Patrick J. Kelly (2008 Master of Public Policy)
Anonymous (2007 Bachelor in Information Systems [Marymount University])
Jonathan Poling (2007 Master of Computer Science)
Kim Lawson-Jenkins (2006 Professional Degree in Computer Science)
Kunal Johar (2006 Master of Computer Science)
Quynh Dang (2005 Master of Computer Science)
Ari Elias-Bachrach (2004 Master of Computer Science)
Joseph Mathews (2004 Master of Computer Engineering)

Patrick J. Kelly (2008 Master of Public Policy)

"The Scholarship for Service (SFS) program at George Washington University gave me the education and experience I needed to make a difference in the computer security and information assurance field.  The ample lab time taught me how to apply what I had learned in the classroom and the experienced faculty provided me with invaluable feedback, allowing me to hone my skills.  The GW SFS program is uniquely situated in our nation's capital and SFS faculty went above and beyond in ensuring that our curriculum was supplemented by opportunities to interact with leaders in the field.  The networking opportunities provided were not only essential in securing a dream job post-graduation, but helped me to build working relationships that I have carried into my government service.

The SFS program and its graduates have gained an impressive reputation with employers. As an SFS graduate, a plethora of doors have been opened to me. I received a number of offers after graduation, including an offer from my first choice agency, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, where I had previously interned during the SFS program. Due to my status as an SFS graduate, after passing the CISSP exam, I was considered for and appointed to a position on the (ISC)2 Government Advisory Board for Cyber Security to represent the views of the young professionals in our field. My participation in the SFS program not only helped me to secure my current positions, but also gave me the tools necessary to excel and make a meaningful contribution in the field."

Anonymous (2007 Bachelor in Information Systems [Marymount University])

"I am still a technical analyst at the CIA, and loving it! I get to do a lot of computer forensic work, which was my goal from the start. I am very thankful for the CyberCorps program which has helped me get on my feet and running. I honestly do not think I could be where I am today without the Cybercorps program."

Jonathan Poling (2007 Master of Computer Science)
"I can say, without question, that I have been extremely blessed to have been provided the opportunity to be a part of the Scholarship for Service program at The George Washington University. It was an extremely beneficial - not only did it help augment my knowledge within the field of Computer Security and Information Assurance, but it provided what other programs often do not offer - many networking opportunities that are quite critical for determining where one fits best within the government's many programs. These networking opportunities offered the ability to form the relationships necessary to get a foot in the door in the increasingly difficult arena of global security. The program's ability to offer education at such a high level of excellence paired with George Washington's central location within the heart of DC allowed for an abundance of opportunities to not only secure a job within the workforce of my choosing but also to become successful much earlier on in my life than I could have done otherwise.
I have no hesitation in recommending this program to anyone and everyone interested in the areas of Computer Security and Information Assurance looking to be educated at, and perform on, a very high level of excellence and integrity."

Kim Lawson-Jenkins (2006 Professional Degree in Computer Science)

"The Information Assurance Scholarship Program is an excellent example of a win/win scenario for the U.S. government and for the student. After more than 20 years of working in the telecommunication industry I entered George Washington University to acquire new skills for a career in the areas of security and privacy. I was accepted for admission to the university and had every intension of paying for my graduate degree with my own funds or with low interest loans, but I was awarded a DoD scholarship shortly before my classes began at the university.

I can say without reservation that for me, the most valuable aspects of the program are the work commitment at DoD and the extensive networking opportunities with influential scientists, executives, and policy makers in information assurance. The practical work experiences of the program perfectly complement the first class academic training received by IASP scholars. When I entered the Information Assurance Scholarship Program I had no idea if I would continue working in the federal government beyond my contractual work obligation. However, now as that day quickly approaches, I can't imagine finding work as challenging and fulfilling as I have found within the federal government and I plan to continue working in information assurance as a member the federal workforce for the rest of my career."

Kunal Johar (2006 Master of Computer Science)
"The DoD Information Assurance Scholarship Program (IASP) has been a fantastic opportunity to advance both my education and my career to levels unimaginable. The program is truly a skeleton key to open up the seemingly locked doors of opportunity. During the academic portion of the program, I was able to engage in wildly professional coursework. I took a course which spent several days with the CIA, FBI, and NY Police Department to explore how technology can be used in counter terrorism activities. Such a course brought realistic depth into how I could shape the rest of my education to solve day to day problems of those who care. Furthermore, the program gave me the funding to pursue as thorough of an education as I could handle. In addition to my undergraduate degree, with the support of my advisors I was able to complete a graduate degree as well as obtain certification in the realm of computer security.
The research, conference, internship and coursework opportunities presented by the program placed me in a favorable position once I entered the work force at age 21. As an entry level employee I was able to produce and be recognized for producing on the same level as team leads and managers. Within the first year of employment I was being assigned to projects directly by senior leadership. I have learned from my counterparts in private industry that such exposure is unheard of. The good opportunities then led to great opportunities. Recognition from above helped put me in a position to choose exciting projects to work on. I was able to land an assignment working for NATO in Brussels, Belgium where I was able to draft and steer multi-national policies that have had immediate impact for troops on the ground.

I feel honored to have gone through such a program. I couldn't be where I am now without the foundations I acquired through the process. Greater than the significance of my story is the fact that my story is far from unique. Throughout the ranks of the DoD there are a handful of IASP and SFS students each working on a set of exciting projects and each being recognized for their hard work. I am very fortunate to have the IASP be my first step to the rest of my career."

Quynh Dang (2005 Master of Computer Science)
"The scholarship I received from this SFS program was the greatest opportunity I have had in my life. I emigrated from Vietnam in 1997, and became a citizen in 2003. Five days after I was granted the citizenship, I had my first interview at GW about the scholarship.

I am now a computer scientist at The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). My job includes researching cryptography and developing national and international computer security standards and recommendations such as Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS), NIST Special Publications (SPs) in computer security and Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Internet drafts and standards. The scholarship was the stepping stone for me to have the job which I wanted.
I feel that I have achieved the American dream - since I got the scholarship (and my subsequent job), I have brought several family members over (which was their dream), bought a house and other investments, and now have a very good professional and financial foundation on which to build further."

Ari Elias-Bachrach (2004 Master of Computer Science)
"I got a masters degree at GWU in computer science through the Cybercorps program. During that time I interned for NASA in the Office of the Inspector General, and was employed there permanently upon graduation. I used my experiences and knowledge from GWU to perform IA-related audits and assessments in an effort to identify and remediate security vulnerabilities. Although I left the civil service, I currently work for the Navy Federal Credit Union as an information security engineer, tasked with finding vulnerabilities in our systems which would endanger the security of our member's assets.
There is no doubt in my mind that were it not for the Cybercorps and GWU I would not be where I am now. Prior to GWU I was a recent college graduate who wasn't sure where to look for a job, and was working as a Java developer in St. Louis. Although personal interest may have eventually pushed me to the field of information assurance, it would have likely taken a much longer period of time, and I would probably have never gotten into the government arena."

Joseph Mathews (2004 Master of Computer Engineering)
"Having graduated The George Washington University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering, I turned down a federal employment opportunity to pursue a Master of Science degree under the Information Assurance Scholarship Program. In retrospect, this was one of the smartest decisions I've made in my life. The IASP allowed me to continue my education while broadening my skills and expertise to the information security domain, a sector badly in need of talented professionals.
The IASP placed me at the Center for High Assurance Computer Systems at the US Naval Research Laboratory, under the area of network security research. After five years on the job, I now manage Advanced Capabilities Research, Development, Testing & Engineering for the US Navy.
Under this role, I have had the privilege of engineering and securing critical systems that enable warfighters to take the fight from the kinetic to information domains. I have worked with the many of the brave men and women serving their country while keeping the Navy on the cutting edge of information technology."