Meet the fall 2023 MIT Scholars
October 6, 2023
Starting in fall 2022, the Master of Information Technology program at Virginia Tech began awarding scholarships to students whose enrollment contributes to the diversity of the MIT program and the field of information technology.
The MIT Scholars scholarship is designed to aid student populations and enrich the MIT program with a broader variety of perspectives and unique backgrounds.
The scholarship awards each recipient an average of $2000 per spring or fall term as long as they continue to meet enrollment requirements in the Master of Information Technology program.
A top program for veterans
MIT Scholar Cristal Arnaldi-Trinidad is currently stationed in San Antonio, Texas, as a cyber officer in the United States Air Force. She learned about the MIT program from her coworkers and was immediately impressed by its ranking as the #1 MIT program for veterans.
Ariel Sanchez, another MIT Scholar with military ties, currently serves as a client systems technician in the United States Air Force Reserves. He decided to pursue a master's degree in IT from Virginia Tech to continue building his strong foundation in Information Technology and the dynamic field of cybersecurity.
In addition to its top ranking for veterans, VT-MIT is also ranked the #3 Best Online MIT Program in the nation by US News & World Report.
A clear choice for recent grads
MIT Scholar Brian Anthony Beasley graduated from Capella University in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in information technology and decided to go to graduate school right away. He is a professional software developer based in the New York City area and plans to change the world through technology. VT-MIT will help him do just that.
After earning an undergraduate degree in international relations from Virginia Tech in 2021, MIT Scholar Lula Phicadu decided to join the VT-MIT program. She aspires to grow in a career that combines her passions for international relations, business, and technology.
The VT-MIT curriculum takes an interdisciplinary approach to information technology, with courses stemming from both Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business and College of Engineering and spanning a variety of topics — from business data analytics to AI/ML, cybersecurity, and more.
A strategic career step
The MIT program helps students develop specialized skills and tailor their experience to support their unique career goals.
Fareeha Haidari, a civil engineer and 2023 MIT Scholar, is pursuing an MIT degree to further her goal of crafting innovative technology applications tailored for the construction sector. She came to the United States from Afghanistan in late 2014 and earned a degree in civil engineering from George Mason University in 2020.
Jane Cayetano recently completed the Evening MBA program at Virginia Tech and is now pursuing an MIT degree as part of a MBA/MIT dual degree option to further hone her skills and advance her finance career.
Regardless of your unique career trajectory, the VT-MIT program can help you gain the skills you need to become a leader.
A flexible option that works with your schedule
The VT-MIT program is a great option for professionals looking to enhance their education while also focusing on career and family responsibilities.
MIT scholar Parisa Dini is an Iranian refugee who studied software engineering in Tehran, started her career, and became a full-time caregiver for her son. In 2016, she arrived in the United States and has worked hard to resume her IT career. The flexible, online VT-MIT program will allow her to earn an advanced degree while maintaining a full-time job to support her family.
Reeba Khan is another parent who appreciates the flexibility of the VT-MIT program and the support of the MIT Scholars award. She earned her bachelor’s in computer science from Virginia Tech in 2020 and proudly chose VT again for her graduate degree. Despite being a new parent, she feels there is no wrong time to start your education journey.
Continue your educational journey with Virginia Tech
We are excited to follow these eight MIT Scholars as they continue through the VT-MIT program. If you want to grow your IT knowledge, advance your career, and build a powerful network of peers, faculty, alumni, and industry partners, please attend an online information session.