How a WILS Scholarship Helped One Member Soar

Professional growth often begins with a single opportunity, and for Katie Schillen, that opportunity was made possible through the WILS scholarship that allowed her to attend the Soaring to New Heights Conference.

Before attending the conference, Katie was newly stepping into her role as a Preschool and Early Childhood Supervisor at the Arlington Heights Park District. With a background primarily in early childhood education and preschool teaching, transitioning further into the broader park district industry felt both exciting and intimidating. Without a formal degree or extensive experience in parks and recreation, she was unsure of what her professional journey would look like.

But from the start, Katie felt supported by a team that believed in her growth and encouraged her to “soar.” That encouragement, combined with receiving the WILS scholarship to attend the Soaring to New Heights Conference, became a turning point in her professional development.

As Katie shared, "Attending the event was initially overwhelming, but it quickly transformed into an inspiring and empowering experience". The sessions she selected were directly applicable to her role, equipping her with practical ideas she could immediately bring back to her programs and team

Beyond programming knowledge, Katie gained exposure to areas of the industry she hadn’t previously explored, broadening her perspective and strengthening her confidence as a leader.

Invest in Your Growth: Apply for a Scholarship

Scholarships through Women In Leisure Serivces - Chi Chapter are designed to help professionals access meaningful development opportunities like Soaring to New Heights and the upcoming LeadHERship Conference.

If you’ve been considering attending a conference but are hesitant about the cost, this is your sign to apply.

Next Scholarship Deadline: February 28

For more information about scholarship opportunities and how to apply, visit:

https://www.chiwils.com/page/3009305-scholarship

Let this be the year you invest in yourself.