The chapter kicked off the August luncheon with an awards ceremony for its 2024 Undergraduate Scholarship Program recipients.
The chapter awarded merit-based scholarships to outstanding students from the Southside Hampton Roads area (cities of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach). These scholarships support students pursuing an associate's or bachelor's degree in one of the STEM disciplines.
These majors will prepare the student for a professional career that supports AFCEA's focus on military communications, cybersecurity, electronics, information technology, data and intelligence systems.
Congratulations to all scholarship recipients! Aamir R., George Mason University; Anthony U, Old Dominion University; David S., Princeton University; Eleanor W., William & Mary; Frederic W., University of Virginia; Gabriel M., Tuskegee University; Grayson B., Virginia Tech; Joshua S., Virginia Tech; Margaret C., Virginia Tech; Robert T., Old Dominion University; Timothy B., Virginia Tech; William W., University of Virginia; Cannon R., Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Faith P., Virginia Tech; Jada C., Old Dominion University; Jade H., Old Dominion University; Jason P, Christopher Newport University; Kayrene W., Old Dominion University; Kyle K., Old Dominion University; Samuel K., Purdue University; and Zach N., Pennsylvania State University.
Following the awards ceremony, the chapter welcomed long-time AFCEA supporter and Suffolk leader Jenniffer Minks. Minks serves as the assistant deputy director for Deputy Director South, Command, Control, Communications and Computers/Cyber Integration (C5I), supporting seven divisions and the deputy director. In this role, she exercises coordinating and directive authority on behalf of the deputy director for developing, implementing and managing the execution of policy, direction, plans, standards and instructions. Minks discussed the importance of command and control (C2) in getting data from the right sensor to the right platform. She incorporated a deep dive into what C2 of data means-deploying all domains to ensure data is both automated and secure. She continued her discussion focusing on data, stating that it is "all about the data" and the "world is data-centric." It is vital to secure data on all networks.
Minks continued the discussion by emphasizing the importance of globally integrated operations. She discussed an ongoing effort the Joint Staff is working on: Project Olympus. This project incorporates many facets but focuses on integrating command, control, communications and computers/cyber (C4) capabilities, data, workflows, shortening the kill chain and integrating mission partners worldwide. Minks continued her speech on multiple partner nations, incorporating data-centric security, identity, credentials, access management and zero trust-the focus on logistics, C2 and the global common operating picture. Minks delivered a highly engaging speech, fielding questions from the audience. She also connected with the chapter's scholarship awardees and their families who attended the luncheon after the awards ceremony. She engaged questions surrounding the emphasis on university internships and partnering with academia for data science and cyber curriculum.
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