Sean Bowker and Ella Harshyne have earned the 2026 SMART Scholarship. Funded by the United States Department of
War, the SMART (Science, Math and Research for the Transformation) Scholarship provides a
pathway for undergraduates and graduate students to join the cutting-edge STEM workforce
at DoW facilities.
Why it matters
SMART aims to increase the number of civilian scientists and engineers working in Department of
War laboratories. Bowker and Harshyne will receive funding for full tuition and education
related fees, a stipend of over $25,000 and paid summer internships and mentoring. Through
their summer internship, the SMART Scholars will be mentored by experienced DoW scientists
and can put the knowledge they’ve developed in their coursework into practice. Bowker and Harshyne,
both students in the Molinaroli College of Engineering, will become DOW employees
upon graduation.
Meet the Scholars
South Carolina Honors College student Sean Bowker is a rising junior studying civil engineering. As a SMART Scholar, Bowker will spend
the summer at Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Southeast in Jacksonville,
Florida. Bowker is a member of USC’s chapter of Theta Tau, a professional engineering
fraternity, as well as the Epsilon Tau Pi Eagle Scout Service Fraternity.
What he’s saying: “I’m incredibly honored to receive the SMART Scholarship and grateful for the opportunity to support a mission greater than myself. I’m excited to continue growing
as an engineer with the guidance of my professors and mentors in Jacksonville!”
Ella Harshyne is a rising junior computer science major. She will intern at the Naval Surface Warfare
Center in Dahlgren, Virginia, and looks forward to making meaningful contributions
to defense software projects. At USC, Harshyne is a member of the Kappa Theta Pi technology
fraternity. She is excited to continue to grow as a software developer through the
SMART program.
What she’s saying: “Previously, I conducted prostate cancer research, which gave me early exposure to
applying computational thinking to real-world scientific problems. Receiving the SMART
Scholarship is my most recent and most significant honor, and I look forward to the
experiences it will bring at Dahlgren.”
National Fellowships & Scholar Programs provides support for SMART Scholarship applicants. Students interested in learning
more should contact USC’s National Fellowships team.
