2024 INSF Scholarship Recipients
The Intelligence and National Security Foundation (INSF), the charitable arm of the Intelligence and National Security Alliance, proudly announces the recipients of its 2024 undergraduate and master's scholarship program. This year, the Foundation awarded eight scholarships totaling $60,000.
INSF is also excited to launch the inaugural LtGen Vincent R. Stewart Pathways Initiative, a new program aimed at helping students from underrepresented communities navigate the diverse career opportunities within the intelligence and national security communities. Drawing from the top candidates for the Tish Long and Vince Stewart awards, this initiative will provide a small group of students with executive mentoring, career-enhancing networking opportunities, and broad exposure to defense, intelligence and national security careers.
"We are incredibly proud to have received a record number of submissions this year, each showcasing the remarkable quality and passion of students eager to serve the national security mission," said INSA/INSF President Suzanne Wilson Heckenberg. "The
talent and dedication demonstrated by our recipients is a testament to the bright future of the IC. These scholarships and the launch of the Lt. Gen. Vincent R. Stewart Pathways Initiative, further solidify our commitment to nurturing and supporting
the next generation of intelligence professionals."
Meet our 2024 Award Recipients!
Investing in the Future of the IC Workforce - Undergraduate
Lena Ayesh
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Submission Summary: Lena Ayesh, a junior majoring in Intelligence Analysis at UNC Charlotte, has successfully blended technical expertise with a strong passion for policy.Through internships at the Dept of State’s Bureau of Intelligence & Research and ODNI, Lena has honed skills in intelligence analysis, data science, and international relations. Her experience spans leading research on AI's impact on intelligence collection to participating in an ODNI-sponsored study abroad program focused on the history of intelligence during WWII.
As she continues her journey with an internship at CENTCOM and trip to India as a recipient of the Department of State's Critical Language Scholarship, Lena is well-positioned to make meaningful contributions to the evolving national security landscape.
Investing in the Future of the IC Workforce - Master's
Desmond Egyin
Texas A&M Bush School of Government & Public Service
Submission Summary: Desmond Egyin is in the final year of a master’s program in National Security and Intelligence at the Texas A&M Bush School of Government and Public Service. His advanced coursework, which focuses heavily on analytic techniques and intelligence gathering, has honed his ability to assess global threats and support national security objectives.
Desmond's internship with the Wilson Center Africa Program allowed him to conduct in-depth research on U.S.-Africa relations, great power competition, and efforts to combat extremism in the Sahel region, further refining his analytical skills and deepening his understanding of global affairs. Driven by a strong commitment to serving his country, Desmond is dedicated to building a career in the U.S. Intelligence Community, where he can apply his expertise to contribute to a more peaceful and inclusive world.
Emerson Johnston
Stanford University
Submission Summary: Emerson Johnston, an Army Reservist and master’s student at Stanford University, is deeply committed to the U.S. national security mission. Her academic journey, highlighted by her summa cum laude degree from Northeastern University and her ongoing studies in International Cyber Policy and Security, reflects her interest in the intersection of technology and policy.
During internships at the United Nations, the Department of State’s Bureau of Europe and Eurasian Affairs, and the DIA, Emerson honed critical skills in all-source intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, and international diplomacy. At the NCTC, she gained valuable experience in network data analysis and supported cyber operations, further enhancing her ability to address complex national security challenges. These diverse experiences have equipped Emerson with a comprehensive skillset that she is eager to apply to strengthen the U.S. national security.
Endowed Undergraduate Awards
Emma Bohse
Letitia A. Long Intelligence Scholarship
Pennsylvania State University
Submission Summary: Emma Bohse, a senior at Penn State University's Eberly College of Science, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science. Her internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory deepened her appreciation for the power of mathematics, expanded her knowledge and skills, and boosted her confidence to tackle any challenges that come her way.
Emma aspires to find a career that not only challenges her to apply her STEM expertise but also allows her to help others and contribute positively to her country. "I want to be a part of something bigger than myself and I know that my determination to grow, combined with my passion to serve, has prepared me for a rewarding career in the intelligence community."
Andrew Weaver
The Governor Tom Ridge Scholarship
Columbia University
Submission summary: Andrew Weaver, a junior at Columbia University, is majoring in international affairs with a perfect 4.0 GPA. His passion for public service was ignited when he earned his Eagle Scout Award and worked for two members of Congress.
Through internships at the Department of State, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and the Foreign Policy Research Institute, Andrew honed his OSINT research and analysis skills, further solidifying his desire to become an analyst specializing in Chinese elite politics and security policy withing the IC.
Andrew is now completing an intelligence analysis internship at INDOPACOM with the Defense Intelligence Agency, where he is learning structured analytic techniques from experienced IC professionals. "With your financial assistance, I can continue to pursue academic and professional opportunities like this one, to prepare for a meaningful career in the IC."
Alexis White
LtGen Vincent R. Stewart, USMC - Intelligence Career Pathways Scholarship
Louisiana State University
Submission summary: Alexis White, a senior at Louisiana State University, is the inaugural recipient of the LtGen Vincent R. Stewart, USMC - Endowed Intelligence Career Pathways Scholarship. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in International Studies with a concentration in Global Diplomacy and a Minor in French and Political Science. Alexis participated in the Summer Institute for the Gifted at Yale University, where a clandestine operations course sparked her interest to serve in the IC and contributing to the analysis and detection of external threats.
She has also studied at the Sciences Po Strasbourg in France, participated in the Model UN Convention, and represented the Republic of Albania in the Disarmament and InternationalSecurity Community. Alexis is eager to apply her language skills and international relations background to serve and strengthen the U.S. national security mission.
Reinventing Geospatial Inc. (RGi) Scholarship
Taryn Ingalls
University of Michigan
Submission Summary: Taryn Ingalls, a senior at the University of Michigan's Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, is pursuing a degree in public policy with a concentration in Foreign Policy and Counterterrorism. Her passion for public service is evidenced by her commitment of over 500 hours to community service. Taryn has also contributed her talents as a staff writer for the Michigan Journal of International Affairs and the Michigan Intelligence and Security Review.
Her journey has been marked by resilience and leadership. Reflecting on her academic experience, Taryn shared, “Once I realized that my neurodivergence wasn’t something broken that needed to be fixed, I was able to reshape how I study, learn, and communicate.” This new approach honed her skills in pattern recognition and critical thinking.
She is drawn to a career in national security because it allows her to explore the interconnectedness of security, economics, psychology, and immigration.
LtGen Vincent R. Stewart Pathways Initiative
The following students have been selected to participate in the inaugural Pathways program:
- Eloy Beaucejour, Florida International University
- Emma Bohse, Pennsylvania State University
- Jordan Dean-Reynoso, California State University, San Bernardino
- Khris Gonzalez Pebe, University of Southern California
- Imran H., Virginia Tech
- Alexis White, Louisiana State University
The INSF Board of Trustees extends its deepest gratitude to the selection committee members who reviewed the many applications this year. "With such a high caliber of applicants, the selection process was both challenging and inspiring," said Ms. Wilson Heckenberg. "We are immensely thankful to the organizations and individuals who support the Foundation's scholarship program."
