2020-2021 WPG Scholarship Recipients

Nicole Pepito

Keilly O'Reilly

Congratulations to Nicole Pepito!

She is a recipient of the

2020 WPG Scholarship.

Nicole Pepito is currently attending the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Program. Nicole graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Prairie View A&M University with honors.

For the past 5 years, she has worked as a Registered Nurse in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center. Nicole has developed a sincere passion for nursing and providing high quality patient care. This has led to her advancing her education to reach her dreams of becoming a FNP. As a future FNP, Nicole aspires to promote healthy lifestyle and provide compassionate community service through caring for her patients and their families.

She graduates in May 2021 and plans to work in an underserved community clinic within Houston. Along with her dedication to the nursing field, she also enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and volunteering at her local church and various nursing organizations.

Keilly O'Reilly

Congratulations to Keilly O'Reilly!

She is a recipient of the

2020 WPG Scholarship.

Keilly O’Reilly is a third-year undergraduate student in the Honors College at the University of Houston attaining her degrees in Political Science and Economics, as well as minoring in Phronesis (the study of politics and ethics) and Finance. Keilly is interested in international relations and local government.

Keilly enjoys learning about legislative research and the legislative process in her current internship with the Harris County Intergovernmental and Global Affairs Office. She also has experience in local political campaigns. With the University of Houston, Keilly participates in the Model G20 and the Model Arab League, cultivating her skills in leadership, diplomacy, and debate.

Personally, Keilly enjoys reading and spending as much time as she can outside. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, rock climbing, and hiking are some of her favorite activities.

Cassidy Lee

Keilly O'Reilly

Cassidy Lee

Congratulations to Cassidy Lee! She is a recipient of the

2021 WPG Scholarship.

Cassidy Lee is a student at the University of Houston where she’s pursuing a bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish. She’s an active member on campus, serving as a student employee and mentor in the Honors College Program, aiding first-year students with their transition to college life. In this role, she keeps incoming students informed on a number of critical resources, from counseling services and equal opportunity services to boundaries and identity positioning. She also creates content for the Model Arab League, which follows the United Nations model, in advance of competitions.

Beyond campus, Cassidy works at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and volunteers at the Houston Food Bank. Cassidy previously interned for a State Representative’s District Office. She’s an aspiring lawyer who wants to do her part to lift women and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

WPG Scholarships

2022 Fall Scholarship Application

Fall Scholarship Application is Now Open until November 1, 2022!

Women Professionals in Government awards merit-based scholarships twice each year (Spring and Fall) to female residents of the Greater Houston area who are students in good standing attending an accredited university. The Scholarship winner also receives a one-year membership to Women Professionals in Government. Applicants must be pursuing studies to further a career in public service. Graduate applicants must have completed at least 12 graduate hours. Undergraduate applicants must have completed at least 30 undergraduate hours. Applicants are required to submit their official transcripts to scholarship@wpghouston.com along with one essay (250 words) that describes their career goals, and details the challenges they faced and overcame in their career or educational journey. The winners are selected based on a scorecard that incorporates their community service, academic history, and public service related employment. The Board of Directors for Women Professionals in Government has approved three scholarships for Fall 2022. The first-place winner will receive a $1,500.00 scholarship, a luncheon, and a student membership, the second-place winner will receive a $1,000.00 scholarship and a luncheon, and the third-place winner will receive a $500.00 scholarship and a luncheon. Once the scorecards are compiled by the Scholarship Committee, the Scholarship Chair presents the slate of candidates to the Board of Directors for Women Professionals in Government for a vote.

For more information, please email (scholarship@wpghouston.com).

Spring 2022 WPG Scholarship Recipient

Congratulations to Hannah Gill!

University of Houston

$1,500 WPG Spring Scholarship Winner

Hannah Gill is a graduate student at the University of Houston, where she is pursuing a Master of Social Work. She received a Bachelor of Social Work from Kansas State University in 2019. Hannah solidified her passion for social work and advocating for the most vulnerable in our community while completing extensive fieldwork at Saint Francis Ministries, a non-profit dedicated to the needs of children and youth through a broad range of programs and services. While there, she visited with dozens of children monthly, attended court hearings and experienced the entire adoption process. Her first-hand experience with the child welfare system underscored the limited number of resources and the need for dedicated social workers.

Hannah believes that obtaining a Master of Social Work is a crucial step to helping those in unjust circumstances. She aspires to create positive change in the lives of children through public policy.