MACON, Ga. — Mercer University civil engineering student Gracy Padgett, EGR ’27, has been awarded a Georgia ITE (GAITE) Transportation Engineering Scholarship in recognition of her academic achievement, leadership and commitment to pursuing a career in transportation engineering in Georgia.
The scholarship supports Georgia students pursuing careers in transportation engineering and recognizes academic excellence, professional experience, leadership and involvement in the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE).
“Receiving the GAITE Scholarship will reduce the amount of student loan debt I graduate with, making my transition into the workforce easier,” said Padgett. “I am greatly appreciative of the GAITE chapter for supporting my education and believing in me as a transportation engineer.”
Eazaz Sadeghvaziri, Ph.D., assistant professor of environmental and civil engineering, recommended Padgett for the scholarship and has mentored her through her transportation coursework, research and professional development.
“Gracy stood out in my Transportation Engineering and Planning course, not only because of her strong academic performance, but also because of her genuine interest in the field,” said Sadeghvaziri. “Since then, I have been pleased to continue supporting her development as she prepares for traffic engineering, gains hands-on experience through her internship at EXP U.S. Services and works toward a transportation engineering career in Georgia.
“Currently, Gracy is conducting research on intersection safety in Macon. She studies intersections with a high number of crashes, looking at crash patterns and potential improvements to safety and level of service.”
Previously, Padgett conducted a national study comparing nighttime and daytime fatal crashes in work zones using Fatality Analysis Reporting System data from 2017 through 2023. Her analysis highlighted the roles of limited visibility, rainy weather and non-collision crashes in nighttime work-zone fatalities, reinforcing the need for targeted lighting and safety improvements.
“Gracy brings together academic strength, practical experience, intellectual curiosity and a sincere commitment to safer transportation,” Sadeghvaziri added. “She embodies the qualities this award seeks to recognize, and I am confident she will make significant contributions to transportation engineering in Georgia.”
From Rome, Padgett is a member of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, the Mercer Engineering Honors Program and ITE. She is a Go Baby Go volunteer and a transportation engineering intern at EXP U.S. Services. Additionally, Padgett assisted in conducting research in renewable energy optimization.
After graduating, Padgett plans to pursue a career in transportation engineering and design in Georgia, and to advance into project management. She also hopes to mentor young engineers in the field of transportation.
Since 1986, GAITE has awarded more than $300,000 to Georgia students through the GAITE Transportation Engineering Scholarship. Over $150,000 has been awarded since 2019.
Feature photo: Gracy Padgett and Eazaz Sadeghvaziri, Ph.D., during BEAR Day 2026 on the Macon campus.
