Where Are They Now?

Thank you for your contributions and interest in the 2023 UMSA Scholarship Campaign. You made a difference in the lives of our scholars, rising cybersecurity professionals who come from all walks of life but have one thing in common: their commitment to cybersecurity.

So, what has happened in the lives of our scholars since receiving their awards? Many of our recipients were able to check-in with us on their educational and employment status. Scroll below to see just what they’re up to and how the UMSA Foundation has impacted them.

About the UMSA Foundation Scholarship Program 

If you’d like to help support the 2024 program, please make a donation here! 

Hawi Daba

I am an undergraduate student in my sophomore year at Minnesota State University, Moorhead, pursuing a double major in Cybersecurity and Computer Science. My coursework focuses on various aspects of cybersecurity, including securing networks, integrating cybersecurity measures into technological innovation development processes, and developing database management systems to ensure safety, security and structural integrity.

As a recipient of the UMSA scholarship in 2023, I cannot overstate the impact it has had on my academic journey. This scholarship provided me with the resources to pursue my education during a time when I was facing significant financial challenges. It not only allowed me to continue my studies but also inspired me to work harder and strive for excellence. I am deeply grateful for your generosity and can assure you that your donations make a tangible difference in the lives of students like me. As I look to the future, I encourage you to consider donating to the 2024 giving campaign. Your support can help other students pursue their dreams, just as it has helped me. Thank you again for your generosity and continued support!

Gwendolyn Vongkasemsiri

I am currently a junior in my double major of Cyber Operations and Network Security & Administration at Dakota State University. I will be interning at Microsoft this summer in Redmond, WA as a Security Program Manager intern, and I’m also proud to be a member of the national US Cyber Team for the 2nd year in a row.

This spring semester, I was able to become a foreign exchange student studying abroad at Mahidol University in Thailand, and I’ve learned so much from my experiences abroad and have gained many new perspectives and cultural insights! I am everlastingly grateful for the UMSA scholarship and for the enablement and empowerment it gave me to follow my dreams.

Elvis Ameyaw

Due to the recent completion of my associate degree in Cyber Defense, which this scholarship helped fund, I’m in the process of being promoted from Jr. Security Analyst to Security Analyst at my employer. I’m also in the process of beginning my BS/MS Cybersecurity Program at Metro State University to enhance my career.

This scholarship has allowed me to gain confidence in my abilities as a cybersecurity professional and endure less stress in funding my education. I am now engaging in higher level tasks, such as risk assessment, mitigation tactics, and framework implementations to better the security posture of our organizations.

Emma Gustavson

I am completing my final semester towards earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Cyber Security through Metropolitan State University. Thanks to the Upper Midwest Security Alliance scholarship, I have been able to focus more on my studies and less on my financial burdens- directly resulting in my current 4.0 GPA standing and making the Dean’s List for the last three semesters in a row.

Though I am currently unemployed at the moment after receiving a bad back injury, post-graduation I plan to utilize the tools I have acquired while studying and networking through my Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition experiences to receive an internship opportunity in the field of cybersecurity for more hands-on experience. I can confidently say I would not be half as successful as I am now without generous donors such as yourselves helping students like me achieve their dreams.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, and I hope you will continue to help future aspiring students achieve their goals just as you have helped me obtain mine.

Wacheng Dylan Yang

I am in my second to last semester at Hennepin Technical College, where I am majoring in Cyber Defense! I have been able to learn so much since getting my UMSA scholarship. Having received this award has given me a great deal of motivation, as it shows that there is a ton of support in this field of study. Currently, I am taking four courses this semester, with my favorite being a class that aligns with the CompTIA CySA+ Exam. Using uCertify as the online curriculum, I am able to get exposure to many different security tools from their Labs such as WireShark, Zenmap, Maltego, and more!

Since getting my scholarship, I have also been able to kick start my career in IT with a job working closely with my company’s Information Security team. I have gained so much knowledge on safety practices, and vulnerabilities that may come up, and I get to work closely with other groups to mitigate risks, and this is all before receiving my degree! I believe that obtaining the UMSA scholarship has contributed greatly to my professional resume, as my employers are able to see that I am recognized for my passion and lifelong learning in the world of cybersecurity. 

Oludayo Dahunsi

I am in my third semester at Minnesota State University Mankato as a graduate student in the Information Technology program concentrating on cybersecurity. My coursework has equipped me with the skills to understand the intricacy of ethical hacking tools like Metasploit Framework, RAM Pillaging, etc. I have also delved into using Wireshark to trace packets in network security incidents and analyze traffic to find suspicious intruders in a network infrastructure. 

Analyzing network traffic allows me to gain in-depth knowledge of network protocols, identify traffic bursts, and understand how data flows across network segments. I have also learned how they can be applied to an organization in real-life scenarios. The UMSA scholarship helped me concentrate on my academic goal by reducing my financial concerns while I developed myself.

Annabelle Klosterman

I graduated with my Bachelor’s in Cyber Operations in December of 2022 and Master’s in Cyber Defense in the Summer of 2023, both from Dakota State University. Currently, I work as a Technology Manager for a set of banks across the Midwest. The scholarships from UMSA have helped open doors that have played a key role in my career. I have been able to see firsthand the impact that I have within real world applications. Without the support of educational scholarships and a wonderful community, I would not be in the position I am in now.

If you’d like to help support the program, please make a donation here! Thank you.