Mechanical engineering students Leah Schachter and Claire Daugherty are among the 2021 recipients of the Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship. Awarded annually by the Department of Defense, the SMART Scholarship provides students with full tuition for up to five years, summer internships, a stipend and full-time employment with the DoD after graduation.
This unique opportunity offers students hands-on experience at one of more than 200 of the nation’s most 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. Since 2006, nine CWRU students have received this prestigious award.
Following graduation, Daugherty, who is currently studying mechanical engineering with minors in civil engineering and business management, will be employed by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in Patuxent River, Maryland.
Likewise Schachter, who is currently studying mechanical engineering, will be employed by the U.S. Army DEVCOM Armaments Center in Picatinny, New Jersey.
The Department of Defense is the largest employer of scientists and engineers in the nation with nearly 300,000 STEM professionals. 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, visit smartscholarship.org. The application is open annually from August through December.