Scholarships
WCA awards student scholarships to undergrad students every year.
Both scholarships are intended to support college student engaged in communications-related curriculum. The scholarships are awarded to the chosen applicants at the annual Banner Brunch event in the Spring. WCA funds scholarship programs through a portion of membership dues, event ticket prices, and private donations. View the list of past scholarship recipients.
Jo Caldwell Meyer Merit-Based Scholarship
2024 Scholarship Award Amount: $5,000.00
A treasured community leader and member of WCA for 24 years, Jo Caldwell Meyer was the national executive secretary of Theta Sigma Phi, the professional society for women in communication, and predecessor to Women Communicators of Austin. Jo began her work at the University of Texas School of Journalism as an administrative assistant and served as an executive assistant of the College of Communication until she retired in 1965. Jo passed away on December 27, 2001 at the age of 91. Our organization dedicated the scholarship in her name in the spring of 2002. Learn About Jo Caldwell Meyer
Julie Tereshchuk Need-Based Scholarship
2024 Scholarship Award Amount: $5,000.00
A beloved and active member of WCA for 20 years, Julie served on the WCA Board of Directors in 2009 and became president from 2011 to 2012. Julie was passionate about lifting women up and supporting future generations of women communicators and generously donated to the Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship fund. She also served as a mentor for WCA’s mentor program and was the author of the Ask A Mentor blog for many years. Julie was honored by the WCA many times, receiving the President’s Award in 2004, the Gladys Whitney Hearst Outstanding Member Award in 2007, and the Leadership Award in 2015. The scholarship was created in her name by her husband Trevor Richards in the Fall of 2022. Learn About Julie Tereshchuk
How to Apply
Eligible Central Texas undergrad college students are encouraged to apply for WCA Scholarships.
Eligibility Requirements
- Full-time student currently enrolled with a minimum of 12 hours
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Completed minimum of 30 hours of coursework
- Demonstrated career commitment in communications or media
- Enrolled in a Central Texas college or university*
*Central Texas college or university is defined as being located in the 10-county Capital region in Central Texas including Bastrop, Blanco, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Llano, Travis and Williamson Counties.
The scholarship application requires completion of a short essay and a letter of recommendation. If you are a scholarship finalist, you may be asked to produce a transcript and confirm class enrollment.
2024 Scholarship applications are now closed, and the scholarship recipients are finalized. The next open application period will be in 2025.
Scholarships will be awarded at WCA’s annual Banner Brunch in Spring of 2024.
About Jo Caldwell Meyer
WCA awards the Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship to at least one deserving undergrad student every year. A treasured community leader and member of WCA for 24 years, Jo Caldwell Meyer was the national executive secretary of Theta Sigma Phi, the professional society for women in communication, and predecessor to Women Communicators of Austin.
Jo began her work at the University of Texas School of Journalism as an administrative assistant and served as executive assistant of the College of Communication until she retired in 1965. Jo passed away on December 27, 2001 at the age of 91.
Our organization dedicated the scholarship in her name in the spring of 2002. Learn more about WCA’s history.
About Julie Tereshchuk
About Julie Tereshchuk: Julie joined what was then the Association for Women in Communications in 2003 and was one of WCA’s most beloved members. She served on the WCA Board of Directors in 2009 and went on to become president from 2011 to 2012. Julie was passionate about lifting women up and supporting the future generation of women communicators. She gave generously to the Jo Caldwell Meyer Scholarship fund each year. She also served as a mentor for WCA’s Mentor Program, which was established in 2014, and was the author of the Ask A Mentor blog for many years. Julie was honored by the organization numerous times, receiving the President’s Award in 2004, the Gladys Whitney Hearst Outstanding Member Award in 2007, and the Leadership Award in 2015.
Julie served as Editor-in-Chief of Texas Lifestyle Magazine for nearly eight years. Prior to that, she was a freelance writer and editor, and the Special Features Editor for Austin Woman Magazine. She was also a Past President of the Metropolitan Breakfast Club. Julie and her husband adored supporting cultural organizations in Austin in particular KUT, The Paramount Theater, and the Austin Theatre Alliance.
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