At the Rural Technology Fund, we believe talent is distributed equally, but opportunity is not. That’s why we invest in rural students who are passionate about technology and ready to pursue careers in computer technology related fields. These awards represent our commitment to strengthening the future of rural communities by supporting the next generation of technology leaders. We’re honored to support our recipients as they begin their journeys and excited to see the impact they’ll make in the years ahead.
The Cyber Security Scholarship, provided through a partnership with the SANS Institute, is awarded to students from rural communities pursuing a computer technology-related field focusing on security. This scholarship provides a $1000 award plus the opportunity to take two SANS training courses and the two corresponding GIAC certification exams. These highly desirable certifications provide a jumpstart towards a cyber security career. This year, we chose four winners: Ishaan Joshy, Anna Maria Godinez Vinduska, Landon Hall, and Tochukwu Ogbuefi.
From North Carolina to Kansas, Oklahoma to Indiana, each recipient has experienced firsthand the unique challenges facing rural America and is motivated to use technology to make a difference:
For Ishaan Joshy of Morganton, North Carolina, cybersecurity became personal after seeing how vulnerable small communities can be when critical systems fail. “A cyberattack in a small town is not abstract,” he explains. “It can shut down a school, delay care at a local clinic, or freeze the systems a county government depends on.”
Ishaan will attend UNC Chapel Hill to study Data Science, with aspirations to build systems that “learn, adapt, and protect people before they ever realize they were at risk.”
Anna Maria Godinez Vinduska of Marion, Kansas, has seen how the rapid shift to digital life can leave many rural residents vulnerable. “Nowadays, the internet is no longer just a tool; it is a necessity,” she writes, noting that many people in rural communities did not grow up with the technology that is now essential for daily life.
Her growing interest in cybersecurity stems from a desire to protect people from online threats, and she hopes to help defend against cyberattacks in her future career. Anna will attend MIT to study Computer Science and Engineering.
For Landon Hall of Madill, Oklahoma, the appeal of cybersecurity lies in understanding both technology and people. Through his research, he discovered that “phishing attacks rely more on psychology than technology,” highlighting how trust, urgency, and fear are often exploited to compromise security.
Landon plans to study Computer Information Systems at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and hopes to become a system administrator or network engineer, helping organizations stay secure and connected in an increasingly digital world.
Tochukwu Ogbuefi of La Porte, Indiana, credits his rural upbringing with teaching him resilience and initiative. “Being in a place with fewer resources showed me how to make the most of what I have and to reach for every opportunity, rather than waiting for something to come to me,” he shares.
Tochukwu will attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to study Information Systems and Analytics, with a long-term goal of leading a cybersecurity team and helping others solve complex challenges.
These students embody the determination, curiosity, and leadership that define rural communities. We are proud to support them as they begin the next chapter of their educational journeys and look forward to seeing the impact they will make in the technology field and beyond!
