Komlan Sogah

When Komlan Sogah was 10 years old, he and his family moved to the United States from the West African country of Togo. More than a decade later, the 21-year-old from Lawrenceville, Georgia, is setting an example for his younger siblings as a student at the University of North Georgia (UNG).

"I'm the first of my family to go to college," said Sogah, who didn't know how he would pay for college. "In my junior year of high school, I realized that college was pretty expensive."

A friend pointed Sogah to the Georgia Army National Guard and its scholarship opportunities. Sogah enlisted and won a University of North Georgia Military Scholarship. He plans to commission as a second lieutenant upon graduation in May 2022.

Sogah, who is pursuing a degree in cybersecurity, plans to uses his computer training and language skills to serve his country. He has developed his computer knowledge as a member of the cyber unit in UNG's Corps of Cadets and a member of the CyberHawks. He is adding French to his resume, which already includes proficiency in English and his native language of Togo.

Sogah talked about his language prowess and computer experience in an essay for the nationally competitive Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The grant program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad and gain skills critical to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness.

"In my essay I showed them my character and who I want to be," Sogah said.

He won the Gilman scholarship in addition to the Ty Cobb Scholarship to fund a study abroad trip.

Sogah credits UNG's faculty and the Corps of Cadets with his success. While faculty members have taught him about cybersecurity and languages, the Corps developed his military and leadership skills. Sogah is a member of the combat shooting team and serves as an executive office for Alpha Company.

"The environment here at UNG challenges me to better myself," he said. "The people and the constant focus on leadership allow me to develop myself and continue pursuing excellence."