Simulation scholarship winners to be recognized at national conference

Photo: Maya Santiago (left) and Darrin Robinson were awarded the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) Barbara McDaniel Undergraduate Scholarship. Each recieved $5,000 for continuing their studies in the modeling and simulation field.

No crystal ball necessary! These Seminole State College of Florida students are harnessing computers to map and predict what comes next. Students Maya Santiago and Darrin Robinson were selected for the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation and Education Conference (I/ITSEC) Barbara McDaniel Undergraduate Scholarship. Funded by the National Training and Simulation Association (NTSA), the scholarship was created to support students who are pursuing modeling and simulation degrees, which are vital to the IT industry and beyond.

Santiago and Robinson, who each received $5,000 scholarships, will be recognized during the national virtual conference of I/ITSEC, billed as the world’s largest modeling, simulation and training event, from Nov. 30 to Dec. 4. Both students carry a 4.0 GPA and plan to complete a bachelor’s degree before pursuing a career in the modeling, simulation and training field.

"I am ecstatic that I am one of the recipients of the scholarship from the National Training and Simulation Association,” said Robinson. “This scholarship allows me the opportunity to pursue a specialization in the area of computer modeling and simulation. It also financially assists me with the completion of my degree in information systems technology. I have worked for years to complete my degree, and this NTSA scholarship is certainly going to help me achieve that goal. I am excited about the new opportunities in computer simulation as computing continues to change the world."

In fact, simulation is a field that intersects with a wide array of industries and professions. From training new employees, to predicting the weather, to testing pharmaceuticals, the role of simulation has been growing. Beyond just furthering technological advancement, those with high-level computer skills have a chance to further other fields including education, healthcare and business.

“The scholarship will help me immensely in my studies!” said Santiago. “It will allow me to focus on my education, achieve my educational and career goals, and help me complete my bachelor’s degree in information systems technology with a specialization in programming. The scholarship is a huge blessing in my life, and I thank the NTSA for their generosity. I am honored to be one of the recipients of their scholarship, and I will work hard to make them proud!”

The Programming Specialization within Seminole State’s Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems Technology (B.S.I.S.T.) includes focused courses in simulation. These courses build upon the skills learned in the College’s Associate in Science (A.S.) degree in Computer Programming and Analysis Simulation Specialization. Students who earn the B.S.I.S.T. with the simulation focus will be prepared to enter the workforce or seek advanced training in select master’s degree programs. To learn more, visit the computer modeling and simulation webpage.