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Majors & Degrees

DSU announces 2017-2018 CyberCorps Scholars

May 25, 2017

Twelve DSU students have been named Cyber Corps scholars for 2017-2018.

The program, funded by the National Science Foundation, is intended to increase and strengthen the cadre of federal information assurance professionals that protect the government’s critical information infrastructure.

Almost 70 schools across the nation have Cyber Corps programs, but Dakota State University’s is the largest in terms of supported scholars, said Dr. Josh Pauli, professor in the College of Computing and Cyber Corps program director. Sixty-eight scholars have been funded since the program began at DSU in 2011; more than 30 are concurrent scholars. Total funding for student support is $5.2 million over five years; the grant is renewable in 2019.

“The quality of the DSU Cyber Corps increases every year,” Pauli said, “and the 2017 cohort keeps that momentum going.” There were over 40 applicants this year; the 12 who were selected are high performers in the classroom as well as being active outside class to support faculty and fellow students.

Eleven of the 12 members of the 2017-2018 cohort are listed below, with their hometown and major.

  • Mike Shlanta, Sioux Falls, S.D., MS in applied computer science
  • Trent Steen, Emery, S.D., computer science
  • Chase Lucas, Ocala, FL, cyber operations
  • Kody Everson, Sioux Falls, S.D., computer science
  • Mike Garippo, Melrose Park, Illinois, cyber operations
  • Adam Good, Martin, S.D., computer science
  • Jamie Roeder, Buffalo Center, Iowa, cyber operations
  • Nicholas Prokop, Canby, Minn., cyber operations
  • Zach Hoiberg, Sioux Falls, S.D., network security & administration
  • Jacob Williams, Parker, S.D., cyber operations
  • Ivy Oeltjenbruns, Hartford, S.D., cyber operations
  • Leah Bangston, Hartford, S.D., cyber operations

All tuition and fees are covered for students in the program. They also receive a stipend of $22,500 for undergraduate students, and $34,000 for graduate students, $4,000 in professional development funding, and $2,000 for books and supplies. Students complete paid summer internships at government agencies such as the S.D. Bureau of Information and Telecommunications in Pierre, S.D., the National Security Agency or John Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Students are also guaranteed a job in the security field following graduation, either in federal, state, local or tribal government. The student’s scholarship may be renewed for up to three years.

“Our entire Cyber Corps management team is excited to get started with these new scholars in the fall,” Pauli stated.

View more information on the Cyber Corps program at Dakota State.