The inaugural Naval Info Warfare Techniques Command (NAVWAR) and Naval Postgraduate Faculty (NPS) Traditionally Black Faculties and Universities and Minority Serving Establishments (HBCU/MSI) Scholarship-for-Service (S4S) Program has formally commenced, with 4 college students chosen as a part of the preliminary cohort to begin their research at NPS this September.
The 2-year graduate program is the primary of its type inside the Division of Protection (DOD), with NAVWAR serving because the pilot. It goals to encourage analysis and academic partnerships between HBCU/MSIs and authorities protection organizations. With tuition, wage and journey all coated by the Beneath Secretary of Protection for Analysis and Engineering [USD (R&E)], this system will help the scholars financially and with mentorship from present DOD staff all through their research at NPS in Monterey, Calif.
“It’s an honor that NAVWAR is partnering with NPS to take step one because the pilot of this extraordinary program,” stated John Pope, government director of NAVWAR. “The labs the scholars can be working in upon commencement do very important work that serves the warfighter. I can’t wait to see how this program will acquire traction throughout the DOD, and what the primary cohort and past will be capable to obtain by collaborating.”
Scholarship-for-Service refers back to the scholarship supplied to the members to finish their grasp’s levels at NPS for free of charge to them, in change for 3 years of service at a Naval Info Warfare Heart (NIWC) Pacific or NIWC Atlantic laboratory upon commencement. The NIWC areas embrace San Diego, Calif. and Charleston, S.C.; New Orleans, La.; and Norfolk, Va., respectively.
The chosen college students are all latest graduates from HBCU/MSIs pursuing grasp’s levels in science, know-how, engineering and math (STEM) fields related to the DOD. As a result of the NIWC labs rent and onboard the scholars as staff earlier than attending NPS, they are going to be receiving salaries whereas finishing their research.
There are a number of phases within the S4S program, with members first reporting to their chosen NIWC location for onboarding as staff in August 2023. They then transition to NPS in September to start their research for a grasp’s diploma, the place they’ll stay for 18 months. Over the past six months, candidates will full their thesis at their recognized NIWC. Upon completion of this system, graduates have a service dedication to work at their respective NIWC for 3 years, with a wage commensurate with their grasp’s-level expertise.
Two of the scholars can be going to work on the Cyber/Science & Expertise (S&T) and Command and Management and Enterprise Engineering labs at NIWC Pacific, respectively, and the opposite two can be heading to the Manufacturing, High quality & Manufacturing and Knowledge Science & Analytics labs at NIWC Atlantic, respectively. All through their time at NPS, the scholars can be making quarterly journeys to their NIWC location to work alongside their educational supervisors and construct a relationship with their future colleagues.
One of many members, James Yapnayon from Norfolk State College, is planning to review pc science with a specialization in both cybersecurity and protection or cyber operations. He discovered in regards to the NAVWAR-NPS S4S program from his senior seminar professor as an possibility for each profession development and pursuit of upper training upon commencement. Yapnayon is most trying ahead to persevering with to be taught in regards to the newest analysis and methodologies associated to cybersecurity and work alongside his friends who share an analogous ardour.
“One in all my function fashions that influenced my resolution to pursue this program is my father, James Yapnayon, Sr., who served within the U.S. Navy for 20 years,” he stated. “His dedication and repair has impressed my very own need to contribute to the nation by Navy civilian service, a step that looks like giving again to an establishment who has given a lot to us.”
Justin Coppage, NIWC Pacific educational supervisor and cybersecurity resiliency department head, can be working with Yapnayon on the Cyber/S&T lab in San Diego. He’ll meet with Yapnayon one-on-one throughout his quarterly visits to the lab from NPS and supply recommendation as a mentor, like serving to him choose related courses.
“Being mentor isn’t solely about giving profession recommendation but in addition making certain they really feel personally supported as a result of new professionals usually really feel like they don’t belong after they’re first beginning,” stated Coppage. “I’m trying ahead to watching James’ profession develop and ensuring he looks like he’s a part of the staff whereas he’s in Monterey. He’s already indicated what he’s excited by pursuing, and I hope to assist him meet his objectives.”
Dejuan Inexperienced, additionally graduating from Norfolk State College, will examine pc science with a cybersecurity and protection observe whereas at NPS. With an undergraduate diploma in data know-how, he’ll leverage his current abilities to additional his information within the business in addition to develop his horizons by assembly different like-minded people.
“I’ve at all times been excited by safety operations heart analyst positions in addition to digital forensics however total, the objective is to develop my talent to change into a cybersecurity skilled and assist others,” he stated. “I’ve by no means been to the west coast earlier than, so I can’t wait to see the surroundings and nature.”
Joe Amman, venture engineer at NIWC Atlantic, can be mentoring Inexperienced all through his research and supervising him instantly when he returns to Norfolk after 18 months at NPS. “We’re tentatively planning for Inexperienced to help in-service life-cycle engineering, fleet/buyer help or high quality assurance,” Amman stated. “We rent many new professionals on the Manufacturing, High quality & Manufacturing lab and help them with mentorship, rotation and extra, so now we have infrastructure in place to assist Inexperienced succeed.”
Though this yr’s cohort is 4 college students, Allyson Dopwell, NAVWAR-NPS variety STEM S4S program interim director, is hopeful that future courses will develop in numbers and expands to different DOD laboratories because the S4S program turns into extra established. This system has additionally obtained funding and help from leaders throughout the DOD and Navy like Dr. Kevin Smith, the vice provost for analysis at NPS; Maurice Civers-Davis, the Navy HBCU/MSI program workplace deputy director; and Evelyn Kent, the director of the HBCU/MSI program on the Workplace of USD (R&E).
“There was extra curiosity inside the DOD and Navy in investing in our future expertise for our nationwide safety in addition to growing variety,” Dopwell stated. “As program director, I’m working to domesticate relationships between the Navy and HBCU/MSIs throughout the nation to draw extra candidates for future years. We’re excited to see this system enhance and develop within the years to return.”
About NAVWAR:
NAVWAR identifies, develops, delivers and sustains data warfighting capabilities and providers that allow naval, joint, coalition and different nationwide missions working in warfighting domains from seabed to house and thru our on-line world. NAVWAR consists of greater than 11,000 civilian, energetic responsibility and reserve professionals situated all over the world.
About NPS:
The Naval Postgraduate Faculty supplies defense-focused graduate training, together with labeled research and interdisciplinary analysis, to advance the operational effectiveness, technological management and warfighting benefit of the naval service. For added data, go to NPS on-line at https://nps.edu.
