AWM-DFW – Scholarship Program

The Dallas Area Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, Inc., awards four annual scholarships totaling $17,000 in honor of media leaders Irene Runnels, Paula McStay, Kathy Saunders, and Judy Miller. Irene Runnels was a distinguished and respected Dallas broadcaster. Paula McStay was a former Fort Worth advertising executive. Kathy Saunders was one of broadcast television’s most influential and respected executives. Judy Miller was an outstanding and treasured advertising executive who served in the DFW Metroplex. Recipients are recognized at the 2026 Awards of Excellence Gala. Scholarships are paid directly to the university’s Financial Aid Office and must be applied to undergraduate or graduate tuition.

Irene Runnels – Paula McStay Scholarships

The Irene Runnels-Paula McStay $5,000 college scholarships are awarded to two students attending a Texas public or private university that offers radio, television, film, public relations, digital marketing, marketing/advertising/ communications, or broadcasting as the major emphasis of study. Applicants are considered based on educational and career goals in their major field of study, activities and honors, service to the community, and references.

Application Window: Sept. 1, 2025 – Feb. 28, 2026
Contact: Meilyn Acevedo (macevedo@truth.agency) & Kristin Diaz (kristin.diaz@audacy.com)

Kathy Saunders Media Scholarship

The Kathy Saunders Media Scholarship will be awarded to a student attending a Texas public or private university who are enrolled in a major related to broadcast media. Applicants will be considered based on their educational and career goals within their major field of study, activities and honors, community service, and references.

Application Window: March 5, 2026 – March 28, 2026

Contact: Meilyn Acevedo (macevedo@truth.agency)

Student Media tour- Judy Miller Scholarship

The Student Media Tour- Judy Miller Scholarship is awarded to one student who registers and participates in the 2026 Student Media Tour and provides a brief essay. The essay will be a recap of why you participated in the Student Media Tour and how the scholarship will benefit you.

Submit Essays To: Meilyn Acevedo (macevedo@truth.agency)
Formatting: Single-spaced, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, 250-500 words

Application Window: March 6th-9th, 2026

Media Con $500 Scholarship

$500 scholarship is open to any student who attends and participates in our annual Media Con event. Simply share a photo or video of your experience and list your favorite thing about MediaCon in the caption, along with #AWMMediaCon and #AWMDFW. The student with the most “likes” by the end of the day wins! Cut-off time will be 11:59 pm CST on the date of Media Con. Your post must include all necessary components to win. All posts are tracked using the #AWMMediaCon hashtag. The winner will be posted by AWM DFW & the scholarship will be sent directly to the winner’s school.

Program History

In 1960, the Alliance for Women in Media became the first professional broadcasting organization to establish an educational foundation. Our mission is to utilize the media to create positive change. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation supports educational programs, charitable activities, public service campaigns, and scholarships to benefit the public, the media, and allied fields.

The Dallas Area Alliance for Women in Media Foundation, Inc., awards two scholarships totaling $10,000 in the names of Irene Runnels, a distinguished and respected Dallas broadcaster, and Paula McStay, a former Fort Worth advertising executive. These scholarships will be administered through the University Financial Aid Office and must be applied toward undergraduate or graduate tuition only.

The Irene Runnels-Paula McStay scholarship is awarded to 2 college students attending a Texas public or private university that offers radio, television, film, public relations, advertising/communications, or broadcasting as the major emphasis of study.

Applicants are considered on the basis of educational and career goals in their major field of study, activities and honors, service to the community, and references. The scholarships are acknowledged at the Dallas Area Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Award of Excellence Gala each year.