SMART Scholars

Jason Parker

Following high-school graduation, Massachuetts native Jason Parker began studies in 1997 toward a mechanical-engineering degree at the Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) in Boston. That didn't go so well. "I lacked the discipline and motivation at that time in my life and did not take advantage of the great opportunity," leaving WIT as a freshman, he says. A few years later, Parker applied for a job as a physical-science technician on the Ballistics Technology Team at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) in Natick, Mass. Here, Parker's career transformation took hold. Working closely with a senior mechanical engineer on the BTT, he received a wealth of knowledge and information about ballistics technology and engineering and helped develop an improved lightweight combat helmet.

In his spare time, Parker began to restore an antique car, which led to an interest in automotive engineering, which in turn "rekindled my academic interest in engineering," he says. And in 2002, "I had an epiphany. I was not on the right path. I needed to make some changes, and that’s exactly what I did." Parker began taking night classes to finish his bachelor’s degree. "I placed all of my effort and great dedication into school and work," he says. Soon he ran out of classes available at night and applied for the SMART scholarship. He was awarded a 2009 SMART scholarship and this fall began his studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He plans to complete his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, return to NSRDEC and continue work on armor development.

Marquita Priester

In 1911, Marie Curie suffered a near-fatal kidney ailment. Almost a century later, the same thing happened to Marquita Priester. Both women were determined to "never let one’s self be beaten down by persons or by events," as Curie once said, and both also went on to careers in science.

During Priester's junior year at Clark Atlanta University, she encountered a kidney disease that runs in her family. Her Curie-like philosophy helped her overcome it. "I don’t believe in allowing circumstances or life’s problems to stop what you are supposed to be doing," she says. While recovering, Priester was accepted to the SMART program. Scholarship in hand, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree with a 3.6 grade point average in computer science. Afterward, she completed her master’s degree in digital forensics with a 3.9 GPA.

During World War I, Marie Curie showed surgeons how to use X-rays to locate bullets and shrapnel in the wounds of soldiers. Today, Marquita Priester works in the biometrics and forensics branch of the Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center–Atlantic in Charleston, S.C., "looking to serve the warfighter and my country."

Steve Fastow

Just a few weeks into the job, Steve Fastow set sail on a U.S. Navy destroyer. He isn’t a sailor, but a civilian computer engineer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, R.I. Fastow describes his experience: "Working in a Navy lab, you get to do things that you would otherwise never do."

In high school, Fastow was the guy everyone went to with computer problems. He went on to Rochester Institute of Technology, studying computer engineering and working as a summer intern at the Newport Navy lab. There, he learned of a Department of Defense initiative under the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) — the SMART program, which paid his tuition and school expenses. After earning his degree, Fastow returned to Newport. "I started right to work," he says. "I knew exactly what I had to do the first day."

Fastow soon saw what makes defense labs different from private-sector organizations: Their single focus is on supporting America’s warfighters. That perspective was apparent aboard ship. "You really get a profound view of how the technology is used and a big respect for the people who go out there every day to protect us," says Fastow.

"I am happy where I am," he says. And he got there by following his heart and natural inclinations, which led to unexpected opportunities.




Three Primary Programs Nourish Science and Engineering Careers National Defense Education Program’s purpose is to foster a new generation of scientists, mathematicians, engineers and technologists who will one day discover and problem solve in the nation’s defense laboratories. With nearly 13,000 scientists and engineers expected to retire during the next decade, this national security effort is aimed a preserving American core competence in critical disciplines and maintaining U.S. technological superiority into the future. Jason Parker Following high-school graduation, Massachuetts native Jason Parker began studies in 1997 toward a mechanical-engineering degree at the Wentworth Institute of Technology (WIT) in Boston. That didn't go so well. "I lacked the discipline and motivation at that time in my life and did not take advantage of the great opportunity," leaving WIT as a freshman, he says. A few years later, Parker applied for a job as a physical-science technician on the Ballistics Technology Team at the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center (NSRDEC) in Natick, Mass. Here, Parker's career transformation took hold. Working closely with a senior mechanical engineer on the BTT, he received a wealth of knowledge and information about ballistics technology and engineering and helped develop an improved lightweight combat helmet. In his spare time, Parker began to restore an antique car, which led to an interest in automotive engineering, which in turn "rekindled my academic interest in engineering," he says. And in 2002, "I had an epiphany. I was not on the right path. I needed to make some changes, and that’s exactly what I did." Parker began taking night classes to finish his bachelor’s degree. "I placed all of my effort and great dedication into school and work," he says. Soon he ran out of classes available at night and applied for the SMART scholarship. He was awarded a 2009 SMART scholarship and this fall began his studies at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. He plans to complete his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, return to NSRDEC and continue work on armor development. Marquita Priester In 1911, Marie Curie suffered a near-fatal kidney ailment. Almost a century later, the same thing happened to Marquita Priester. Both women were determined to "never let one’s self be beaten down by persons or by events," as Curie once said, and both also went on to careers in science. During Priester's junior year at Clark Atlanta University, she encountered a kidney disease that runs in her family. Her Curie-like philosophy helped her overcome it. "I don’t believe in allowing circumstances or life’s problems to stop what you are supposed to be doing," she says. While recovering, Priester was accepted to the SMART program. Scholarship in hand, she went on to earn her bachelor’s degree with a 3.6 grade point average in computer science. Afterward, she completed her master’s degree in digital forensics with a 3.9 GPA. During World War I, Marie Curie showed surgeons how to use X-rays to locate bullets and shrapnel in the wounds of soldiers. Today, Marquita Priester works in the biometrics and forensics branch of the Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center–Atlantic in Charleston, S.C., "looking to serve the warfighter and my country." Steve Fastow Just a few weeks into the job, Steve Fastow set sail on a U.S. Navy destroyer. He isn’t a sailor, but a civilian computer engineer at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center in Newport, R.I. Fastow describes his experience: "Working in a Navy lab, you get to do things that you would otherwise never do." In high school, Fastow was the guy everyone went to with computer problems. He went on to Rochester Institute of Technology, studying computer engineering and working as a summer intern at the Newport Navy lab. There, he learned of a Department of Defense initiative under the National Defense Education Program (NDEP) — the SMART program, which paid his tuition and school expenses. After earning his degree, Fastow returned to Newport. "I started right to work," he says. "I knew exactly what I had to do the first day." Fastow soon saw what makes defense labs different from private-sector organizations: Their single focus is on supporting America’s warfighters. That perspective was apparent aboard ship. "You really get a profound view of how the technology is used and a big respect for the people who go out there every day to protect us," says Fastow. "I am happy where I am," he says. And he got there by following his heart and natural inclinations, which led to unexpected opportunities.