Cadet wins AFCEA scholarship

University of North Georgia (UNG) cadet Jaden Davidson won an Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Atlanta chapter's 2022 merit scholarship, which is for $1,500. Davidson, 18, is a sophomore pursuing a degree in cybersecurity.

The scholarship required applicants to have a minimum 2.8 GPA, have completed at least one semester, attend a metro Atlanta or north Georgia area college, and be a U.S. citizen. In addition, Davidson juggled both in-person and online classes, serving as the AFCEA UNG chapter secretary, and assimilating into the Taiwanese culture, where she participated in a cadet exchange program during spring 2022.

"At the time of applying, I knew the 2019-2021 AFCEA merit scholarship winners were these incredibly driven and experienced UNG cadets (Chandler Harris and Desmond Henderson), so I applied with fingers crossed," Davidson said. "When I received the congratulatory email I felt compelled to dig deeper into my major and figure out a way to put AFCEA Atlanta's investment in me to good use."

Davidson credits her success with the scholarship application to her mentor Heath Williams, director of liaison and military operations. She will attend the AFCEA Atlanta's Small Business Symposium to personally thank the selection committee and bring back ideas to enhance UNG's AFCEA Chapter.

The Dallas, Georgia, resident hopes to inspire her peers.

"There are innumerable benefits in finding a way to get involved at UNG," she said. "Even joining just one student organization or interest-based group will lead to a more positive college experience and a support net for when times get hard."

Davidson plans to commission into the Army and branch Cyber Command or Military Intelligence.