We're funding the next generation
of female leaders in the water industry.

The Women in Water Scholarship Fund encourages young women to pursue fulfilling careers developing, managing and conserving water. This annual scholarship has been increased to $7,500 annually by the WIW Board of Directors. It is awarded to a woman pursuing an undergraduate degree in preparation for a career in any element of water resources, including water law, communications, community and government relations, or engineering.




Women In Water Proudly awards fifth scholarship

Gabriela Andrino, a senior at Nevada State College, is the fifth recipient of the Women in Water Scholarship, awarded annually to an undergraduate student demonstrating a commitment to a career in Western water resources.

For Gabriela, that career path includes graduate school and working in water quality for the Southern Nevada Water Authority, where she has already worked as an intern.

WIW’s five-member board selected Gabriela from a strong group of candidates.

“The board was impressed with her drive to achieve her goals, and the effort she has made thus far to learn and to work her way to a degree in a field she is passionate about,” WIW President Christine Arbogast said. “It seems clear, the more she is challenged to succeed, the more determined she is to succeed.”

The WIW Scholarship application relies heavily on the applicant’s 800-word essay stating their vision to work in Western water, as well as their resume’, letters of recommendation and academic performance.

See Gabriela’s essay here

The academic year 2024-25 application process will open in April of 2024.

We care about women in water because we are women in water.

ABOVE: (left to right) WIW President Christine Arbogast, Upper Colorado River Commissioner Becky Mitchell and Commissioner of Reclamation Camille Touton celebrate the groundbreaking of the Arkansas Valley Conduit in Pueblo, Colorado.

The number of women in leaderships roles in Western water has grown immensely as opportunities to make a real difference in our unique, semi-arid region are on the rise. 

ABOVE: Three women lead water for the State of Colorado. Attending the Colorado Water Congress summer meeting were (left to right) Kelly Romero-Heaney, deputy director for water at the Department of Natural Resources and water lead in Governor Polis' office; Upper Colorado River Commissioner Becky Mitchell; and Lauren Ris, newly appointed executive director of the Colorado Water Conservation Board.

The photos on this page are just a few which showcase the breadth of talent that is coming to the challenging world of water sustainability and resilience.   The WIW scholarship fund strives to continue the range of possibilities to make a tangible difference in our Western communities, large and small. 

If you would like to help us sustain this scholarship fund, please consider a one-time donation, a monthly or annual contribution, or a legacy contribution.  Your participation will be greatly appreciated, and your contributions are 100 percent tax deductible as provided by law.






group Arizona Association of
Women in Water and Agriculture

Women in Water supporters
Stephanie Liesner and Meghan Scott
launched the Arizona Association of
Women in Water and Agriculture,
inspired by our organization.
WIW Board President Christine Arbogast
was a keynote speaker at the launch event.


From left to right, Ms. Liesner, executive assistant, Agribusiness & Water Council of Arizona; Ms. Scott, Noble Law of Yuma, Arizona; Brenda Burman, the first woman to serve as the Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation; Ms. Arbogast; and Leslie James, WIW Board Member and executive director of the Colorado River Energy Distributors Association. Photo courtesy of AAWWA.

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Invest in women.
When you contribute to the Women in Water Scholarship Fund, you're helping young women pursue fulfilling careers developing, managing and conserving this finite resource.

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