NACC STUDENT RECEIVES IMPRESSIVE CYBERSECURITY SCHOLARSHIP TO UAH

November 27, 2017

Northeast Alabama Community College student Chase Golden has been awarded a scholarship to the University of Alabama in Huntsville.  He received the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service (SFS), which is a unique program, designed to increase and strengthen the cadre of federal information assurance professionals that protect the government's critical information infrastructure. This program provides scholarships that may fully fund the typical costs incurred by full-time students while attending a participating institution, including tuition and education and related fees. Additionally, participants receive stipends of $22,500 for undergraduate students and $34,000 for graduate students. The scholarships are funded through grants awarded by the National Science Foundation.

The scholarship also provides for reimbursement of university health insurance up to $3,000 a year, reimbursement of books up to $2,000 a year, and pay for precessional development/travel up to $4,000 a year.

All scholarship recipients must work after graduation for a federal, state, local, or tribal government organization in a position related to cybersecurity for a period equal to the length of the scholarship. In addition, students are expected to serve in a government cybersecurity related position paid internship during the summer semester. Participation in a government "job fair" in early January in Washington, DC is required of all students supported by the scholarship.

Golden stated, “I have been awarded for the maximum of three years with an expected graduation date of May 2019.” For more information about the scholarship, go to www.uah.edu/ccre.

"We are very proud of Mr. Golden for receiving this scholarship. He is an outstanding student," stated Dr. David Campbell, NACC President. "We also are proud at the institutional level of establishing this partnership with UAH.  We plan to work with UAH on other projects, particularly in the cybersecurity and engineering fields."

Golden stated, “I would like to say that NACC does a wonderful job of cultivating the kind of atmosphere that is essential for producing successful students. Specifically, I would like to thank Mrs. Sherry Whitten (Director of the College and Career Placement Center) for introducing me to opportunities in cybersecurity through NACC, and for her unwavering sense of duty in so selflessly ensuring that every student finds a program of study that suits them. Mrs. Whitten is the reason I am at NACC!”  He also acknowledged Dr. Joe Burke, Vice President/Dean of Instruction at NACC and Dr. Thomas Morris of UAH, Director of the Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education and Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. Additionally, he acknowledged Dr. Gary A. Maddux, Director of the Systems Management and Production Center and Jesse Hairston of the UAH Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education. Hairston is a Research Scientist and also a graduate of NACC.

“I along with the rest of the NACC family are so proud of Chase,” said Whitten.  “I look forward to seeing all of the great things that he will accomplish in the cybersecurity field. He will soon join the ranks of other NACC successful alumni.”

Golden will graduate with an Associates of Business in the spring of 2018 and transfer to UAH to complete his bachelor’s degree. “I look forward to continuing to participate in the UAH SMAP Center's Education Outreach program, which introduces STEM concepts to K-high school students around Alabama. I plan to intern for the UAH CCRE DEPT's US Cyber Camp this summer.”

Golden is a United States Navy veteran. He served four years and was assigned to a nuclear-powered, fast attack submarine called The USS Hampton SSN(767). During that time, he completed two Western Pacific deployments and two under-ice exercises to include surfacing at the North Pole.

Golden grew up in Woodville, AL and graduated from Woodville High School. His father is a small business owner, and his stepmother is a computer security systems analyst for the Northrop Grumman Corporation. His brother is also a navy veteran and is currently attending NACC.  “I'd like to thank my father for always pushing me to succeed, as well as my stepmother for being a positive influence in my life and helping to peak my interest in cyber related opportunities in the Huntsville, AL area.” 

For more information about NACC and its services, go to www.nacc.edu or download the free App at the App Store or Google Play Store.

Early registration for the spring semester is going on now by appointment. Regular registration is January 5 and classes begin on January 8.