Senior computer science with cybersecurity student Emily Forster is the first Oklahoma Christian University student to win the Department of Defense SMART scholarship, securing full coverage of school expenses, interning opportunities, and a job after graduation.
SMART is a merit-based scholarship-for-service program for STEM students. The program awards students with full tuition, annual stipends, and summer internships in exchange for a promise to work in the DOD after graduation for one year for each year they receive the scholarship.
Oklahoma Christian is recognized by the government as a National Center of Academic Excellence, a requirement to qualify for SMART and a distinction Oklahoma Christian’s cybersecurity program was designed for.
Curtis Coleman, founder of the cybersecurity program said the scholarship is new at Oklahoma Christian.
“We just started doing this,” Coleman said. “In order for a student to even apply, it’s only open to universities and colleges that have been designated by the National Security Agency as National Centers of Academic Excellence. We got our academic excellence distinction in the third year of our program which is the earliest you can get. Most schools will take up to 10 years before they get their distinction. I designed our program to meet that requirement.”
According to Coleman, the SMART scholarship is only for the best students, and the application process is not a time to be shy about accomplishments.
“You have to show why you should be a person who should win the scholarship,” Coleman said. It is not a time for you to be humble. It is a time for you to bring your best foot forward on the strengths that you have. We only want the best to have these kinds of scholarships.”
Coleman said Forster thrived in the cybersecurity program. Since upper-division cybersecurity classes are only for juniors and seniors, she took part in the cyber competition.
“Emily immediately started excelling in that area,” Coleman said. “As she applied herself into competitions, I saw her score rising. She was just growing with the program.”
Forster heard about the SMART scholarship when she was first looking at colleges and concerned about finances.
“I heard about it through my mom,” Forster said. “When I first started looking at colleges, she was like, ‘Okay, we need a way to pay for this, so here’s something I saw online.’ In addition to hearing her talk about it, I also heard Professor Coleman talk about it.”
After being rejected in the semifinalist phase her freshman year, she reapplied and secured the scholarship in April of 2024.
“It definitely gave me a boost of self-esteem,” Forster said, “because the year before, when I was a semifinalist, the acceptance rate was 15% and it was cut in half to 8% the year that I got it and I was like ‘Wow, they really see something in me maybe that I don’t see in myself,’ and I hope that I can find that as I continue to work for them.”
Forster believes God is responsible for helping win the scholarship.
“I really do think that God had a hand in it,” Forster said. “I probably prayed for like three months straight hoping I would get that award.”
Forster explained why she looks forward to working with the DOD:
“It kind of all ties back to the reason why I’m in cyber in the first place,” Forster said. “Just the idea of being able to help other people where I am. Being at OC has taught me that one of my strong suits is helping other people.”
Coleman encourages any STEM student with the prerequisite GPA to discuss the possibility of SMART scholarship with him.
“Every computer science student that is above a 3.4 should come in and talk with me and consider if they are a good candidate for this scholarship,” Coleman said. “Not every university can offer it. They may not be aware of what a special school OC is in regards to our cyber program.”
Oklahoma Christian’s distinction as a National Center of Academic Excellence sets it apart by providing unique scholarship opportunities to high-performing students.
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