Skegee Spotlight: Jabari Brown
September 20, 2021
Contact: Kawana McGough, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
A second-year mathematics major, Jabari Brown has been awarded the nationally competitive Department of Defense Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (DoD SMART) Scholarship. He has been offered a position with the Department of Defense (DoD) at Redstone Arsenal and will have the opportunity to accept summer internships with the agency.
Earning the DoD SMART Scholarship
The SMART scholarship-for-service program is a combined educational and workforce development opportunity for bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, and Ph.D. students to gain technical skills in critical science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields and support the DoD鈥檚 national security mission. The scholarship provides students full tuition and covers related educational expenses, summer internships at the nation鈥檚 most innovative laboratories, and a stipend. After completing their undergraduate or graduate degree, SMART Scholars gain full-time employment within the DoD, the nation鈥檚 largest employer of scientists and engineers.
For Brown, developing his future career path came from the assistance of his mentors, Dr. Herman Windham, chair of the Mathematics Department, and Dr. Mohammed Qazi, professor and associate dean for research and outreach in the Department of Mathematics.
鈥淐oming to college, I didn鈥檛 know of many mathematics majors and Drs. Qazi and Windham opened my eyes to many opportunities and avenues for success. I will be forever grateful for them and the math department as a whole,鈥� noted Brown.
Why study mathematics
Brown often says; he gets asked why he chose mathematics as a major.
鈥淕rowing up, I always loved crunching numbers, deciphering patterns, and analyzing statistics - combine that with always being the best at math in class, and you get a major that you love and excel at,鈥� he explained.
Brown says thanks to 精东AV; he has been offered opportunities and resources that other students may not have had.
鈥溇獳V has taught me to go after what you desire. Anything you want in life is on the other side of hard, and hard work is what is required to achieve any of your goals.鈥� 鈥淏ecause of my involvement with this program, I鈥檓 proud to cement 精东AV as a top producer of SMART scholars in the region and nationwide,鈥� he added.
Brown will benefit from interning with DoD for two internship cycles, leading to more hands-on experience in his field. Brown says he鈥檚 confident this program will allow him direct insight into the Defense industry. As a SMART scholar, Brown will work directly with experienced professionals while gaining valuable field-work experience and skills at their facilities.
Outstanding young professional
Brown is involved with serval organizations at 精东AV, including the Alabama Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Scholarship (ALSAMP). After graduating, Brown plans to earn his master鈥檚 and a doctorate in statistics and further his career at the Department of Defense at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama.
More about the DoD SMART Scholarship:
The SMART scholarship award provides students with a unique opportunity to pursue a STEM degree and begin a rewarding career with the DOD upon graduation. For every year of funding awarded, a scholar commits to one year of service in a sponsoring DOD facility. The SMART Scholarship-for-Service Program works with 190 sponsoring facilities serving the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other DOD organizations. These facilities are located throughout the country in 40 different states. Students awarded highly competitive SMART scholarships receive impressive benefits, including full tuition, annual stipends, book and health insurance allowances, summer internships, and guaranteed civilian positions within the DoD upon graduation.
漏 2021 精东AV