2023 Merit Scholarship Recipients
2023 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 $25,000 for the 2023 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:​​​​​​​
Ryan Davey is an undergraduate student at Mercyhurst University pursuing a B.A. in Intelligence Studies and a minor in Political Science. He is a cadet at the Pride of PA Battalion who will assume the rank of a Second Lieutenant at the end of his senior year with plans of branching into a dual role encompassing military intelligence and infantry. Ryan interned at SafeAbroad as an intelligence analyst who enhanced a data-driven framework to evaluate international safety concerns by monitoring worldwide incidents that had the ability to impact American travelers abroad. During his junior year, he proudly founded a new academic club for his university called the Military and Operational Intelligence Club. Ryan is currently an intelligence analyst intern for the NGA who is conducting research and analysis in support of their Tearline Program.
​Recipient of a Fecteau Family Scholarship:​​​​​
Jess Stanfill is a graduate student at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver pursuing a M.A. in International Security with specializations in Military Intelligence and Sub-Saharan Africa. She previously graduated from the University of Richmond with a B.A. in both Journalism and Psychology. Jess is also a ROTC cadet in the Golden Buffalo Battalion and will commission into the U.S. Army upon completion of her graduate degree.
​Recipient of a Fecteau Family Scholarship:​​​​
James Miller is a graduate student at George Washington University pursuing an M.P.S. in Homeland Security. He has a bachelor’s in international security from George Mason University and multiple security industry certifications. James has over 20 years of experience in the security industry and intelligence community experience, as a Marine, a Special Agent for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, and a Senior Security Manager for Amazon. Currently, James is the Assistant Director for Security with Arlington Public Schools and in this role, he leads the safety, security, and emergency management programs for the school district.
​Recipient of a Fecteau Family Scholarship:
Jessica Stutzman is a doctoral student at the American Military University, pursuing a Doctorate of Strategic Intelligence focusing on Open-Source Intelligence. Jessica has a robust background in OSINT, bolstered by previous professional roles in the Intelligence field. She previously earned her Master’s Degree in Arabic Language and Linguistics. She currently works as an OSINT Subject Matter Expert and Consultant.
​Recipient of a Fecteau Family Scholarship:
Elise Hof is an undergraduate student at Liberty University pursuing a BS in Government: National Security Studies with minors in Strategic Intelligence and International Relations. In addition to her studies, she is actively involved in research and analysis teams, including a special projects team supporting the Department of Defense. This summer she served as an intern with the Department of State Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. Upon graduation, she plans to pursue a career in the intelligence community supporting national defense.
Recipient of the Michaela Robinson Merit Scholarship:
Samantha Strom is an analyst for a government contractor in the Defense and Space Manufacturing field. She graduated with honors from Mercyhurst University with degrees in Intelligence Studies and Criminal Justice with a concentration in law enforcement. She has internship experience working with the United States Coast Guard as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Recipient of the Colonel Scott St. Cyr Scholarship:
Miguel Bermeo is an undergraduate senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University studying Global Conflict Studies and Minors in Homeland Security and Intelligence. Miguel is a US Army ROTC Cadet and will commission in December upon graduating and hopes to receive Military intelligence as his branch.
Recipient of an NMIF Scholarship:
Gabriel Lysne is an undergraduate student at Patrick Henry College (PHC) pursuing a B.A. in Strategic Intelligence in National Security. Gabriel has experience working as a research specialist intern for EdgeTheory in addition to leading a team of analysts on a special project doing open-source intelligence research at PHC.
Recipient of an NMIF Scholarship:
Carmella Saia is a graduate student at the George Washington University pursuing an M.A. in Security Policy Studies with a dual concentration in U.S. National Security and Science & Technology. She previously graduated from the George Washington University with a B.A. in Political Science and Peace and Conflict Studies and as a fellow of the Global Bachelor’s Program. Carmella previously interned for Senator Bob Casey’s foreign affairs and national security team on Capitol Hill.
Recipient of an NMIF Scholarship:
Joshua Drabik graduated from Mercyhurst University with honors in May, earning two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Intelligence Analysis and Religious Studies along with a minor in Psychology. Over the years, Joshua has gained experience interning for the US Coast Guard, completing projects for the US State Department and Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, and is now working full-time as an Intelligence Analyst at the Nevada Threat Analysis Center.
Recipient of an NMIF Scholarship:
Ruben Frivold is an undergraduate student pursuing an International Relations: Strategic Intelligence degree with a minor in Chinese at Liberty University. In addition to his studies and service as Vice President of the Alexander Hamilton Society Liberty Chapter, he has varied internship experience, such as in the U.S. House of Representatives and, most recently, as a China Policy Analyst intern with the Bureau of Intelligence and Research. He also contributes to the Forum for Indo-Pacific Research and Analysis, a platform he created to deliver informed analysis on Indo-Pacific and U.S. national security issues.
Recipient of an NMIF Scholarship:
Zaid Osta is an undergraduate student pursuing a Cybersecurity Engineering degree with a minor in Intelligence Studies at George Mason University. He is currently working at the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) and has prior experience as an intern with USAID-funded projects and other organizations in the Middle East and Europe. Zaid is multilingual with native Arabic, conversational Hebrew, and beginner Mandarin Chinese skills, and has gained intercultural exposure from travels to 35 countries. He intends to pursue a master's degree in Digital Forensics with a concentration in Penetration Testing and Reverse Engineering, and aims to apply his professional and academic experiences in support of US national interests.