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Home ― News ― DSU announces 2018-2019 CyberCorps Scholars

DSU announces 2018-2019 CyberCorps Scholars

July 11, 2018

Fourteen Dakota State University students have been named CyberCorps scholars for 2018-2019.

The program, funded by the National Science Foundation, is intended to increase and strengthen the cadre of federal information assurance professionals that protect the government’s critical information infrastructure.

There are 72 schools across the nation which have CyberCorps programs, but Dakota State University’s is the largest in terms of supported scholars, said Dr. Josh Pauli, vice president of research and economic development at DSU and CyberCorps program director. Eighty-seven scholars have been funded since the program began at DSU in 2010, with 34 concurrent scholars. Total funding for student support from the five-year NSF grant is $5.7 million and is renewable in 2019.

“The quality of the DSU CyberCorps increases every year,” Pauli said, “and the 2018 cohort is no different. The selection process gets more difficult each year; it’s a testament to the overall student body at DSU. We had over 50 applicants this year, so the selected scholars really earned it.” The 14 who were selected are high performers in the classroom as well as being active outside class to support faculty and fellow students.

The members of the 2018-2019 cohort are listed below, with their hometown and major.

  • Alicia Hanson, Delmont, S.D., cyber operations
  • Lauren Torkelson, Sioux Falls, S.D., cyber operations
  • Christian Weelborg, Sioux Falls, S.D., cyber operations, and network and security administration
  • Danica Hahn, Hartford, S.D., cyber operations
  • Michael Cutshaw, Clear Lake, S.D., cyber operations
  • Jarod Keene, Rapid City, S.D., cyber operations
  • Micah Flack, Bemidji, Minn., cyber operations
  • River Collins, Wentzville, Missouri, cyber operations
  • Alex Derr, Sioux Falls, S.D., computer science, and mathematics
  • Ryan Styles, Vermillion, S.D., cyber operations
  • Alex Davidyuk, Sioux Falls S.D., computer science
  • Griffin Egner, Austin, Minn., cyber operations
  • Collin Rumpca, Aberdeen, S.D., computer science
  • Brian Vertullo, Orange, Calif., cyber operations

All tuition and fees are covered for students in the program. They also receive a stipend of $22,500 for undergraduate students, and $34,000 for graduate students, as well as professional development funding, and funds for books and supplies. Students complete paid summer internships at government agencies such as the S.D. Bureau of Information and Telecommunications in Pierre, S.D., or the National Security Agency or John Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Lab in Baltimore, Maryland. Students are also guaranteed a job in the security field following graduation, either in federal, state, local or tribal government. The student’s scholarship may be renewed for up to three years.

“The DSU CyberCorps Scholars are some of our best students on campus in the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences. The entire student body has answered the call as our faculty members keep increasing the rigor of our academic programs.” Pauli stated.

More information on the CyberCorps program is available at sfs.opm.gov/.