Meet APTF Scholarship Recipient Tolu Oke!

Tolu Oke is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Civil Engineering with a focus in Transportation from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Her research includes improving pedestrian safety near transit stops by investigating the factors that cause crashes through the lens of safety perceptions and behavior. She is the recipient of the Small Operations Scholarship from the American Public Transportation Foundation (APTF).

What Does This Scholarship Mean to You?

“I am honored to have been selected as one of the 2025 APTA Foundation Scholarship recipients. This scholarship represents more than financial support; it’s an investment in my commitment to advancing my career in public transportation. APTA’s mission to promote public transportation and advocate to connect and build thriving communities aligns perfectly with my goals as a transportation professional and researcher.”

How Has APTF Helped You in Your Career?

“The APTF Mentor Program connects me with a network of dedicated professionals who are also passionate about creating safer, more accessible, and sustainable transportation systems. I’m excited to join the APTA community and collaborate with seasoned practitioners on solutions that can truly transform how our communities move.”

Oke earned bachelor’s degrees in physics and mechanical engineering from Mount Holyoke College in 2009 and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, in 2010, and completed a master’s degree in civil engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2015.

Professionally, Oke worked as a transportation consultant at Steer in Boston for a decade, developing analytical tools to evaluate the feasibility of rail, bus, highway, and airport projects. In 2019, she transitioned to the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority, where she managed quantitative and qualitative planning studies and secured more than $70 million in federal and state funding for transit research and projects. Building on this background, she decided to pursue a doctoral degree to acquire advanced academic and research skills necessary to tackle complex global transportation issues. Through her independent consulting firm, Odara Mobility LLC, she supports public- and private-sector clients on transportation projects.

The mission of APTF is to increase and retain the number of individuals choosing the transit field as a career by providing scholarships and engagement opportunities to deserving students and transit professionals. Learn more, including how to contribute.