The Auto Care Association, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and the University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) have jointly awarded the Fueling the Future scholarship to Xen Reddell, an automotive student from Canyon High School in New Braunfels, Texas. The scholarship provides $2,500 to a student pursuing a career within the automotive aftermarket industry.
The scholarship was presented by Modern Industry eXpertise (MiX), a MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers council focused on empowering the next generation of aftermarket leaders, and the Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), a community for young industry professionals under 40 within the Auto Care Association. Both organizations partnered with UAF for this initiative.
Reddell was recognized for her passion, determination and leadership, qualities that exemplify the future of the aftermarket industry. She has already accumulated hands-on experience, working on a range of vehicles from classic cars to heavy equipment, while maintaining a clear vision for her future as both a technician and a mentor.
Her competitive achievements include participating in the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) Top Tech Challenge twice, securing first place in her second attempt. Reddell also took the initiative to train six fellow students, all of whom also achieved placements in the competition.
Reflecting on her journey, Reddell stated, “I consider myself blessed to have a career path I am passionate about with a clear path to success.” She added, “As a graduating senior, I aim to build a reputable name for myself as a technician, creating a career that will allow me to grow and succeed wherever I find myself in life.”
Elisse Richardson, district sales manager at DriV and MiX chair, commended Reddell’s impact. “Reddell’s story embodies the determination, resilience, and confidence that MiX strives to celebrate,” Richardson said. “As a young woman pursuing a career in vehicle service, she is not only breaking barriers but also inspiring others to see the opportunities that exist within our industry.”
Tanya Hunt, commercial project manager at TERREPOWER and YANG chair, highlighted Reddell’s leadership qualities. “Reddell has already demonstrated the qualities of a future industry leader through her commitment to learning, mentoring her peers, and giving back to the vehicle community,” Hunt stated. “Her passion for the trades and dedication to helping others succeed make her an outstanding representative of the next generation of aftermarket professionals.”
Scholarship Funding and Broader Initiatives
The funds for the Fueling the Future scholarship were generated through the National Coffee Day social campaign held last September. Industry supporters were encouraged to skip one cup of coffee and donate the equivalent cost to the UAF Coffee Club donor program, promoting broader participation.
This campaign successfully reached its goal of acquiring 50 new Coffee Club recurring donors, enabling the establishment of this dedicated named scholarship.
The Fueling the Future scholarship is part of a larger, centralized scholarship program designed for students pursuing careers in the automotive aftermarket and commercial vehicle industry. For the 2026-27 academic year, over $900,000 in scholarships will be awarded.
These scholarships are available to students enrolled in four-year and two-year colleges, as well as those in ASE/NATEF-certified automotive, collision and heavy-duty/diesel post-secondary programs. A single application allows students to be considered for hundreds of scholarship opportunities offered by more than 40 different organizations.
Further information about the Fueling the Future scholarship can be found at automotivescholarships.com/scholarships/fuel-the-future-scholarship.
Aftermarket Intel tracks the signals shaping the global automotive aftermarket — news, trends and executive-level insight. Visit https://aftermarketintel.com. To share news, data, or strategic perspectives, contact Editor Mark Phillips at mark@lpnewmedia.com or connect on LinkedIn here.
