UHV graduate student earns full federal scholarship
When Elizabeth Akanbi first heard about a competitive scholarship and future employment opportunity through the U.S. Department of Defense, she was a little intimidated, but applied anyway. A few months later, Akanbi learned that she had been chosen for the SMART Program.
“I’m so excited to have the opportunity to be part of this program and receive the funds to continue my studies at UHV,” the Houston resident said. “This is such a big step forward from where my life was before, and I plan to keep moving forward.”
Akanbi, a graduate student at the University of Houston-Victoria, is working toward earning a Master of Science in data science. She previously earned a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems from the university.
According to the program website, the SMART Program is part of the U.S. Department of Defense’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics portfolio. The program offers students pursuing STEM degrees a scholarship that covers the full cost of tuition, as well as an annual stipend of $30,000 to $46,000, a book and health allowance, a summer internship and mentorship. In addition, recipients commit to working for a year as a DoD civilian employee.
“This scholarship offers an excellent work opportunity and boasts a competitive selection rate of 15 percent from all applicants,” said Yun Wan, a UHV professor of computer information systems and the faculty member who encouraged Akanbi to apply. “Elizabeth's achievement in securing this prestigious scholarship is a testament not only to her academic performance but also to her dedication to boldly seize such opportunities and give it a try. I strongly encourage all of our students, particularly those pursuing technology majors with strong academic records, to confidently embrace these opportunities when they come.”
After learning she was selected to receive the scholarship, Akanbi called her friend and her four sons to share the news. When she began her studies, she was paying for everything out-of-pocket. Now, after seeing how the program will help his mother, one of her sons is planning to apply for the program as well this year.
“I told them that this is why it’s so important to have good grades and have goals for their lives,” Akanbi said. “I came to the U.S. from Nigeria in 2006. They have grown up here, so they have many more opportunities than I did. I hope they will be inspired by this and do even greater things in their own lives.”
Before getting her degrees at UHV, Akanbi worked in the health care field, and she hopes to put her newfound knowledge and skills in technology to work to help find ways to treat and find cures for diseases such as cancer. She also has the opportunity to apply for the SMART Program again if she decides to pursue a doctoral degree after earning her master’s at UHV.
“I am grateful to Dr. Wan for telling me about this scholarship and encouraging me to apply,” she said. “I was so sure that my application wouldn’t be accepted when I first applied, but now I have so many new opportunities because of that decision.”
The University of Houston-Victoria, located in the heart of the Coastal Bend region since 1973 in Victoria, Texas, offers courses leading to more than 50 academic programs in the schools of Arts & Sciences; Business Administration; and Education, Health Professions & Human Development. UHV provides face-to-face classes at its Victoria campus, as well as an instructional site in Katy, Texas, and online classes that students can take from anywhere. UHV supports the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Opportunities for All initiative to increase awareness about state colleges and universities and the important role they have in providing a high-quality and accessible education to an increasingly diverse student population, as well as contributing to regional and state economic development.