Colonel Kathleen Swacina Scholarship
Applications open January 1 - May 1, 2026!
The Col. Kathleen Swacina Scholarship was created to honor Col. Kathleen Swacina, USA (Ret.), her distinguished military career, and her long-standing dedication to AFCEA. Funded through the generous support of Col. Kathleen Swacina and Lt. Col. Daniel Swacina, USA (Ret.), this scholarship recognizes one outstanding full-time college student who demonstrates strong potential in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Col. Swacina has been an active and influential member of the AFCEA community throughout her Army career and into retirement, serving in numerous leadership roles at both the chapter and international levels. Her service has been recognized through multiple AFCEA achievement awards.
During her Army career, Col. Swacina served in combat (Field Artillery), combat support (Adjutant General), and combat service support (Logistics) roles. She achieved several historical firsts, including becoming the first female commander of the Army Reserve Personnel Command Headquarters Company, the first female G3/operations officer on the general staff of a major Army command, and the architect of the first MPLS cloud network in the military.
Col. Swacina's personal journey is equally inspiring. Throughout her life she overcame the challenges of dyslexia and ADHD, ultimately earning two master's degrees -- one in computers and information management and another in strategic studies -- along with several professional certifications, including chief information officer and project management.
This scholarship is inspired by her resilience, leadership, and commitment to supporting the next generation. It aims to assist students who demonstrate determination in the face of adversity and seek to excel in STEM fields.
The Col. Kathleen Swacina Scholarship Fund awards one $2,000 scholarship each year to support a student's continuing education at an accredited four-year institution. Students completing their first two-years at a community college are eligible if they plan to transfer to a four-year college or university.
Eligibility
Applicants must meet all the following criteria:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Must meet at least one of the following:
- Currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or enrolled in an ROTC program
- An honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces
- A direct descendant of an AFCEA member or an honorably discharged U.S. service member
- Must be enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university, including community colleges.
- Must maintain a minimum 2.8 overall GPA
- Undergraduate students:
- Must be at a sophomore or junior level
- Community college students must have completed at least one semester
- Graduate students:
- Must have completed a minimum of two courses
- Must not be graduating in the current academic year
- Must be pursuing a STEM-related major that supports the mission of AFCEA.
AFCEA Mission Statement:
AFCEA is an international organization that serves its members by providing a forum for the ethical exchange of information. AFCEA is dedicated to increasing knowledge through the exploration of issues relevant to its members in information technology, communications, and electronics for the defense, homeland security, and intelligence communities.
Application Process
Applications must include the following materials:
- A completed application form
- Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which must be a professor in the student's STEM major field of study
- Recommenders must send their letters in pdf format via email to edfoundation@afcea.org
- Applicants are responsible for coordinating submission with their recommender
- A statement explaining how the applicant meets the qualifying criteria of U.S. armed forces or AFCEA affiliation.
- Official transcript(s) reflecting all college-level coursework, including the Fall 2025 semester
- If coursework in progress is not listed, applicants must submit registration documentation showing current enrollment
- Transcripts must be submitted electronically through the applicant's school to edfoundation@afcea.org
- If electronic submission is not possible, official documents must be mailed to the address below no later than May 1, 2026. Applications must be complete and include all required supporting documentation.