Success Stories

Success Stories

Every year, SIM Central CT gives back to the community by

  • Providing Scholarships to future IT leaders
  • Holding Programs at local universities to prepare graduates for the IT world they are about to enter
  • Coaching and mentoring High School students interested in STEM careers

Thanks to the profits from our golf tournament SIM Central CT is able to continue providing support for the next generation of IT leaders. Scholarship recipients are awarded a $1000 for school supplies and $2000/year scholarships that are renewable as long as they are in good standing and majoring  in an IT-related  field.

We invite you to read more about our student success stories below.

Want to make a difference in the lives of our future IT leaders? Consider becoming a SIM Member today!

Historical Scholarship Recipients (since 2002)

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017
Katelyn Archambault Hunter Allis Lola Kovalski (HMTCA) Anta Fall Brian Bedon Serena Hernandez
Natalie Sherer Sonya Parsons (HMTCA) Xannia Simpson Aiden LeMay Tori Thornton Matthew Shelto
2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011
Nyasia Bagot Medhalit Chavez Elijah Butters Justin Liao Richard DeJesus Sean Priest
Jesus Medina Amanda Rodriguez Alex Martinez Nelson Reis David Stamper Mathew Stanko
2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005
Vincent Moore Christian Bedon To be added To be added Sharnice Cummings Finella Basdeo
Kiara Morales Destiany Hunter     Jessica Rivera Jessika Rodriguez
2004 2003 2002
Franklin Hewitt Tenisha Patterson Natacha Cruz
Reginald Jennings Sandra Rodriguez Cassandra Marshall


Reginald Jennings Jr., Scholarship Recipient

Click here to hear his story of college and career success.


David K. Stamper, Deputy Chief of Cyber Operations

Scholarship Recipient



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 Martinez, 2014 Graduate


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 Liao, 2013 Graduate

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 Stanko, 2011 Graduate


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. “

Scholarship History

Society for Information Management - Central Connecticut Chapter
Scholarship Recipients


2021
Hunter Allis
Sonya Parsons (HMTCA)

2020

Lola Kovalski (HMTCA)
Xannia Simpson

2019
Anta Fall
Aiden LeMay

2018

Brian Bedon
Tori Thornton

2017
Serena Hernandez
Matthew Shelto

2016
Nyasia Bagot
Jesus Medina

2015
Medhalit Chavez
Amanda Rodriguez

2014
Elijah Butters
Alex Martinez

2013
Justin Liao
Nelson Reis

2012
Richard DeJesus
David Stamper

2011
Sean Priest
Mathew Stanko

2010
Vincent Moore
Kiara Morales

2009
Christian Bedon
Destiany Hunter

2008
To be added

2007
To be added

2006
Sharnice Cummings
Jessica Rivera

2005
Finella Basdeo
Jessika Rodriguez

2004
Franklin Hewitt
Reginald Jennings

2003
Tenisha Patterson
Sandra Rodriguez

2002
Natacha Cruz
Cassandra Marshall