As the Center marks 15 years of impact, this year’s recipients highlight the next generation of cybersecurity talent the “Fuel the Next 15” campaign is designed to support
Alexandria, Va., August 13, 2026 – The Center for Cyber Safety and Education, ISC2’s charitable arm, announced the recipients of its 2026 Academic Scholarships, recognizing students pursuing undergraduate, associate and graduate degrees in cybersecurity and related fields. This year’s recipients attend colleges and universities around the world and were selected for their academic promise, financial need and commitment to helping build a safer, more secure digital world.
Announced during the Center’s 15th anniversary year, the 2026 Academic Scholarships reflect the Center’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to cybersecurity education and career pathways. Through its Fuel the Next 15 campaign, the Center is inviting the community to help fund the next generation of cybersecurity professionals by supporting scholarships, cyber safety education, volunteer engagement and global partnerships.
“These scholarship recipients represent the talent, determination and diverse perspectives needed to strengthen the future cybersecurity workforce,” said Dhriti P. Stocks, Executive Director of the Center for Cyber Safety and Education. “As we celebrate 15 years of impact, we are proud to support students who are pursuing their education, building skills for the AI-era and preparing to make meaningful contributions to the profession.”
2026 Academic Scholarship Recipients
The 2026 academic scholarship recipients include:
Samantha Jennings-Jones Memorial Scholarship Recipient (Undergraduate)
Brenda Nguyen, San Diego Community College District
Associate Scholarship Recipients
- Jeremiah Clay, Cleveland Community College
- Urangoo Dashdavaa, Central Piedmont Community College
- Itzel Lamas, Coastline Community College
- DeQuan Miller, Collin Community College
- AntonioNicholson, Anne Arundel Community College
Undergraduate Scholarship Recipients
- James Ballard, East Tennessee State University
- Viktorija Kersnauskaite, The Open University
- Dominik Kuller, Oregon Institute of Technology
- Felista Nabintu, University of Arizona
- Shakeya Philpotts, Eastern Florida State College
- Azka Siddiqui, University of Waterloo
Graduate Scholarship Recipients
- Praise Attah, Tufts University
- Enoch Eshetu, Liberty University
- Nuwan Jayawardene, Colorado State University
- Miriam Muriithi, Griffith College
- Gloria Nwaigba, HDBW: University of Applied Sciences for Business and Economics
- Janmejaya Swain, Charles Sturt University
- Chengzeng You, Imperial College London
These scholarships provide financial support that helps students continue their education and focus on developing the skills needed to protect individuals, organizations and communities from evolving cyber threats. Several recipients described the scholarship as both practical support and a vote of confidence in their potential to contribute to the field.
“Receiving this scholarship is both an honor and a meaningful step forward in my academic and professional journey,” said Brenda Nguyen, recipient of the Samantha Jennings-Jones Memorial Scholarship Recipient (Undergraduate). “This support allows me to focus fully on developing my technical skills and continuing to grow within the cybersecurity community.”
For graduate recipient Enoch Eshetu, the award is “not just financial support; it’s recognition that the work I’m doing in cybersecurity and public safety is meaningful and worth investing in.” Undergraduate recipient Azka Hassan Siddiqui said the scholarship has strengthened her commitment to mentoring and inspiring young women to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
The 2026 recipients join a growing community of Center scholarship alumni who have gone on to contribute to the cybersecurity field and make a difference in the world. Since its founding in 2011, the Center has awarded more than 1,100 scholarships valued at more than U.S. $3.1 million. Through Fuel the Next 15, the Center aims to build on this momentum and help more students and emerging professionals access the education and support they need to enter, grow and lead in cybersecurity.
To learn more about the Center’s scholarships and support the Fuel the Next 15 campaign, visit www.iamcybersafe.org.
About the Center for Cyber Safety and Education
The Center for Cyber Safety and Education is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization established by ISC2 in 2011. With a focus on inspiring a safe and secure cyber world, the Center empowers the general public, across all backgrounds and demographics, to secure their online lives through cybersecurity education and cyber safety awareness programs. As one of the world’s leading providers of cybersecurity scholarships, awarding more than $3 million to students and emerging professionals, the Center is committed to breaking down barriers to entering the cybersecurity field. Its mission is to cultivate the next generation of cybersecurity professionals and enable a cyber-safe future, with the help of its volunteers across more than 50 countries. Visit www.iamcybersafe.org.
About ISC2
ISC2 is the world’s leading member organization for cybersecurity professionals, driven by our vision of a safe and secure cyber world. Our more than 265,000 certified members, and associates, are a force for good, safeguarding the way we live. Our award-winning certifications – including cybersecurity’s premier certification, the CISSP® – enable professionals to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities at every stage of their careers. ISC2 strengthens the influence, diversity and vitality of the cybersecurity profession through advocacy, expertise and workforce empowerment that accelerates cyber safety and security in an interconnected world. Our charitable foundation, the Center for Cyber Safety and Education, helps create more access to cyber careers and educates those most vulnerable. Learn more, get involved or become an ISC2 Candidate to build your cyber career at ISC2.org. Connect with us on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.
© 2026 ISC2 Inc., ISC2, CISSP, SSCP, CCSP, CGRC, CSSLP, HCISPP, ISSAP, ISSEP, ISSMP, CC, and CBK are registered marks of ISC2, Inc.
Media Contact:
Amanda SteinmanSenior Corporate Communications Manager
ISC2
asteinman@isc2.org