SIM Central Connecticut Outreach

Krishmar is a High Honors student at Weaver High School in Hartford. His interest in IT and technology is related directly to it being a foundation for problem-solving, innovation, and creating tools that can improve everyday lives. He also sees technology as a pathway to entrepreneurship and states, “I want to understand how systems are designed so I can create my own tech company that solves real problems in communities like mine.” Krishmar will attend the University of Connecticut to major in Computer Science.

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Kiara is a high honors student at Pathways Academy of Technology and Design, a Hartford Magnet High School. Her interest in STEM is based in her environmental awareness and volunteering on Earth Days. She developed that interest further in the projects she completed for District STEM Fairs and through her engineering internship at a major defense contractor based in Connecticut. Kiara will attend the University of Connecticut and plans to major in Landscape Architecture.

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Good evening sir,

I am not sure if you remember me back in 2012, but I was a recipient for your scholarship way back when. I was a student from Pathways to Technology. I just thought you should know what I am doing as of now post graduation from University of Connecticut.

I studied electrical engineering, with a focus in signals and Quantum Electronics. During my four years I was enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program. Upon graduation I was commissioned to the rank of second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. My first assignment took me to San Antonio Texas where I was learning how to fly a plane. Unfortunately, I did not complete the program and self eliminated. I realized I wanted to do something differently in my time in the Air Force. So I requested a reclass, and am now a cyber warfare and operations officer. This past year has taken me to Dayton Ohio, where I am the branch chief of cyber operations. I supervise over 40 Personnel in the maintenance and modernization of a 240 million dollar Network infrastructure. My time in that role has come to an end, and they are now moving me to the space group where I will be a cyber analyst, as well as maintaining new software.

My future plans here in Dayton, are to attend the Air Force Institute of Technology and study for a master's in computer systems and software engineering. Provided my schedule is not overloaded, I will try to continue in electrical engineering, but unfortunately that is up to the Air Force for now. Perhaps at the end of my time in the military, I will go for a second Master's in electrical engineering with a possibility of a doctorate.

I want to close with a special thank you for everything that you and your partners have done for me during my undergraduate studies. Without your scholarship, I likely would not have graduated in four years, nor would I have likely became an Air Force officer. I hope my story will be motivational to Future recipients of the scholarship, if it is still offered. I wish you and your family a merry Christmas, happy holidays, and a wonderful New Year. If you would like any information about the Air Force or electrical engineering program at University of Connecticut, or would you like to catch up oh, I'd be happy to do so. Cheers!

Very respectfully,

David K. Stamper
Deputy chief, cyber operations
Wpafb, OH 45324

Alex graduated from Pathways Academy of Technology and Design in 2014 and attended the University of Connecticut where he majored in Management Information Systems and minored in Data Analytics.

Alex is an integral part of the IT Leadership Development Program at Travelers. The ITLDP is a 4-year rotational program designed to build leadership skills and a broad palette of IT-related knowledge. He is in his first rotation as a member of the Enterprise Capabilities Office and is responsible for supporting IT strategies through the deployment of Agile practices, providing process and tool governance, and creating common practices to optimize IT delivery for the enterprise.

Alex reports that the scholarship from our SIM Chapter was important for him being able to continue college. “The SIM scholarship made a difference to me during my college career by providing me with the means to jump-start my 4-year college journey. Using your gracious award, I was able to purchase myself a brand new state-of-the-art laptop that I carried with me for my entire college career - a luxury among students that I would otherwise not have had the means to obtain. The SIM Scholarship Award also provided me with the financial assistance I needed to ease the pressure of rising tuition costs, so that I could channel my focus and efforts on doing the best I could in the classroom.”

Justin graduated from Pathways Academy of Technology and Design in 2013 and attended Rochester Institute of Technology where he majored in Biomedical Engineering and minored in Mathematics.

Justin is employed by Precision Imaging Analysis, a service provider of cloud-based, advanced medical image post processing and analysis where he is an Image Processing Software Development Engineer.   

Justin reports that the scholarship from our SIM Chapter was important for him being able to enter college with a new laptop computer that he used throughout his time at RIT. “The SIM scholarship really helped because the initial $1,000 helped me with purchasing a laptop for school, and renting books. Later on, the annual renewal of the scholarship really helped with the tuition so I would have money to rent books for the semester and afford housing.”

Matt graduated from Pathways Academy of Technology and Design in 2011 and attended the University of Hartford where he majored in Computer Science with a specialization in Cybersecurity. He had two minors: Mathematics and Multimedia, Web Design & Development.

Matt works for the State of Connecticut where he is responsible for the Information Security Program at the Legislative Branch. He manages Network, Endpoint, and User Security for the entire Legislative Branch and is the key point of contact for the Legislative Branch for any security incidents and lead security project manager. Matt is the only Computer Forensic Investigator at the Legislative Branch and one of only a few working for the State in an Incident Response capacity. He runs the Security Awareness program and is the co-chair the IT Security Officer's Roundtable (ITSOR) for the State of Connecticut.

Matt reports that the scholarship from our SIM Chapter made a significant difference in him being able to attend and continue college. “I am a first-generation immigrant and the first college graduate in my family. When my mom came to the United States some 18 years ago, she didn't realize how difficult it would be to raise four boys as a single mom. We really struggled financially, even having been homeless at one point forcing us to live out of a car. Going into college I wasn't sure how I would afford the expensive tuition and school materials. My first year, I was on the verge of dropping out because I couldn't afford tuition. Without much financial support from family, I heavily relied on scholarships to help me pay my way through school. The SIM scholarship was a huge help in covering college expenses. Without support from the SIM scholarship, I may have been forced to quit school and enter the workforce early in hopes of earning enough money to return to school. I am very grateful that I was a SIM scholarship recipient - it made the difference between dropping out and staying in school.“