Capitol Student Awarded Esteemed SMART Scholarship

 

Contact: Kyle Anderson Marketing & Communications Coordinator 301-369-2800, ext. 3015 kdanderson@capitol-college.edu

LAUREL, MD (July 20, 2011) – Capitol student Peter Starland has been awarded the prestigious Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) scholarship by the Department of Defense. Having earned his Master of Science in Information Assurance, Starland will now pursue a doctorate in information assurance at Capitol.

 

The SMART scholarship is awarded to students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in various STEM fields. For his work, Starland has been awarded the scholarship for “Information Sciences.” Several other Capitol students have received this award in the past, and as recently as 2009.

 

“Capitol College has been fortunate to have several students receive this prestigious scholarship over the past few years,” Dr. Vic Maconachy, vice president for academic affairs, said. “Receiving this highly competitive scholarship, which comes with a DoD sponsor, is a testimony to the hard work of the individual awardees, and the caliber of Capitol’s academic programs.”

 

As part of the scholarship agreement, Starland will work at the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific, located in San Diego, Calif. Because the scholarship will cover three academic years, Starland will be employed at the center for three years following the completion of his degree. Starland will also be fulfilling internship requirements while enrolled in the IA doctoral program.

 

“All of these awards come with internship and clearances which further enable Capitol College students to rise to the top of the workforce in their chosen fields,” Maconachy said.

 

By earning his doctorate in information assurance from Capitol, Starland will be trained for a leadership role in the IA field. The degree is completed mostly online and teaches students how to conduct research as a foundation for executive action, demonstrate innovation and creativity as it relates to the strategic performance of an agency or organization, make innovative and practical contributions to the IA body of knowledge, and apply a local, national, and global perspective to the decision-making process.

 

Capitol College is the only independent college in Maryland dedicated to education in engineering, computer science, information technology and business through practices of leadership and innovation. Founded in 1927, Capitol offers associate, bachelor’s and master's degrees, a Doctor of Science in Information Assurance, professional development training and certificates. Academic programs are grounded in centers of excellence; these include the Space Operations Institute, the Critical Infrastructures and Cyber Protection Center, the Innovation and Leadership Institute, and the Center for Space Science Education and Public Outreach. The college campus is located in Laurel, Maryland, a suburban setting midway between Baltimore and Washington, DC. www.capitol-college.edu.