UAH Cyber Corps scholar is boosting cybersecurity

Stephen Cantley of Huntsville sees the benefit of the scholarship.

Michael Mercier | UAH

A member of UAH's inaugural Cyber Corps scholarship class, master of science in cybersecurity student Stephen Cantley of Huntsville says he has personally benefited from the scholarship.

"Through the program and cooperation with UAH's Systems Management and Production Center, I am currently interning with the U.S. Army. I have been shadowing ACA (Agent of the Certification Authority) teams, Blue Assessment Support Teams, as well as computer network defense analysts. The Cyber Corps program has gotten me farther in my field than I could have dreamed to do on my own. The scholarship and stipend allow me to focus on school, certifications and research. The contacts I have made here at UAH have been invaluable for my professional career. For instance, the Cyber Corps job fair has allowed me to network with other students, as well as just about every federal agency that deals with cyber, such as the NSA, CIA, Secret Service, FBI, etc."

Funded by the National Science Foundation's Scholarship for Service program, the scholarships pay student tuition and offer health insurance and book reimbursements, paid professional development travel and a stipend. They are awarded for two academic years for undergraduates and master's degree students and for three years for doctoral students. Following graduation, a U.S. government service obligation of one year of service in a cybersecurity related position for each year of scholarship received is required.

In addition, students are expected to serve in a government cybersecurity related position for a paid internship during the summer semester. Participation in a government job fair in Washington D.C. is required.

The Cyber Corps scholarship and the work that UAH Vice President for Research and Economic Development Dr. Ray Vaughn is doing are going a long way in building UAH's cybersecurity program, Cantley says. "At the current pace," he says, "UAH is a major contender in the young field of cybersecurity education."