2024 Merit Scholarship Recipients
2024 Donations in Review: Congrats to our Exceptional Recipients!
The NMIF is pleased to announce that this year, with the help from our generous donors, we were able to award $30,500 for the 2024 academic year to 12 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in intelligence and national security-related programs.
​Recipient of the NMIF Lieutenant General James A. Williams Scholarship:​​​​​​​
Caroline Carrothers Aranguren is a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) pursuing an M.A. in International Relations with a specialization in Security, Strategy, and Statecraft. She previously graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in French and Spanish & Portuguese Studies. Before commencing her graduate studies, she was an Executive Office Intern at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, an intern at the U.S. House of Representatives, and she was a Fulbright Scholar in Portugal teaching both English and Spanish at Universidade da Beira Interior.
​Recipient of a Legere Family Scholarship:​​​​​
Khris Gonzalez Pebe is a junior at the University of Southern California pursuing a BSc in Public Policy with a concentration in Data Analytics and an MSc in Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence. She is a Fellow at RFK Human Rights and an Intelligence Analyst Intern at the United States Department of Defense, analyzing Syria’s Captagon trade and Chinese activities in the Middle East and Central Asia, while also serving as Director of Humanitarian Service for Delta Phi Epsilon Foreign Service Society. Previously, she was a Summer Research Fellow at Accountability Counsel, supporting data-driven research to enhance accountability mechanisms for marginalized communities facing human rights abuses. Khris is a recipient of the Obama-Chesky Scholarship for Public Service, and is passionate about illicit trade mapping, international development, and counterterrorism in conflict states in support of U.S. national interests.
​Recipient of a Fecteau Family Scholarship:​​​​
Vincent Furtado is an undergraduate student pursuing a bachelor’s degree in modern Chinese with Focus Global Professionals at the University of North Georgia. In addition to his studies, he is a member of the University of North Georgia’s Corps of Cadets, and The Chinese Language Flagship Program.
​Recipient of a Fecteau Family Scholarship:
Shawn Rostker is a Research Analyst with the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation and a Nuclear Risk Reduction Fellow with the Council on Strategic Risks. His research investigates issues of nuclear strategy, arms control and emerging technologies, with a regional focus on East Asia. Prior to joining the Center, Rostker worked on technology policy and competition at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, as well as nuclear deterrence and the North Korean weapons program during his time at the Center for Political-Military Analysis. He holds a a Master’s in Security Studies from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s in International Relations from the University of California, San Diego where he graduated summa cum laude.
​Recipient of a Fecteau Family Scholarship:
Analyse Hughes is an undergraduate at Norwich University, where she majors in Studies in War & Peace and minors in Information Warfare, Transnational Crime, Chinese, and Intelligence Analysis. In addition to her studies, she is participating in a military exchange program at Fu Hsing Kang College in Taiwan and interning with the SEERIST Research & Collections Team, gaining valuable experience in national security, defense policy, and international diplomacy.
​Recipient of a Fecteau Family Scholarship:
Morgan Kretschmer is a graduate student at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) pursuing an M.A. in International Relations with a specialization in security, statecraft, and strategy in the Middle East. She previously graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in Psychology and Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures, and a minor in Arabic. Morgan is currently working as a Middle East political analysis intern for the Virtual Student Federal Service program and a Research Intern for the NESA center at the National Defense University.
Recipient of the Michaela Robinson Merit Scholarship:
Monique Shum is an undergraduate student at George Mason University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Law, and Society with a concentration in Homeland Security and Justice. Monique is dedicated to utilizing her academic, linguistic, and cultural background to support U.S. national security efforts. Currently, she is fulfilling her first position in the IC as a team lead intelligence analyst intern at CENTCOM.
Recipient of the Colonel Scott St. Cyr Scholarship:
Ella Melcher is an undergraduate student at Mercyhurst University pursuing a B.A. in Intelligence Studies and a minor in Psychology of Crime and Justice and planned minor in Russian language. Ella is a cadet of the Pride of PA Battalion, currently First Sergeant of her company and will assume the rank of a Second Lieutenant at the end of her senior year. She is dedicated to branching into a dual role encompassing military intelligence and aviation. Ella interns at the Center for Intelligence Research Analysis and Training (CIRAT) lab as a Research and Production Intelligence Analyst. She has worked on several projects concerning the monitoring and analysis of foreign countries for any indicators of obstructive impact on the United States. Ella is President of Military and Operational Intelligence Club; Habitat for Humanity Club and she is Vice President of Competitive Intelligence Club. Currently, Ella is working with a CIRAT team to develop a safeguard program to counter insider threats and mitigate physical threats to withhold the security, brand protection and reputation of a corporation.
Recipient of an NMIF Scholarship:
Connor Kelly is a Junior at Mercyhurst University, where he is pursuing a B.A. in Intelligence Studies and a minor in Diplomacy and International Relations and is planning a second minor in Russian. Previously he attended Westmoreland County Community College, while in high school, where he earned his Associate of Arts degree through their dual enrollment program. He is an active member of Mercyhurst University’s CIRAT program and has worked on projects for several companies, think tanks, and government organizations. He is a devout member of the Orthodox Christian Church and an Eagle Scout.
Recipient of an NMIF Scholarship:
Elizabeth Sheridan is a second-year graduate student at the Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service pursuing a Masters of Arts in Security Studies with a specialization in Technology and Security. She previously graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and minor in Russian & Eurasian Studies, as well as certificate in International Relations. Elizabeth currently works as an analyst with the Department of Defense focusing on areas of strategic competition.
Recipient of an NMIF Scholarship:
Emily Henson is a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) pursuing her masters in International Relations. At SAIS, she is focusing her studies on national security and Asia affairs. Emily previously graduated from The Ohio State University earning three concurrent bachelor's degrees in Public Health (B.S.), Public Affairs (B.A.) and Spanish (B.A.). In addition to school, she works full-time as a Consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton and previously worked in Strategic Communications at Northrop Grumman. Finally, Emily was fortunate to intern overseas at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi supporting the State Department economic cone.
Recipient of an NMIF Scholarship:
Sydney Graap is a graduate student at Mercyhurst University pursuing an M.S. in Applied Intelligence and working as a Graduate Assistant for the Community Engagement Department. She previously graduated from the University of South Carolina with a B.A. in International Relations and a double minor in Spanish and Law & Society in December 2022. In addition to her graduate studies, Sydney works as a Student Workforce Trainee at the Department of Justice and as a Global Threat Student Analyst at Pfizer. She also has experience working for the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office, the South Carolina Office of the Governor, and for a former U.S. Congressman.