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
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.”
Emily Kinkead
Bachelor’s in photonics science and engineering student
As a transfer student, Kinkead has yet to step foot on the UCF campus, but she’s already made quite the impact. The photonics science and engineering major spent the summer at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center at the Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey, where she’s already participated in several STEM outreach programs. She says she’s excited for the opportunity to intern there and looks forward to learning as much as she can from the experience.
“There is so much to learn and experience,” Kinkead says. “Having the ability to do so with the support of SMART means that I will be pushed and challenged as I pursue my degree, which I hope one day will make me an invaluable member of the DoD family.”
Joseph Lee
Doctorate in chemistry student
After serving on the front line for the U.S. Army, Lee aims to make a difference in military labs to advance nuclear security research. As a chemist, his doctoral research, which is conducted under the guidance of Assistant Professor Vasileios Anagnostopoulos, focuses on understanding the interactions of radioactive elements, such as actinides, with molecules found in nature. Applications for this work can range from radioactive waste management — including response to events such as Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011 — to efficient use of nuclear fuel and even recycling.
“I aspire to join the Airforce Technical Application Center (AFTAC) located on Patrick Space Force Base upon my graduation,” Lee says. “There I will have the opportunity to contribute to the nation’s mission related to nuclear security and global monitoring of nuclear activities under the DoD.”
With the SMART Scholarship, Lee is on the right path to his dream career as he’ll be interning at AFTAC each summer until he graduates.
“The DoD is offering opportunities for the next generation of subject matter experts in the field of nuclear science and technology,” Lee says. “Along with this, UCF is providing me the fundamental academic resources and training as a graduate student. These opportunities will provide me with a unique skillset in the future of scientific progression.”
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.”
Enilda Velazquez ’20
Doctorate in human factors and cognitive psychology student, bachelor’s in psychology alum with minors in cognitive sciences, and international and national security
Inspired by her parents’ work in civilian defense through the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, Velazquez aims to be a scientist contributing to U.S. national security. At UCF, Velazquez has engaged in several research experiences, including previous efforts with the Transportation Research Group Lab and current work with the Minds in Technology, Machines in Thought (MIT2) Lab.
“My research is on visual performance, but specifically multi-target search, [which is] how we look at multiple things of interest in a scene that has other things that are not of interest,” she says. “The biggest impact of my work is safety.”
While Velazquez says she’s had some valuable research experiences at UCF, she’s looking forward to taking her work to the next level with optics work at the C5ISR Center, which is one of eight science and technology domains within the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command, known as DEVCOM. She also says she’s looking forward to serving as an apprentice to a mentor working in the field. “I’m very excited just be on hands-on projects and kind of learn by doing. I love learning by doing. I feel like that’s most of my career has been learning by doing,” Velazquez says. “And so just to be on projects where I can see this kind of research be applied real time, I feel like that’s honestly the most invaluable part of this entire thing. student
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.”
