Amelia Gianella from Portland, OR, has been awarded the ASE Chairman’s scholarship for the 2025-26 school year. Gianella is a diesel/heavy duty repair student at Portland Community College.
“Of all the students who applied for the ASE Chairman’s scholarship, Amelia really distinguished herself with her academic accomplishments and extracurricular achievements,” said Jason Rainey, chairman of the ASE board of directors. “We want to congratulate Amelia on this prestigious recognition and thank all the great students who applied for the scholarship. We also want to thank the University of the Aftermarket Foundation for all their help in facilitating this scholarship.”
The ASE Chairman’s Scholarship recognizes the strong technical skills and foundational knowledge required to support the industry as an entry-level technician. The ASE Chairman is a voluntary leadership position, and the scholarship recognizes and honors the dedication of the ASE Chairman to the advancement of all service professionals. The ASE Board of Directors is proud to recognize the recipient of this scholarship.
Gianella’s home program at Portland Community College illustrates how regional schools are trying to fill the gap. PCC’s Diesel Service Technology track operates a 17,000-square-foot shop with state-of-the-art diagnostic tooling and all instructors certified as ASE Master Truck Technicians. Local demand is robust: the Oregon Employment Department forecasts 14.1% growth in Portland-area diesel employment through 2027.
Wage potential is another draw. Portland-area diesel techs earn $57,269 on average, with top earners exceeding $78,000, according to PCC’s labor-market summary. As shops compete for talent, scholarship aid can tip the scales for students weighing educational debt against immediate employment.
