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: October 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2027
Contact: Natalie Tims (natalietims@clearchannel.com) or Jess Grissom (jess.g@trooh.com)

Kathy Saunders Media Scholarship

The Kathy Saunders Media Scholarship will award $5,000 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: October 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027

Contact: Natalie Tims (natalietims@clearchannel.com) or Jess Grissom (jess.g@trooh.com)

Student Media tour- Judy Miller Scholarship

The Judy Miller Student Media Tour Scholarship awards $2,000 to one student who participates in the 2027 Student Media Tour. To apply, students must register for and attend the tour and submit a brief essay describing their experience, explaining why they chose to participate, and how the scholarship will support their educational and career goals.

Submit Essays To: Natalie Tims (natalietims@clearchannel.com) or Jess Grissom (jess.g@trooh.com)
Formatting: Single-spaced, Times New Roman, 1-inch margins, 250-500 words

Application Window: TBD

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.