San Jac students recognized by International Transportation Management Association
Three San Jacinto College students – Eraklia Cortes, Ana Morales, and Elizabeth Tigner – received a combined $17,500 in scholarships from the International Transportation Management Association in June.
The scholarships support students pursuing international transportation logistics-related fields and aim to support the next generation of transportation and logistics professionals in the Houston area.
“The success of these students demonstrates the exceptional talent within San Jac’s logistics and supply chain management program,” said Margaret Kidd, logistics and supply chain management department chair. “We are grateful to ITMA for supporting our students and helping them achieve their educational and career goals. These scholarships recognize not only academic achievement but also the commitment and perseverance needed to become future leaders in the transportation and logistics industry.”
To qualify, students must be enrolled in a logistics-related major, maintain a minimum GPA of 2.7, and complete at least 12 semester hours within the past year.
Tigner, a nontraditional student balancing work, school, family, and business responsibilities, is currently pursuing her associate degree in logistics and supply chain management and plans to graduate in December 2026, with her sights already set on a bachelor’s degree. She brings years of procurement experience across multiple industries to her studies and said the program has deepened her understanding of the full supply chain process.
“Receiving the ITMA scholarship is truly an honor and very encouraging,” Tigner said. “It’s meaningful to have my hard work, professional experience, and educational goals recognized by industry leaders.”
Another recipient, Morales, also received an ITMA scholarship in 2025. She earned her associate degree in logistics and supply chain management last year and is expected to complete her Bachelor of Applied Technology in logistics and supply chain management from San Jac in fall 2026.
I am extremely grateful for the support ITMA provides to students pursuing their educational and career goals. Their commitment to helping students succeed is greatly valued.
Morales said her interest in logistics developed from wanting to better understand how products move through the supply chain.
“As consumers, we typically only see products on store shelves, purchase them, and take them home,” Morales said. “I wanted to better understand the operations that make those products available to us.”
Her path to success at San Jac has been marked by taking chances. After making a professional connection in professor Ivy Jenkins’ Principles of Imports class at the North Campus, Morales landed a logistics coordinator position at Port Houston in 2024.
She beat out more than 60 applicants for the role.
“I was nervous to apply. I didn’t think I had enough experience, but I gave it a shot anyway,” Morales said. “Professor Jenkins encouraged me to go for it, and I’m so glad it worked out.”
That encouragement has remained a constant throughout Morales’ time in the program.
“My experience with the program has been very positive,” Morales said. “I have learned a great deal through my coursework, and the instructors have been highly supportive. Professor Jenkins been an especially outstanding mentor. He genuinely cares about his students’ success.”
Learn more about the logistics and supply chain management at San Jac
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today,
and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris
County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than
1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving
the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution
that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately
45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and
certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer
to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding
bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
