First HCU student to receive prestigious SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program award
Houston, Texas, April 14, 2023 – Houston Christian University (HCU) cyber engineering student, Chloe Spiller, was awarded the Department of Defense Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship. The SMART Scholarship-for-Service program is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity that provides STEM students with the tools to pursue higher education and begin a rewarding career with the DoD. Spiller’s selection makes her the first HCU student to receive the prestigious scholarship.
“HCU heartily congratulates Chloe on her selection as our first DoD SMART Scholar, knowing she will be an example for many more of our students to compete for programs like these in the years to come. And I also congratulate the leaders and faculty in our College of Science and Engineering who provide such dedicated mentorship to our students,” shad HCU President Robert Sloan.
A semi-finalist in 2022, Spiller was encouraged by Dr. Katie Evans, HCU Dean of the College of Science and Engineering and Asst. Professor Melissa Carlton to apply again. Heeding their advice, she was selected from among 526 students from across the country to participate in the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program in 2023.
“The HCU College of Science and Engineering is so proud that Chloe has been awarded the DoD SMART Scholarship to support the completion of her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Chloe is well-deserving of this highly competitive scholarship, and she brings prestige to the University as our first-ever recipient,” said Dr. Evans.
This award provides students with full tuition for up to five years, mentorship, summer internships, a stipend and full-time employment with the Department of Defense after graduation. This unique opportunity offers students hands-on experience at one of over 200 Department of Defense facilities during their internship and the chance to apply this knowledge as early career professionals. During summer internships, SMART scholars work directly with an experienced mentor, gaining valuable technical skills.
SMART is a one-for-one commitment; for every year of degree funding, the scholar commits to working for a year with the DoD as a civilian employee. After graduation, Spiller will work at the Air Force Sustainment Center at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma.
A current junior at HCU, Spiller expressed pride in her selection and looks forward to beginning her internship in the DoD program in the Fall of 2023.
“No matter how difficult these last three years have been, I know God favors me. He sustained me in the face of great difficulties, trials and adversities. Each has taught me persistence and perseverance. To say I’m thankful would be an understatement. I am proud to represent Houston Christian University as the first recipient of this scholarship program,” said Spiller.
The Department of Defense is committed to developing the nation’s STEM talent and is the largest employer of federal scientists and engineers with nearly 150,000 civilian STEM employees working across the Department. DoD STEM activities support this mission by providing authentic learning experiences through a variety of education and outreach initiatives, such as the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program.
For more information on the SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program or to learn how students can apply, please visit www.smartscholarship.org. The application is open annually from August through December.
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ABOUT HOUSTON CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
For more than 60 years, Houston Christian University has equipped students to lead, collaborate, and embody a deep sense of spiritual purpose as a result of our central confession, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” The University offers a wide range of majors, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs, as well as NCAA Division I athletics in the Southland Conference. Located in the heart of one of the nation’s largest metropolitan centers, HCU’s culture of excellence molds the next generation of educated disciples to be pillars in their communities, preparing them to think critically and biblically as they impact the world.
ABOUT THE SMART PROGRAM
The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity for bachelor’s, master’s and PhD students to gain technical skills in critical STEM fields and support the national security mission of the Department of Defense. For more information, visit SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program.