10 UCF Students Selected for 2024 DoD SMART Scholarships

Receiving paid tuition, annual stipends, an internship and guaranteed employment after graduation sounds like a dream come true to any college student. But for several UCF students, that dream is about to become a reality.

Ten Knights were selected for the 2024 Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship, an educational and workforce opportunity available to undergraduate and graduate students pursuing STEM degrees. The program covers the cost of tuition and education related expenses, provides an annual stipend of at least $30,000 a year, provides a mentored internship experience during the summer and offers employment at a DoD facility upon degree completion. The goal of the program is to build a workforce of leaders in the STEM disciplines.

The recipients are:

• Brandon Allen
• Matthew Hadad
• Emily Kinkead
• Joseph Lee
• Thomas Nguyen
• Conner Parsay
• Jordyn Sitson
• Jeffery Smith
• Enilda Velazquez ’20
• Louis Vest

Meet the six scholarship recipients from the College of Engineering and Computer Science:

Brandon Allen

Master’s in electrical engineering student

As a gifted math and science student, Allen says he always wanted to be an engineer, something his mom encouraged during his childhood. He chose electrical engineering for its novelty compared to other more well-known disciplines.

“I chose electrical engineering because it deals with concepts that are so unknown to most people, almost as if it were a form of magic,” Allen says.

He was drawn to UCF for two reasons: his family in close proximity, and for its optics programs, which are ranked in the top 30 worldwide according to U.S. News & World Report.

“I chose UCF because of its optics program. In my line of work, I deal with infrared cameras and other electro-optical devices,” Allen says. “Also, I have family members in the area that will help make UCF feel like a home away from home.”

Allen adds that he applied to the SMART scholarship program for the financial opportunity to attend school full time.

“I plan on using my education to help foster innovation within the Air Force,” he says. “Also, I have hopes that an M.S. degree will help me obtain promotions and take on more of a leadership role.”

Matthew Hadad

Bachelor’s in electrical engineering student

Electrical engineering major Hadad knew he had a penchant for electrical engineering from his interest in circuit math from a high school course, AP Physics I. His pursuit of the field is also an homage to his mom, who had planned on studying electrical engineering herself.

“My mother was going to be an electrical engineering major, but she could not finish because she had given birth to me, and I was a bigger priority for her than her major,” Hadad says.

UCF wasn’t the school he dreamed of growing up, but a high school friend convinced him to become a Knight and he hasn’t looked back since. When he learned of the opportunity to pursue the SMART scholarship, its military ties were a natural fit for him. Hadad says he was always fascinated with naval history, particularly of navies during World War II.

“I am very grateful for the SMART Scholar program. After I receive my M.S. degree, I plan to work for the U.S. Department of Defense for as long as possible,” Hadad says. “It’s something I have wanted to do and could see myself doing in the future.”

Thomas Nguyen

Doctorate in biomedical engineering student

Nguyen is no stranger to prestigious internships. The biomedical engineering doctoral student previously completed the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP), sponsored by the Office of Naval Research. Fittingly, Nguyen completed his DoD SMART internship with the Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD). He says both his time at UCF and his experience with NREIP have prepared him for this opportunity.

“Notably, my involvement in projects like the T-45 Flight Simulator Development and the Dental Aerosol Reduction System (DARS) project during my NREIP internships has provided me with firsthand experience in applying engineering principles to defense-related simulations,” Nguyen says. “These experiences have prepared me to excel in a dynamic and challenging environment, where innovation and technical expertise are paramount.”

Nguyen will work under the mentorship of senior research and development engineer Rocco Portoghese, assisting with projects that leverage simulation technologies to enhance the effectiveness of military training. Through his work, Nguyen hopes to enhance his knowledge of simulation technologies, develop technical skills in electrical circuitry and 3D design, and emerge from the internship as a leader ready for a career with a defense organization.

“This opportunity represents a pivotal moment in my academic and professional journey, allowing me to contribute directly to defense technology while furthering my education,” Nguyen says. “I am eager to immerse myself in challenging projects and collaborate with experts in the field, ultimately making meaningful contributions to the defense industry.”

Jordyn Sitson

Bachelor’s in information technology student

After graduation, Jordyn Sitson plans to become a cyber analyst and researcher. Now in her senior year, she’s already lined up a job with the DoD.

“My favorite part of the cybersecurity field has always been finding the clues that lead up to a cyber-attack, and by pursuing a career as an analyst and researcher I’ll be able to search for these traces firsthand and stay up to date on any trends that may be related to the cause of potential cyberattacks,” Sitson says.

The computer science major heard about the SMART Scholarship through a speaker at the Women in Cybersecurity Club at UCF. “The scholarship is still relatively unknown and easy to apply for,” Sitson says. “I encourage anyone in STEM that is looking for a chance to get a head start working and gaining experience at a DoD facility to apply for this scholarship.”

This summer, Sitson gained experience as a cybersecurity intern at NAVFAC, the Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command in Jacksonville, Florida. There she worked with four cybersecurity teams, which helped her decide to work with the Operational Technology team for the following summers.

“Learning information and applying it are completely different so I hope that with this real-world experience I become a better cyber analyst that can help contribute to NAVFAC’s mission,” Sitson says.

Jeffery Smith

Master’s in civil engineering student

UCF’s reputation for engineering education, its proximity to prominent engineering organizations and its partnerships with industry giants like the DoD persuaded Smith to become a Knight. That decision paid off for Smith, who will conveniently complete his internship at his current workplace, the Jacksonville District Office of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Smith works under the mentorship of civil engineer Tony Ledford, learning how to apply the concepts he’s learned in the classroom to the real world.

“I look forward to benefiting from Tony Ledford’s experience as a mentor and learning about creative engineering techniques, efficient project management techniques and problem-solving techniques,” Smith says. “In addition, I’m excited to expand my professional networks and ties inside the DoD, which will be very helpful for my future job.”

Smith says the opportunity to work for the DoD, and to receive financial support for his graduate students, were just a few benefits that drew him to the SMART Scholar program.

“Getting chosen as a SMART Scholar is a thrilling and incredibly fulfilling experience,” Smith says. “Knowing that my efforts and commitment have been acknowledged in a fiercely competitive sector is a great source of pride and achievement.”

Louis Vest

Doctorate in aerospace engineering student

Before Louis Vest decided a doctoral degree, he debated following in his father and grandfather’s steps to join the military. With the SMART Scholarship program, he’s able to serve his country in a different way.

“My father instilled in me a very serious work ethic and a dedication to take advantage of opportunities that he did not have, in this case, being able to go to school,” Vest says. “I think the biggest driving force for [why I applied to] SMART was …  having the opportunity to serve my country as a civilian contractor with the DoD.”

Vest always knew he wanted to be an engineer, but his journey at UCF solidified his career would be in the aerospace industry. The doctoral student’s research focuses on fundamental fuel chemistry, and he is mentored by Professor Subith Vasu, who studies clean energy and hypersonic travel advancement.

“Upon connecting with [Dr. Vasu], he was the reason that I came out to UCF,” Vest says. “I had done a little bit of reading on research opportunities with Vasu that students were able to pave their way through, and it felt like a very natural fit. … The environment, and by extension the community, that UCF fosters, particularly in the sciences, is unparalleled.”

Next summer, he’ll intern at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Indian Head, Maryland, gaining hands-on experience and industry insights that would normally take years to achieve, he says.

“I hope to be a part of the next generation of researchers who find the most efficient fuels to be used in the aerospace and astronomical industries,” Vest says, “And I’m hoping to gain the opportunity to work alongside other engineers and partners to effectively help pave the way for the next frontier, which I believe is a space.”

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