Department of Defense scholarships, internships awarded

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Five UNH students were recently awarded Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) scholarships through the Department of Defense (DoD).

SMART scholarships are awarded to undergraduate or graduate students in STEM-related fields and include full tuition and related fees, a $25,000 to $38,000 annual stipend, summer research opportunities and employment placement within the DoD after graduation.

Accepting offers this year are DanaRose Brown '19, Alison Swanson '19, Hunter Anderson ‘19, Shannon Flynn ‘18 and Christina Eddleman ‘19. All five students have already secured placements with host facilities and will visit them in the coming months prior to their internships.

“I am excited to start my journey with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,” says Eddleman, who credited Jeanne Sokolowski, director of the UNH Office of National Fellowships, for helping her secure the opportunity. “It’s important for other students to know that there are fellowships, grant and other opportunities to help us achieve our career goals.”

Sokolowski says the multiple SMART scholarships secured by UNH students on an annual basis — 16 offered since 2012 — is a testament to the strength of a UNH education.

“Our students are appealing to DoD facilities because they receive excellent training in their STEM disciplines,” says Sokolowski. “Our students have access to undergraduate research and internship opportunities and have been encouraged to develop their teamwork and communication skills.”

Hunter Anderson ‘19

Hunter Anderson '19

Hunter Anderson ‘19


Anderson is a computer science major from Gilford, New Hampshire. He will begin his internship at the Life Cycle Management at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, in the summer of 2019. He chose a site away from New England in order to spend time in a different part of the country.

The rising junior sought a SMART scholarship to gain valuable experience. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in computer science or a related field after completing his service requirement.

“Working on cutting-edge technology that can only be found in the DoD is the perfect opportunity to further my career,” he says.

Anderson is in the honors program and a member of the UNH chapter of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He will serve as a resident advisor beginning this fall. He has also participated in the Hamel Center for Undergraduate Research’s Research Experience and Apprenticeship Program, worked at the Programming Assistance Center and helped tutor students in computer science. 

Christina Eddleman ‘19

Christine Eddleman '19
Christina Eddleman ‘19

Eddleman ‘19 is an environmental engineering major from Lake Zurich, Illinois. She will begin her internship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Chicago District in the summer of 2018. She chose the site in part because she grew up in the suburbs of Chicago and wanted to return to the area.

Eddleman chose to apply for the scholarship because of an interest in the Army Corps of Engineers that she discovered a couple of years ago.

“I have always loved the idea of working in the public sector and serving the community,” says Eddleman. “I hope to apply my knowledge from courses that I have already taken, but I am even more excited to work with my facility and learn from them.”

Eddleman says the experience will likely help shape her career goals, which could include pursuing a career with the Army Corps of Engineers or exploring opportunities in the Peace Corps.

At UNH, Eddleman is the outreach chair of the Environmental & Water Resources Institute and a member of the New Hampshire Outing Club. She also received the Joseph L. Fearer Scholarship through the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Shannon Flynn ‘18

Shannon Flynn ‘18
Shannon Flynn ‘18

Flynn ‘18 is a double major in mathematics and psychology from Westford, Massachusetts.  She will begin her placement at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, Rhode Island, in the summer of 2018.

Flynn sought a SMART scholarship for the valuable experience and to help pay for college. In an unrelated opportunity this summer, Flynn will be participating in the Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP) at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D.C., working in the Human Systems and Integration Lab, completing similar work to that being done at her placement next summer.

“This is going to be a great opportunity to get a taste of what it will be like working full-time in Newport through the SMART scholarship,” says Flynn. “I hope to gain valuable experience in my field from highly trained professionals at the DoD that I wouldn't be able to gain anywhere else.”

Flynn plans to pursue a graduate degree while also securing a long-term position with the DoD.

At UNH, Flynn works in the Mathematics Center and tutors UNH students. She is a member of Epsilon mathematics honor society Pi Mu and Golden Key International Honor Society.

Alison Swanson '19


Alison Swanson
Alison Swanson '18

 

 


Swanson is a physics major from Rye, New Hampshire. Her placement will be in the acoustics department at the Naval Oceanographic Office in Mississippi.

She chose to pursue a SMART Scholarship because of the opportunity for a full-time job at her facility upon graduation.

“That matches perfectly with my interest in a physics and research career,” says Swanson, a surfer who loves time spent in the ocean. “The promise of at least two months a year traveling the world on a fleet of research ships was a huge bonus.”

At UNH, Swanson is part of the honors program and a member of the Society of Physics Students. She was also recently awarded two college scholarships, including the Theresa Taylor Cole and Lynne Taylor Bemis scholarship. 

Want to find out how to apply for fellowships and scholarships? Contact Jeanne Sokolowski at Jeanne.sokolowski@unh.edu or 603-862-0733.

  • Written By:

    Brooks Payette | College of Engineering and Physical Sciences