Eight women pursuing careers in residential construction recently were awarded Professional Women in Building/National Housing Endowment “Strategies for Success” scholarships for the 2009-2010 academic year.

Established in 2001, the scholarships are awarded to students enrolled in housing-related programs — including construction management, construction technology, civil engineering, architecture, design and the construction trades — at a two- or four-year college, university or vocational school.

Forty-two students applied for scholarships this year.

Shelley Schlagel, who is studying construction management and interior design at Pittsburg State University in Kansas, was awarded the top scholarship of $2,000. An NAHB Student Chapter member with a near-perfect grade point average, Schlagel wants to pursue a career building quality, energy-efficient homes.

“I feel very confident with the career path I have chosen,” Schlagel said. “Even though it will be hard, my passion for construction management will push me through anything. Support through all the women in construction organizations does make a difference and makes the process easier.”

Earning $1,500 scholarships were Christen Callahan, an architecture student at the University of Florida in Gainesville; and Jessica Chyinski, a construction management student at Southern Utah University in Cedar City.

Five students received $600 scholarships. They were:

• Hannah Hindman, who is studying architecture at The University of Kansas
• Amy Johnson, who earned an undergraduate degree in architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and is pursuing a master’s in architecture from Parsons The New School for Design in New York
• Jessica Labac, who is studying architecture at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
• Karen Long, who is studying interior design at Johnson County Community College in Kansas
• Lucinda Philumalee, who is studying real estate development at the University of Maryland, College Park

“The number of talented and passionate women interested in the building industry is astounding,” said Carole Jones, of Robert R. Jones Homes in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and a Region C trustee of NAHB's Professional Women in Building and member of its scholarship committee. “Supporting education is vital. In order for our industry to thrive in the future, it is imperative to support the motivated students of today.”

“This scholarship fund is truly in keeping with our mission,” said Robert Mitchell, endowment chairman and 2000 NAHB president. “The endowment is working to increase the number of professionals entering residential construction and this scholarship, along with other programs we sponsor, is leading the effort to reward and encourage the best and brightest to choose this field.

“We are especially excited by the increase in females entering this profession and are proud to offer them this scholarship support,” he added.

Each year, the endowment awards more than $300,000 in scholarships to students studying residential construction and related fields. For more information, visit www.nationalhousingendowment.org.