(Posted May 4, 2022)

Reagan Goldsmith '24

Reagan Goldsmith '24

HUNTINGDON, Pa. — A Juniata College sophomore has been named as one of 21 college students nationwide to receive the Department of Defense Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship. 

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. 

Reagan Goldsmith of Middletown, Del., who is studying engineering physics, learned about the scholarship through a program she participated in while in the eighth grade. 

“This scholarship will help me reach my goals because it alleviates a lot of stress that comes with being a college student, as they pay my tuition each year,” said Goldsmith. “I can really focus on my academics and athletics for the years I have remaining because I already have a plan for after graduation.”

This unique opportunity offers students hands-on experience at one of over 200 innovative laboratories across the Army, Navy, Air Force, and larger Department of Defense. During summer internships, SMART scholars work directly with an experienced mentor, gaining valuable technical skills. 

“This will also help me with a plan for after graduation because it is a scholarship for service program. This means that for every year they pay my tuition, I’ll work for my sponsoring facility for a year after I graduate,” she said. “Then, they could offer me a position. It’s an opportunity that gives me experience in a field I’m interested in pursuing as a career.”

After graduation from Juniata, Goldsmith will work at the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command – Army Evaluation Center (AEC) located in Aberdeen, Md.

Goldsmith was assisted through the application process with letters of recommendation written by Dr. Jamie White, William I. and Zella B. Book Professor of Physics, and Laina Connor, head softball coach at Juniata. 

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 over a decade, SMART has trained a highly-skilled STEM workforce that competes with the evolving trends of industry to support the next generation of science and technology for our nation. 

For more information on the SMART Program or to learn how students can apply, please visit www.smartscholarship.org. The application is open annually from August through December. 

ABOUT THE SMART PROGRAM 

The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity for bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. students to gain technical skills in critical STEM fields and support the national security mission of the Department of Defense. 

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.