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EGIA Foundation Welcomes 2022-2023 HVAC HERO Scholarship Recipients

EGIA Foundation Welcomes 2022-2023 HVAC HERO Scholarship Recipients

The EGIA Foundation is excited to announce the recipients of the 2022-2023 EGIA Foundation HVAC HERO Scholarship program as part of its ongoing commitment to improving the workforce shortage in the home services industry. A judging panel consisting of contractors, board members, and other industry professionals selected 19 students based on academic merit, financial need, and their passion for the industry to receive $2,500 each to help cover the cost of HVAC-related tuition at accredited institutions during the 2022-2023 academic year.

Founded in 2018, the EGIA Foundation began the HVAC HERO Scholarship program in response to the growing labor shortage affecting contracting businesses across the country. To date, the Foundation has awarded 87 scholarships to talented, hardworking students in 29 states across the country, totaling over $217,000 that has been directed towards helping educate the future of the HVAC industry’s workforce. The EGIA Foundation is proud to continue the progress of removing financial barriers to ensure that future industry workers may pursue a career that they are passionate about and proud of.

Get to know the 2022-2023 HVAC HERO Scholarship class below. If you or someone you know is looking to start a career in HVAC, you can apply for this year’s HVAC HERO Scholarship by visiting AlwaysInDemand.com/Apply.

To view the full list of scholarship recipients since 2018, visit our HVAC Hero Scholarship Recipients page.

Adrian Gallegos
Seward County Community College
Garden City, KS

I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps and be certified as a universal technician in HVACR. I love fixing equipment and learning new material. Once I graduate, I want to get experience out in the field for a couple of years and travel the United States while working on the differnt systems.

Ashlyn Jackson
John A Logan College
Carbondale, IL

I have a strong passion for science and technology, as well as entrepreneurship. With the help of the people I’ve met, as well as my own passion to provide a needed service to my neighbors and community members, HVAC has impowered me progress toward this growing and exciting career field.

Brenda Martinez
Perry Technical Institute
Yakima, WA

As I researched the HVAC/R industry, I found so many branches and specialties within this trade, with no shortage of possibilities and opportunities. I am excited to help to my community and the individuals I encounter when I become an International Refrigeration Technology Technician.

Brian Carbajal
Yakima Valley Community College
Selah, WA

I am the first person out of my family to go to any big trade school, so it’s pretty exciting for me to be doing something so different. I have always been the type to learn best when I can see, feel and be right in front of what I’m learning, and I am excited to start my HVAC journey. I can’t wait to get out in the field and work.

Diana Montiel Silva
Wake Technical Community College
Durham, NC

My dad used to let me go help him out with his HVAC jobs. With each new job, I grasped skills quickly, which mand me fall in love with the industry. To me, the greatest part of the job is not only when you finish, but when you also leave your customer happy and confident that their unit is now working properly.

Jaxon Barber
Guilford Technical Community College
Greensboro, NC

When I was making my decision about what path I wanted to pursue after high school, I initially was going to go into another trade. After consulting family and mentors, I decided to go into HVAC and couldn’t be happier. After graduation, I have a long-term vision of starting an employee-owned HVAC business.

Jeremy Conti
Quinsigamond Community College
Grafton, MA

What inspired me to pursue an HVAC technical education is the sheer scope and possibilities the industry presents. My plans after graduation are to sharpen my new skillset as a service technician for residential and commercial systems, and contribute to the sustainable energy movement.

Jose Gurrola
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Kansas City, KS

My inspiration to pursue a career in the HVAC industry is to not only better my life, but also provide a better future for my daughter. I find the HVAC field challenging and enjoyable, and I love the trouble shooting process that goes into it. I feel like the being a HVAC technician is a perfect fit for me.

Joseph Huerta
Seward County Community College
Garden, KS

What inspired me to join the HVAC-R technical school was that it’s a great trade to get into, especially as this job is needed everywhere in the states. I also wanted to learn a trade that I would be a able to benefit from financially. I plan to work with a company after graduating to become a better HVAC technician.

Julian Lara
Ferris State University
Grand Rapids, MI

I was inspired to choose this career path by my cousin, who is in the industry. I see the demand for honest and knowledgeable HVAC techs sky rocketing. Not many other people my age are interested in doing hands-on, difficult work, which makes me a valuable asset. I can’t wait to graduate and get into the field!

Juan Garcia
College of Southern Nevada
Las Vegas, NV

What inspired me to puruse a degree in HVAC is my family, and my love for the trade. I’ve worked in construction in the past, and saw HVAC technical education as the next step in my career. My plans after graduation are to keep studying while working to improve my knowledge and to become one of the best technicians out there.

Kyna Cardenas
San Joaquin Valley College – Temecula
Lake Elsinore, CA

My inspiration to pursue an HVAC technical education was to make a better life for not only my family but for myself as well. I know through this industry I am going to have to prove myself by being a team player, that I’m open to new ideas, as well as proving my independence when working with equipment.

Marshall Stephens
Oakland Community College
Rochester Hills, MI

I have worked as a maintenance person for the past few years and while I enjoy it, I feel it is time for me to expand my skills and pursue HVAC as a profession. As I complete my first semester in the HVAC Program, I have enjoyed the physics and science involved in the trade, and I can’t wait to graduate so that I can expand my skills.

Mellena Everett
J. F. Drake State Technical College
Huntsville, AL

I was inspired to pursue this career by my uncle, who is also in the trade. I was a bit apprehensive at first as I was the only female in the class, but I persevered and have enjoyed every minute of it. My career vision is to become a licensed HVAC technician and to provide heating and cooling solutions for people in my community.

Nathan Luehrs
Northwest Technical College
Bemidji, MN

Growing up, I was always curious how things worked. If something wasn’t working right, I’d take it apart and try to fix it. After my first 2 years at college, I decided to find a job where I could work with my hands, which is why I decided to switch to HVAC. I enjoy being challenged, and I believe that HVAC/R work will keep me on my toes.

Nicholas Wiederholt
Chippewa Valley Technical College
Rice Lake, WI

I have always been interested in HVAC, ever since I was a kid helping my dad work in the backyard. Now that I am almost done with my first year in the program, I can truly say that this is the industry for me. I am looking forward to finding a summer internship where I can get some experience with building automation and industrial HVACR systems.

Stephan Przybylowicz
Piedmont Virginia Community College
Louisa, VA

I currently live in an income-sharing community, and one of our main goals as a community in self-sufficiency. As the community’s equipment maintenance manager, I’d like to pursue formal training in HVAC and be able to install and maintain our current and future climate control systems, as this will greatly improve our quality of life and longterm maintenance of our buildings.

Zachary Sale
Perry Technical Institute
Piqua, OH

All my life, I knew I wanted to do some form of trade school. When my family received a new HVAC system in our house, I watched the technicians do their job and I knew that this was a career path I would like to pursue. While I am a great student in school, I am more of a hands-on person that does better with fixing things. I look forward to starting my career as an HVAC technician.

Isaiah Jackson
Texas State University
Houston, TX

I decided to go into the HVAC trade because it’s a high-demand job and in places like Texas, air conditioning is the number one priority in a household. After I graduate, I plan on working at a company that will help me continue building my skills so that eventually, I can own my own contracting business.

EGIA Foundation HVAC HERO Scholarship Now Accepting Applications for 2023-2024

The EGIA Foundation HVAC HERO Scholarship is now accepting applications!

High school seniors and recent graduates can now apply for the EGIA Foundation’s HVAC HERO Scholarship, which provides up to 20 recipients $2,500 apiece to help students pursuing an education in HVAC at a trade school, junior college, or other accredited programs for the 2023-2024 academic year. As in years past, the 2023-2024 class will be selected based on financial need, career aspirations and academic merit, continuing to ensure financial hurdles are not a barrier for more dedicated young people to enter the industry.

Since its inception in 2018, the EGIA Foundation HVAC HERO Scholarship program has fundeded 87 scholarships to students attending 65 schools across 29 states, totaling over $217,500. The EGIA Foundation aims to fill the employment gap in the HVAC industry with qualified and passionate people, as it also attempts to reshape the stigma surrounding the trades by empowering students choose HVAC as their first-choice career path.

The EGIA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to expanding the benefits the public receives from the home services industry through education, research and the development of the next generation of qualified workers.

STUDENTS & PARENTS: Learn More About the HVAC HERO Scholarship and Apply!

A career in HVAC offers an exciting, people-focused job that requires a short school education with virtually no student loan debt. You’ll have access to one of the highest-paying starting salaries, a direct path to owning your own business, and no sitting at a desk! Best of all, you’ll have a real impact in your community and help customers choose energy-efficient products that will make our world cleaner and healthier. Click the buttons below to apply for the HVAC Scholarship, meet past winners, and explore your future in HVAC.

CONTRACTORS & DISTRIBUTORS: Reach Out For Your Branded HVAC HERO Scholarship Communications Toolkit

The EGIA Foundation has developed a communications toolkit to help you easily share the HVAC HERO Scholarship with social media post, flyer and html email with your brand front and center. Send an email to ctodd@egia.org to request yours today!

EVERYONE: Share the EGIA Foundation’s HVAC HERO Scholarship with your network!

Do you know any high school seniors or recent graduates who are looking to start a career in HVAC? Tell them that by filling out a quick online application, they could be one of the 20 individuals to receive a $2,500 scholarship from the EGIA Foundation! Click the buttons below to share this opportunity on social media and email!

EGIA Foundation HVAC Scholarship Winners 2021-2022

The EGIA Foundation is pleased to introduce the 2021-2022 class of HVAC Scholarship Winners. This year, the EGIA Foundation is awarding 15 students $2,500 apiece to help them in their education of HVAC-related careers at trade schools, community collegesand other accredited institutions.With a judging panel that consisted of industry professionals, the final recipients were selected based upon financial need, academic merit, and career aspirations.

The EGIA Foundation Scholarship was designed to help bring more talented, hard-working young adults into the HVAC industry to remedy the ongoing workforce shortage. Since its inception in 2018, the EGIA FoundationScholarship Programhas awarded $180,000 in scholarship funds to over 72enthusiastic students studying to enter the HVAC workforce.

“We are thrilled to award this year’s scholarships to these dedicated students who are excited about contributing to the industry,” said Bruce Matulich, EGIA Foundation Chairman andCEO. “Each year’s group of recipients builds upon the growing network of valuable workers entering into the HVAC workforce that the EGIA Foundation has grown in the last four years. This year’s recipients have shown to be a promising group of individuals wherever their careers take them, and the industry will benefit greatly wherever they go.” The EGIA Foundation can’t wait to see what the class of 2021 will do as they go forward into the workforce, as well as the multitude of high school students, recent graduates and others that our educational campaigns reach every day.”

Despite the difficulties that students have experienced due to the closure of schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021-22 scholarship cycle continued to reach students across the nation, resulting in hundreds of applications from committed students studying HVAC. These applicants consisted of students seeking education to better prepare themselves for a career in the industry, and the EGIA Foundation is proud to continue removing financial barriers that could prevent young people from pursuing career paths within the HVAC industry.

Going forward, the scholarship will continue to provide aid to students studying HVAC, as well as expand into other areas of the home services industry,including solar, plumbing, geothermal and others. To learn more about the EGIA Foundation and how you can donate to advance the HVAC workforce, click here.

Donate to Support the Future of HVAC

Hello Contractors,

As you know, over the past two decades, our network has been experiencing the effects of the shrinking skills gap. It is reported that 25% of the workforce will be of “retirement age” by 2020. At the same time, the home improvement industry will see a 15% growth in the number of jobs created just to meet the expected demand.

These challenges became the catalyst to create the EGIA Foundation, a nonprofit organization with a nationwide allied network that is taking on the challenge of reversing the misconceptions created by those outside the industry and developing a sustaining workforce made up of each successive up-and-coming generation.

A main focus of increasing the home services workforce is the annual EGIA Foundation Scholarship that awards up to 20 students $2,500 apiece to pursue an HVAC degree or certificate at an accredited community college, technical/vocational school, or approved technical institute. When we support these pursuits, we create a ready, willing and able workforce.

And yet, the price of higher education today stands as a barrier to many in achieving their goals. A large percent of graduating high school students are in need of financial aid in order to afford further education. Beyond the stress that new student’s experience, tuition cost leads to tough financial choices for most as they balance school, activities, and part-time jobs. These scholarships makes a lasting and significant impact on the HVAC industry. When a young person becomes involved in the industry, our organizations and companies gets stronger. The EGIA Foundations is committed to ensuring that the future is bright for the HVAC Industry and to remain organization that inspires others to learn, advance, and better our community.

To date, we have provided scholarships totaling more than $150,000 to over 50 students throughout the United States. Our goal is to grow the funds available for scholarships to help more students realize their dreams while bolstering the home services industry for many years to come.

SUPPORT THE EGIA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Your generous donations help us continue to provide scholarships, career-opportunities, and a brighter future for students and the industry at large. Not only do we accept cash donations, grants, and sponsorships, you also have the opportunity to contribute funds on behalf of Amazon and Home Depot by enrolling in our corporate partnership programs and shopping as you normally would – there is no additional cost to you!

Donations allow us to continue to grow and provide more (and larger) scholarships in future years. Beside the satisfaction that comes with helping to launch outstanding young people in their HVAC careers when you make a donation, you also recieve tax deductions and gain recognition for your participation. We provide recognition on our Foundation websites (egiafoundation.org and alwaysindemand.com), the Foundation Focus, and other marketing and promotional materials.

Ways to Give

CLICK HERE to make one-time annual donation or monthly ongoing donations

CLICK HERE to select EGIA Foundation as your charitable organization on AmazonSmile

CLICK HERE to learn more about the Home Depot ProXtra Loyalty Program and enroll

A gift of $2500 funds an individual scholarship, $50,000 provides a yearly endowment, and any amount helps toward our goal. Please consider a gift to the EGIA Foundation Scholarship Fund. Thank you for your support!

Support the HVAC industry with Home Depot

The EGIA Foundation is 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed by the Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA), aimed at expanding the benefits the public receives from the home services industry through education, research, and the development of the next generation of qualified workers. The EGIA Foundation encourages students to pursue HVAC careers by providing pathway plans, scholarship opportunities, positive ideals, resources, and personal connections.

In order to support the financial costs associated with funding in-depth industry research, promoting career paths in the home services industry, providing HVAC scholarships, and educating the public about the benefits of the trades, we have partnered with Home Depot to raise funds through their ProXtra Loyalty Program, a free membership provided by EGIA that gives you amazing discounts and perks while supporting our foundation with the purchases you already make in Home Depot stores – it doesn’t cost you anything extra!

The Home Depot will donate a half of a percent of your purchases to the EGIA Foundation. This funding will be used to support the current scholarship fund and launch new workforce job connection projects in 2021. Accounts must be registered/enrolled through the Pro Xtra website and tied to the EGIA Foundation agreement code in order for funds to be received into the EGIA Foundation Scholarship Fund.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PRO XTRA BENEFITS AND MONEY-SAVING TOOLS!

Pro Xtra is The Home Depot loyalty program helps you save time, save money and get rewarded through members-only benefits and money-saving tools, including:

– Donate .5% of every purchase to the EGIA Foundation

– Volume Pricing: members can save money on qualifying purchases of $1,500 or more

– Paint Rewards: Save up to 20% on paints, stains and primers

– Exclusive Offers: Get members-only offers on products and services

– Purchase Tracking: Save and organize your purchses; simplify tax preparation

– Text2Confirm: Authorize employee in-store purchases quickly via text. It’s easy!

How to Sign Up for Home Depot’s Pro Xtra Loyalty Program

Need Help in Enrolling? Contact the EGIA Foundation at (866) 562-9060 or info@egiafoundation.org and a representative will get you set up.

Your Support Helps the Industry Grow!

To date, the EGIA Foundation has awarded more than 50 students with over $150,000 of scholarships to pursue careers in HVAC and has helped business owners find and train skilled workers who have become invaluable assets to the industry and their respective communities. Supporting us through The Home Depot Pro Xtra Loyalty Program allows us to continue providing valuable resources, career opportunities, and growth to the home services industry and the best part is, it doesn’t cost you a dime!

Support the HVAC Industry with AmazonSmile

The EGIA Foundation is 501(c)3 non-profit organization formed by the Electric & Gas Industries Association (EGIA), aimed at expanding the benefits the public receives from the home services industry through education, research, and the development of the next generation of qualified workers. The EGIA Foundation encourages students to pursue HVAC careers by providing pathway plans, scholarship opportunities, positive ideals, resources, and personal connections.

In order to support the financial costs associated with funding in-depth industry research, promoting career paths in the home services industry, providing HVAC scholarships, and educating the public about the benefits of the trades, we have partnered with Amazon to raise funds through AmazonSmile, a program that gives us a small percentage of the purchases you already make when you shop online through Amazon. DON’T WORRY – It doesn’t cost you anything extra!

What is AmazonSmile?

AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. AmazonSmile is available at smile.amazon.com on your web browser and can be activated in the Amazon Shopping app for iOS and Android phones. When you shop at AmazonSmile, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the EGIA Foundation. Setting it up is simple, just follow the simple steps below!

How to Sign Up for AmazonSmile

1. Visit smile.amazon.com

2. Sign in with your Amazon.com credentials

3. Choose EGIA Foundation as your charitable organization to receive donations from Amazon

4. Start shopping!

5. Add a bookmark for smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile

Turn on AmazonSmile in the Amazon Shopping App

1. Make sure you’re signed up for AmazonSmile (follow the steps above)

2. Download or update to the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app for iOS or Android

3. Open the app and find “Settings” in the main menu (☰)

4. Tap on “AmazonSmile” and follow the on-screen instructions to turn on AmazonSmile in the app.

Click here to learn more about AmazonSmile, including detailed set-up instructions, donation-eligible products, and more!

Your Support Helps the Industry Grow!

To date, the EGIA Foundation has awarded more than 50 students with over $150,000 of scholarships to pursue careers in HVAC and has helped business owners find and train skilled workers who have become invaluable assets to the industry and their respective communities. Supporting us through AmazonSmile allows us to continue providing valuable resources, career opportunities, and growth to the home services industry and the best part is, it doesn’t cost you a dime!

Inspire Tomorrow’s HVAC Professional Today

Do you know any high school seniors or recent graduates who are looking to start a career in HVAC? Tell them that by filling out a quick online application, they could be one of the 20 individuals to receive a $ 2500 scholarship from the EGIA Foundation.

It would be much appreciated if you could share this information to your network and help us attract more students to apply. By clicking the links below, you can share the application page on your social media profiles or by email in just one click.

Share on Facebook

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Scholarships will be awarded based on eligibility requirements, academic merit, financial need, and interest of pursuing a career in residential HVAC or home performance contracting. Applicants will be asked to explain what inspired them to choose an HVAC technical education and their plans after graduation.

DEADLINE TO APPLY IS FEBRUARY 1, 2021

Eligibility Requirements

• Students planning to enroll or currently enrolled in an HVAC technical program at an accredited institution for the entire 2019-2020 academic year. Current students must continue to be enrolled through January 1, 2020.

• US Citizens, US Nationals, US Permanent Residents based on the guidelines utilized by the US Department of Education Federal Financial Aid eligibility

• Minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent

• Students pursuing an Associate’s Degree, Certificate, or Diploma in an HVAC technical program

• Preference will be given to high school seniors and students age 18-26

The EGIA Foundation a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the pipeline of talented young professionals selecting HVAC as their first-choice career thus, bolstering the industry’s ability to meet consumer demand well into the future. For more details on the Foundation’s work, please visit www.egiafoundation.org or www.alwaysindemand.com.

Margaret Ingels – Championing Residential Air Conditioning

When the Carrier Engineering Corporation introduced the home air conditioner in the beginning of the 20th century, Willis Carrier enlisted Margaret Ingels as engineer, educator, and spokesperson.

In 1916, Margaret Ingels became the first woman from the University of Kentucky and second woman in the United States to graduate with an engineering degree. Shortly after graduation, she began working as a traffic engineer but within a year, she began working for the Carrier-Lyle Corporation. Her experience sparked an interest in air conditioning and she wanted to advance her knowledge in the subject.

Ingles left the Carrier-Lyle Corporation to obtain her professional degree in Mechanical Engineering; another first for women in the United States. Afterwards, she worked in the American Society of Heating and Ventilation Engineers’ research lab and continued learning about conditioned air and ventilation.

In a few years, she returned to the Carrier-Lyle Corporation becoming the spokesperson of its newest undertaking: residential air conditioning. In its marketing publication, the Carrier Courier, she is described “as the first woman air-conditioning engineer who is undertaking a program of educational work among woman, designed to inform them of the advantages of Manufactured Weather in the home and how it can be made and controlled.”

Throughout her career, she traveled the country showcasing the benefits of residential air conditioning while remaining active in research. Ingles published roughly 50 papers and spoke to thousands about air conditioning and engineering. Additionally, she perfected the sling micrometer and developed the equation for “effective temperature,” which measures human comfort in relation to humidity and airflow.

She retired from the Carrier-Lyle Corporation in 1952 but not before finishing the biography, Willis Haviland Carrier, Father of Air Conditioning. Today, United Technologies honors her memory through the Margaret Ingels Engineering Development Program that provides the top engineering students a chance to be fully immersed in the field of product manufacturing.

Alice H. Parker – Forging the Foundation of HVAC

At the turn of the 20th century, women had few opportunities to make an impact on society; even less for a woman of color. Yet, one woman paved the way for central heating, thermostats, and zoning with the invention of the residential natural gas furnace. Her name is Alice H. Parker.

Prior to her invention, the majority of homes used wood or coal as the sole fuel source. Parker believed homes could be heated safely and more efficiently with natural gas, alleviating the need to acquire solid fuels. Specifically, her invention provides “a comparatively simple, reliable, and efficient heating furnace in which gas is employed for the fuel, whereby economy of labor and fuel costs [are] effective and [there is] greater flexibility in the operation obtained.”

Patent #1,325,905 was granted on December 23, 1919. Parker’s gas fired furnace brought cooler air into a heat exchanger and distributed warm air through ducts instead of the single floor register used in most homes of the day. Much like today’s HVAC zoning systems, the furnace contained multiple burners to allow occupants to vary the temperature or airflow to individual rooms. Although her concept was never produced, it showed the world that natural gas could be used to heat a home efficiently and create more comfortable living spaces for the occupants.

Whether you heat with gas, electric, or passive solar, be sure to give thanks to Alice Parker on this 100th year anniversary of her patent; a remarkable feat for an African-American woman of the 1910s.

Boost Your Brand with a Nonprofit Partnership

Contracting companies are partnering with the EGIA Foundation to strengthen the HVAC industry workforce and boost their brand purpose. As a contractor, you have a powerful opportunity to increase your impact by forming a similar partnership. Your brand is different but the motive is the same: doing good while doing business.

Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort for EGIA Foundation Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort for EGIA Foundation

Jason Hanson, President of Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort, is actively engaged in the HVAC industry and the communities he serves. One of their core values is ‘People Dedicated to Excellence.’ A fully trained and engaged team is crucial in achieving Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort’s brand purpose of being “driven to solve our client’s energy and comfort problems using our expertise with integrity, and fulfilling our commitments by delivering exceptional service and craftsmanship in such a manner that we become our client’s one and only choice”. These beliefs are rooted in their partnership with the EGIA Foundation. Going beyond a donor relationship, Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort is actively engaged in promoting the EGIA Foundation Scholarship Program through social media and email campaigns.

Consider promoting the EGIA Foundation Scholarship Program, like Jason, to boost your brand and connect with future employees. The EGIA Foundation Scholarship Program wants to give $2500 to 20 future HVAC technicians who are high school seniors or recent graduates. Weldon Long, New York Times bestselling author and contracting business expert, will tell you how in this clip from Cracking the Code. Our industry’s future needs your help.