The Student Endowment Fund was founded in 2004 to provide a stable source of funding for the District’s Student Initiatives Program. Each year, over $12,000, paid from the Endowment Fund, is spent on Student Initiatives with the objective of attracting the best and brightest to the transportation profession in the west.

ITE Western District has numerous opportunities for students to compete for awards, to obtain funding for travel expenses to Annual Meetings, and to network with transportation professionals. These Student Initiatives include the Data Collection Fund, James H. Kell Award, Outstanding Student Award, Student Chapter Award, Student Chapter Momentum Award, Student Paper Award, Student Regional Travel Scholarship, and Student Traffic Bowl.

The ITE Student Leadership Summit originated in the ITE Western District in 2014 at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The summits are entirely planned by students, for students. Through the promotion of leadership and professional development, these events aim to guide future transportation professionals. Approximately 100 students, both undergraduate and graduate, typically attend the two day event. In addition, ITE’s professional members typically provide support through sponsorships and participation in the summit’s program.

More information about joining ITE as a Student Member and establishing an ITE Student Chapter is available from ITE International.