The Wendy Jo Shaffer Foundation Fund is a partner fund of the White Bear Lake Community Foundation. To learn more about Wendy and the fund, click here.
The Wendy Jo Shaffer Scholarship for Women in Engineering Scholarship Program
The Wendy Jo Shaffer Scholarship for Women in Engineering is designed to benefit and empower highly motivated high school and college-aged women who are interested in pursuing a career in engineering. The scholarship is launching in 2026 and administered by the Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation (MAEF).
Applicants will be considered based on the following characteristics:
- Must be a graduating Mahtomedi High School female senior.
- Plans to pursue a career in an engineering, math, or science field at an accredited program of higher learning.
- Demonstrated financial need.
- Participation in community service, extracurricular activities, and/or work experience.
- Demonstrated positive impact on family, school and community and pursuit of career goals.
- Statement of career and educational goals and objectives
- Outside appraisal (in the letter of reference from a teacher, counselor, or employer)
- Personal statement
Scholarship awards may be used for tuition, room and board, or to serve as a stipend to cover certain costs associated with the student’s participation in an unpaid summer educational internship. The Foundation anticipates awarding one scholarship annually for $1,000, beginning in 2026. Applications are open from mid December through mid March each year, at the Mahtomedi Area Educational Foundation website. Click here to learn more.
MAEF and the Scholarship Selection Committee will review applications and may interview applicants. Individuals related to members of the Scholarship Selection Committee are not eligible to receive a scholarship from the Foundation.
Mentorship Program
In addition to the scholarship program, the Foundation is working to develop a mentorship program that will partner high school female students with adult female mentors in engineering careers. The program will be designed to provide mentees with successful, female role models and to connect mentees with resources to support their success in obtaining a higher education and entering into the workforce. Additional information on objectives and structure will be added in the future.