community is important to me because I know from my own experience how hard it can be to overcome obstacles when opportunities are limited. Growing up in a single-parent household, I’ve seen the sacrifices my family has made and how much impact a little support can have. I am committed to using my education and skills as a civil engineering student to build more than structures—I want to build stronger, healthier, and more vibrant communities where everyone has the chance to succeed. This is not just about buildings or programs; it’s about hope, empowerment, and creating a legacy of positive change. I am ready to continue serving my community, leveraging my skills and passion to make a lasting impact—one project, one person, and one purpose at a time.

Growing up in a single-parent household with my dad, life has not always been easy. We have faced many challenges, financial struggles, sacrifices, and moments when it felt like there were more obstacles than opportunities. But through it all, my family has taught me the meaning of resilience, determination, and hope. These lessons have shaped who I am today and drive me every day to pursue my dreams with unwavering focus. My dad has been my rock, working tirelessly to provide for us while supporting my education and passions. Watching him balance so much with so little has inspired me to push harder and make the most of every chance I get. I know that my success will not only change my life but also honor the sacrifices my family has made. From a young age, I set clear goals for myself. I want to become a civil engineer, earn my Professional Engineer license, and one day lead a major engineering firm or start my own company. My passion for civil engineering comes from a desire to build safe, sustainable spaces that improve communities, especially those that look like mine and often get overlooked. I want my work to create lasting change, making a real difference in the lives of others. Achieving these goals has required discipline and hard work. Throughout high school, I balanced my academics with leadership roles and community service, volunteering at food pantries, participating in engineering clubs, and mentoring younger students interested in STEM. Now, as a rising sophomore at North Carolina A&T State University, I continue that dedication by actively engaging in the National Society of Black Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers, while preparing to mentor young girls in STEM next year. Despite the financial hurdles, I have remained focused on my studies and my passion for leadership and service. I am proud to be a new member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, a recognition of my commitment to academic excellence. Every achievement is a step closer to breaking cycles and creating opportunities, not just for me, but for my family and community. The journey has not been easy, but I believe that struggle builds strength. My family’s sacrifices fuel my ambition. Their faith in me pushes me forward. I am determined to overcome any barrier and reach my full potential. This scholarship would ease the financial burden on my family and allow me to focus more on excelling in my studies and continuing my service. In the end, my story is one of perseverance, hope, and the belief that hard work combined with passion can transform lives. I am ready to keep fighting for my dreams and to build a future that honors where I came from while making a positive impact on the world.

Going to North Carolina A&T State University has been a powerful and defining part of my journey. It is not just where I study; it is where I have found my home, my community, and my purpose. From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt the pride and legacy of the Aggie family—a legacy built on excellence, leadership, and making real change. Being a civil engineering major here is about more than books and exams. It is about preparing myself to be a leader who uses knowledge and skill to uplift others and leave a lasting impact. In high school, I discovered my passion for engineering and serving others. I spent my time volunteering at food pantries, helping distribute meals at food drives, knitting sweaters for the elderly, and creating care bags for those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every year, I donate toys to Toys for Tots because giving back has always been close to my heart. Growing up in a single-parent household, I learned early on the importance of resilience, hard work, and supporting your community. Now, as a student at NC A&T, I continue that commitment by mentoring young girls interested in STEM, actively participating in the National Society of Black Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers, and embracing leadership roles that allow me to serve with purpose. Being an Aggie means embracing a powerful legacy of innovation and pride. It means carrying forward a tradition of excellence and breaking barriers while staying grounded in service and community. At NC A&T, I am not only learning to be a skilled engineer, but I am also growing into a confident leader who understands the responsibility of making a difference. As a young Black woman in STEM, this journey is especially meaningful. I feel proud to stand on the shoulders of those who paved the way and inspired me to dream bigger. I am determined to honor that legacy and build my own path forward. My long-term goal is to become a licensed Professional Engineer and hold a leadership position at a major civil engineering firm. One day, I plan to start my own firm where I can create infrastructure that truly serves and protects underserved communities, especially people of color who have been overlooked for far too long. For me, engineering is not just a career. It is a calling to build safe, sustainable, and innovative spaces that improve lives and empower communities. What qualifies me for this scholarship is my heart for others, my unwavering drive to lead, and my lived experience as a young Black woman pursuing STEM. It is the goodness in my heart and my commitment to use every opportunity to help those around me. I am ready to take everything I have learned here at NC A&T and continue accelerating the good—not just in my community, but in the world. Being a student at North Carolina A&T State University means carrying the pride of the Aggie spirit in everything I do. It means being part of something bigger than myself and knowing that I am creating a legacy that will last. I am proud to be an Aggie and excited to keep pushing forward, growing, and making a meaningful difference through my education and passion for civil engineering.

When I think about what has shaped me, it’s not just the grades I’ve earned or the clubs I’ve joined. It’s the moments when I chose to care deeply about others, even when it wasn’t easy. Growing up in Philadelphia, I witnessed challenges many people face every day, especially those without a place to call home. Seeing the homeless crisis grow in my city opened my eyes early on to the power of compassion and the importance of service. In high school, I found ways to act on those feelings. Volunteering at food pantries, helping distribute meals at food drives, and knitting sweaters for the elderly were more than just activities to fill my time. They were opportunities to connect with people in need, to listen, and to offer hope. I remember how one small act, like handing out a toy to a child through Toys for Tots or assembling a care package during the pandemic, could brighten someone’s day. It was in those moments that I understood service wasn’t about recognition. It was about the impact made in the life of another human being. These experiences didn’t just stop when I graduated high school. They became the foundation of who I am as a college student today. At North Carolina A&T, I continue to nurture that same spirit of giving by mentoring younger girls interested in STEM, hoping to inspire them just as I was inspired. I am still that girl who believes in the power of lifting others up, and I am committed to being the support I once needed. Being inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and participating in organizations like the National Society of Black Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers are important to me, but they are only part of my story. What truly drives me is my desire to use my passion for civil engineering to make a real difference in underserved communities, especially in my hometown. I want to build safe, sustainable spaces that improve lives because I’ve seen firsthand how much those spaces are needed. Growing up in a single-parent household with my dad has taught me resilience, humility, and the importance of integrity. These values guide me daily, not just as a student or engineer, but as a person who wants to lead by example, serve with purpose, and listen with empathy. This scholarship would not only ease the financial burden of college but would also be a powerful affirmation of my journey. It would be a reminder that my passion to serve, my dedication to learning, and my hope to create positive change truly matter. It’s the good in my heart and my commitment to using every opportunity to help others. I am ready to take what I’ve learned and continue accelerating the good in my community and beyond. So what qualifies me? My heart for others. My drive to lead. My lived experience as a young Black woman in STEM. And my unwavering belief that engineering is my way to give back, one project, one person, and one purpose at a time.

When choosing my major, the only thing that came to mind was, does it make me happy? And do I see myself doing it for the rest of my life? With those two critical questions, the simple answer was yes, it does, but why? Michelle Obama once said, “I think that to be successful, women have to figure out what they’re passionate about first. No matter what you aspire to, you’ve got to love what you do to be successful at it.”. For me, selecting my intended major was a journey of self-discovery fueled by a deep-seated passion and a series of life-changing inspirations. I knew I wanted to help others from the early age of thirteen, but I didn’t know how. Growing up from the ages six to thirteen, I volunteered at an event called Warmth in Winter, where different homeless shelters and organizations came together and celebrated the holiday season with brunch, a party, and gifts. In 2018, when serving people, an eight-year-old girl approached my table and asked for assistance getting her meal. After I helped her get everything she wanted, she said, “Thank you for the food, and I hope I can help at this event like you, too.” From there, I was exposed to a world of wanting to give back, no matter its shape or form. Since then, service to others has been my life's core value and passion. I've always sought opportunities to contribute to my community and make a positive difference. I thought about creating a non-profit organization to build one-story homes for those needing shelter. In addition to creating an organization that provided job opportunities and refuge for homeless people until they got back on their feet. During the summer of 2020, I worked during the pandemic to fundraise and find ways to help the community stay safe outside their homes. Now, I’m President of a non-profit club (Youth Inspiration, YIP) at my school. However, not only has service been my life’s core value and passion, but so has design. As a kid, when baking in the kitchen with my uncle, design played a huge part in what our treats would look like. Along with that, it played a massive influence on my small business (Simone’s Sweets and Treats) and impacted whether I could make a sale or not. Furthermore, in 2018, when I began attending STEM school for middle school; design was essential to my everyday curriculum, especially in my Engineering class and Intro to Computer Design. When building bridges, coding robots, and editing videos, my passion for design started to emerge. From there, I attended STEM leadership academies, where I was able to show my interest and talent when designing my team's product to help fight climate change. In addition, I joined WRT ACE Design and Build team, where my talent showed even more when designing sports-related trash enclosures. Moreover, civil engineering offered a unique platform to combine my passions for service and design. The ability to work on projects that have a direct and lasting impact on people's lives, such as improving access to clean water, building safe structures, and creating sustainable transportation networks, deeply resonated with my desire to serve and make a meaningful contribution to society. Along with being able to design a grand structure and being able to share it with the person beside me, my family, or even my future children. I am driven by the belief that civil engineering is not merely a career choice but a powerful means to leave a lasting impact on my community and possibly the world.

Every year, from the ages of six to thirteen years old, I volunteered at an event called Warmth in Winter, where different homeless shelters and organizations came together and celebrated the holiday season with brunch, a party, and gifts. While serving people in 2018, an eight-year-old girl approached my table and asked for assistance getting her meal. After I helped her get everything she wanted, she said, “Thank you for the food, and I hope I can help at this event like you, too.” At that moment, the biggest smile appeared on my face, and my heart was filled with love. From there, I knew I wanted to continue helping others no matter what shape or form or how big or small. Not having a complete idea of how I could help, my mind bounced around. I thought about creating a non-profit organization to build one-story homes for those needing shelter. In addition to creating an organization that provided job opportunities and refuge for homeless people until they got back on their feet. But even with that, the ideas still were not set. During the summer of 2020, I worked during the pandemic to fundraise and find ways to help assist the community in staying safe outside of their homes. But even with fundraising and dreaming of ideas, I wanted to do more. Then, in 2021, my parents signed me up for a local university's engineering day camp to learn about engineering. Guest speakers throughout the week, each presented about different types of engineering, none stuck out besides two people. They talked about a kind of engineering where they were able to help people in their community but in a much bigger way: cleaning up oil spills, fixing contaminated grounds, building affordable housing, and creating underground parking garages. They sparked an interest in me: civil engineering. As soon as I got home, I googled “What is civil engineering?” I learned that civil engineering is about maintaining the quality of life within our cities, designing, constructing, and building structures that are necessary to our everyday lives. I did not know this type of work existed, and seeing how it combined one of two of my passions into something advanced was surreal. I knew with this kind of engineering, I could make a huge difference not just in someone else's life but in mine. I began envisioning my design as a grand structure, and the thought of being able to share with the person beside me, my family, or even my future children that I played a part in constructing it filled me with great joy. I imagined the amazement on their faces as I answered any questions and inside details about the structure that other people might not have known. As a result of imagining something I designed coming to life, I got an internship with a global engineering company (JACOBS) in the summer of my ninth-grade year. After working there, I was not completely sold yet on civil engineering; I needed more information. So, I got another internship (AECOM) in the summer of my tenth-grade year. When working, at first, I was utterly nervous since I was the youngest intern they ever hired. I was worried about the work I would be given, but that feeling did not last long. I was welcomed with kind, open arms to a community filled with loving and diverse people who were excited to assist me in gaining a deeper understanding of civil engineering. Over two months, I learned that the various branches of civil engineering weren't solely focused on constructing buildings. Instead, there were specialized departments dedicated to areas such as transportation, environmental concerns, stormwater management, and many other areas. As I stand in this new chapter of my life, I am now driven by the belief that civil engineering is not merely a career choice; it is a powerful means to leave a lasting impact not only on my community but possibly the world. I now know my two passions, service and design, are not separate but connected. With my steady dedication to service, the pursuit of my passion, and the knowledge I have gained through my internships, I am ready to embark on this path that I believe can bring about positive change, innovation, and solutions to some of our most pressing challenges. I am committed to using my skills and knowledge to contribute to a brighter future for all, knowing that it will lead me to a fulfilling and impactful career.