Women in the Floorcovering Industry (WIFI) has named the recipients of its second round of biannual scholarships, highlighting six women poised to elevate their careers through education and industry-accredited certifications.
Additionally, WIFI is offering bonus Year-End Mini Scholarships, granting up to $1,000 per person for courses taken from January to December 2025. Deadline to apply is Oct. 30; recipients will be notified by Dec. 16.
The Fall 2024 WIFI Scholarship Recipients
Nikole Adame – Operations Manager, Roberts Carpet & Fine Floors, Texas
Adame will enhance her expertise through the Carpet & Hard Surface Certified Inspector program at Certified Flooring Inspectors University. She stated, “By investing in my education and expertise, I am investing in my future and the future of the entire flooring industry.”
Alexandra Roberts, CEO of Roberts Carpet & Fine Floors, added, “We are fortunate to have Nikole as part of our team. Her potential is limitless and there is no more deserving candidate for this scholarship.”
Jamerica Carter – Pricing Support Representative, Shaw Industries
Currently pursuing a master’s in data science and analytics at Kennesaw State University, Carter aims to drive innovation at Shaw Industries. “With furthering my education, I hope to adopt a managerial role. I am aiming to be a part of assessing data trends that drive new innovations in Shaw Industries’ growth for years to come,” she shared.
Holly Caldwell, senior pricing solutions manager at Shaw, noted, “[Jamerica] is an independent thinker, highly motivated and self-driven.”
Kealani Daniel – Product Specialist, Shaw Industries
Daniel is working toward a bachelor’s in business administration at Shorter University. She expressed, “I want to be able to bring creativity and innovative ideas to the business. By furthering my education, this will give me the opportunity to gain educational knowledge needed to better prepare myself for future leadership positions.”
Drew Morelli, technical manager at Shaw, emphasized, “One of Kealani’s greatest strengths is she is a compassionate team player who is always willing to help others.”
Madeline Graves – Flooring Apprentice, Strahm Building Solutions, Indiana
Graves is pursuing a degree in architecture from Cincinnati University. She shared, “Architecture has everything I’m looking for in a career. It is practical and requires math skills, but it also is artistic and creative.”
Facilitator Jaren Harmon commented, “Madeline has great ideas, and she commits to doing what she says she will with excellence.”
Nora Kelly – Sales Coordinator, Consolidated Flooring, Chicago
Kelly will attend LEED Green Associate, LEED AP+BC, and Foundations of Project Management courses at the University of Illinois, Chicago. She stated, “Gaining these credentials would make me a valuable resource at my company.”
Michelle Heron-Means, director of national engagement and leadership at Consolidated Flooring, noted, “Nora’s enthusiasm for learning and achieving is one of her most remarkable qualities.”
Beth Miller – Managing Editor, Floor Trends & Installation
Miller will attend the SEAL Leadership Academy Program. She shared, “The education afforded by the WIFI scholarship would further my flooring industry journey by providing me with much-needed guidance.”
Tanja Kern, associate publisher at the magazine, added, “Beth consistently demonstrates a natural ability to lead and inspire others.”
To learn more about WIFI’s scholarship program, visit womeninflooring.org.
