Carter Gonzalez from Colorado School of Mines Awarded DoD SMART Scholarship
Golden, CO [May 28, 2024] – Carter Gonzalez, a 4+1 B.S./M.S. student at Colorado School of Mines was awarded the Department of Defense (DoD) Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship.
SMART is a Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) focused scholarship-for-service program and is one of the largest education and workforce initiatives under DoD STEM – the Department’s comprehensive K-20 STEM education and talent development effort.
This award provides students with full tuition for up to five years, mentorship, summer internships, a stipend and full-time employment with the DoD 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 DoD. During summer internships, SMART scholars work directly with an experienced mentor, gaining valuable technical skills. After graduation Gonzalez will work at Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast (NAVFAC Southeast) in the Environmental Operations division in Jacksonville, Florida.
Gonzalez is currently studying Environmental Engineering at Mines. He will graduate with his B.S. in May 2026 and with his M.S. in May 2027. Gonzalez said, “Through the SMART Scholarship I am able to fund my master’s degree and immediately work in a relevant field immediately after graduation. I am excited to join a career path I have always envisioned myself in, and am excited for the internship opportunities preceding my graduation.”
The DoD is committed to developing the Nation’s STEM talent and is the largest employer of federal scientists and engineers with nearly 300,000 STEM professionals 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: Outreach@smartscholarship.org
ABOUT THE OFFICE OF NATIONALLY COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIPS
The DoD SMART Scholarship is administered at Mines through the Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships. For more information about applying for the DoD SMART Scholarship or other national and international scholarships, please contact ashley.weibel@mines.edu and visit: https://nationalscholarships.mines.edu/