U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., congratulated three Augusta University students selected as recipients of the Department of Defense’s Information Assurance Scholarship Program.
 
Undergraduate students Jeremy Garcia and Stephanie Morris and graduate student Matthew Atkinson earned the scholarship, which is awarded to students specializing in information assurance, information technology and cybersecurity. In exchange for receiving a full-ride scholarship, students agree to work for the Department of Defense in support the nation’s cyber mission.
 
“I’m very proud to see these Augusta University students take initiative to lead the way in our next generation of cyber scholars,” said Senator Isakson. “Our national security depends on a workforce that is prepared and eager to engage in this expanding domain of warfare. This scholarship will help provide more students with opportunities to help prevent and counter cyber threats.”
 
“Our nation must strengthen its defense capabilities to combat the constant asymmetric threats we face on a daily basis,” said Senator Perdue. “When it comes to cybersecurity, I'm encouraged to see students in Georgia leading the way. Congratulations to Jeremy, Stephanie, and Matthew. Our country depends on students like you to help protect us from domestic and global cyber threats.”
 
Isakson and Perdue worked with a bipartisan group of Republicans and Democrats to expand the cyber scholarship program to include National Centers of Academic Excellence, which include the following Georgia universities: Armstrong State University, Augusta University, Columbus State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University, Middle Georgia State University and the University of North Georgia. Augusta University was the only Center of Academic Excellence in Georgia to receive scholarship students this year.
 
Georgia plays a large role in developing our nation’s cyber capabilities. Fort Gordon in Augusta, Ga., is home to the United States Army Cyber Center of Excellence, the National Security Agency Georgia Army Command, and the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, a state-owned facility designed to promote modernization in cybersecurity technology for both private and public industries.