Trusted CI, the NSF Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 Trusted CI Scholars

Simon Araneda

Computational Science student at the University of South Carolina Beaufort

My name is Simon Araneda, and I’m a Computational Science student at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. Before returning to school, I spent 10 years in the military, where I developed a strong foundation in discipline, leadership, and problem-solving. That experience ultimately led me to pursue a career in technology and cybersecurity.

As a husband and father of two boys, much of what I do is driven by a desire to grow and set a strong example for my family. Outside of school, I enjoy playing golf, which has taught me patience, focus, and the value of continuous improvement. These are qualities I carry into both my academic work and professional goals.

Bennie Ferguson, III

Senior at Grambling State University

Bennie Ferguson is pursuing double majors in Computer Science and Cybersecurity. Hailing from Homer, Louisiana, he currently serves as a System Administrator Intern at Murphy USA, where he specializes in vulnerability remediation and enterprise IT operations. Additionally, Ferguson has contributed to cybersecurity research, co-authoring a fraud detection system published on IEEE Xplore. This system employs machine learning and object recognition to enhance the security of kiosks. Recently, Ferguson was accepted into the 2026 NBA HBCU Fellowship Program. He is passionate about advancing in cybersecurity, particularly in the areas of risk, governance, and security leadership. His ultimate aspiration is to become a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

Nolan Koch

Senior at Slippery Rock University

Nolan Koch is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Secure Software Development. He currently serves as the Vice President of the SRU Cybersecurity Club and works on cyber intelligence products and development at Qintel. His academic and professional interests focus on cybersecurity operations, vulnerability management, and artificial intelligence.

Waratchaya “June” Luangphairin

CyberCorps Scholarship for Service recipient in the accelerated B.S./M.S. Electrical Engineering program at the University of South Florida.

Watatchaya has a hands-on background in hardware, prototyping, and automation. She has experience in soldering, CAD, 3D printing, and machine operation. She is especially interested in hardware security, with a focus on securing the hardware behind critical systems. At Cyber Florida, she writes threat advisories and informational reports that support cybersecurity awareness. She is also involved in technology commercialization through the USF Student Innovation Incubator. She hopes to build a career in hardware security at the intersection of cybersecurity and critical systems.

Jessica Wooley

Sophomore at Howard University, Atlanta, GA.

Jessica Wooley a rising sophomore studying Computer Science with a concentration in Cybersecurity at the illustrious Howard University from Atlanta, GA. I aspire to work in the field of cybersecurity with an interest in ethical hacking, security engineering, and patent law with a concentration in cybersecurity.