Scholarships

Andrés Trejo served in the U.S. Navy, graduating from the Defense Language Institute where he led a team of 18 service members through the 64-week Arabic course. He also served as a U.S. Navy cargo team member aboard the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) where he helped manage food and supplies for over 6,000 sailors, including a 2017 operational deployment in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Andrés currently serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Student Veterans Organization at Syracuse University. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Syracuse University in 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and is now a dual Master of Public Administration and Master of Arts in International Relations candidate in Syracuse’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Michaela Rubinfeld was born and raised in New York City. She is of Russian Jewish, Korean and Puerto Rican descent, and has spent half her life traveling between the United States and China. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Foreign Service at Georgetown University with a concentration in Science, Technology and International Affairs. She is married to her supportive and loving husband, Conner, who is a Navy veteran. They have been married for two years and own a French Bulldog named Tank. Michaela is an All-Source Analyst in the United States Air Force Reserves, and has been deployed to the Middle East. She has been in the Air Force Reserves for three years, and plans to continue serving in the future. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in International Studies and Chinese from University at Buffalo in Buffalo, NY in 2017.

During her time at Georgetown, Michaela will concentrate on emerging technology, focusing on ethical applications of blockchain technology in an increasingly digitized society. She is currently serving as a research assistant to Professor Shin’ichiro Matsuo in Georgetown University’s Department of Computer Science working on bringing decentralized internet to fruition. After finishing her studies, she aspires to serve with the State Department to forge strong relations with other countries and ensure a safe future for generations to come.

Command Sergeant Major Andraus L. Williams was appointed as the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Camp Roberts Garrison Training Center in October 2020. In this role, he serves as the principal military advisor on all enlisted matters affecting training, utilization, health of the force, and enlisted professional development.

A native of St. Louis, MO., Command Sergeant Major Williams enlisted in the U.S Army in September 1989, as a Field Artilleryman (13B). He received his Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Ft. Sill, OK. He served five years Active duty prior to joining the California National Guard. He joined the California Army National Guard in May 1995, and completed his reclassification (31B) to the Military Police Corps.

In June 2014, Command Sergeant Major Williams was selected and assumed responsibility as the Command Sergeant Major for the 185th Military Police BN. In January 2016 he assumed responsibility of the 143rd Military Police BN (Detention). In August 2018 he was appointed and assumed responsibility as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 49th Military Police Brigade. His assignments include: Team Leader 670th MP CO, Squad Leader 870th MP CO, Platoon Sergeant 870th MP CO, Operations NCO 330th MP CO, First Sergeant 330th MP CO, Command Sergeant Major 185th MP BN, and Command Sergeant Major 143rd MP BN (Detention).

CSM Williams combat, and state side tours of duty include Operation Uphold Democracy, Operation Noble Eagle, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Hurricane Katrina, Operation Jump Start (Border Mission), Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan). As well as multiple wildfires and floods in support of FEMA Region IX Homeland Response Force (HRF) and Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) throughout the United States.

Command Sergeant Major Williams awards include: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Air Force Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (With Numeral 5), Humanitarian Service Medal, Louisiana Emergency Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge and Air Assault badge. He is a recipient of the Order of Marechaussee Award. This award is one of the highest honors bestowed upon a military policeman in the Military Police Regimental Association. It is named after the Marechaussee Corps, formed in 1778 at Valley Forge by Gen. George Washington to police the Army and secure fugitives.

Command Sergeant Major Williams military and civilian education includes all levels of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System, Battle Staff Course, First Sergeant Course, Command Sergeant Major Pre-Command Course, Joint Professional Senior Enlisted course, Jungle Warfare Training Course (JOTC), and Emerging Leadership Development Program. He is a graduate of class 41 (Non-Resident) U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. CSM Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice (Magna Cum Laude) from Arizona State University and a master’s in leadership and Community Engagement from The University of Texas at El Paso. He is currently pursing his Doctorate degree in Organizational Change and Leadership at University of Southern California (USC) (2024).

CSM Williams is a member of the Alpha Phi Sigma Criminal Justice Honor Society (Arizona State University Chapter), Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity (Upsilon Eta chapter), and the President of the Military Police Regiment Association (MPRA).

Major Williams volunteers his time as a Veterans Treatment Court (VTC) Mentor with Swords to Plowshares. He also volunteers his time as a mentor with minority college students interested in Law enforcement with the “Ask Jarrett” nonprofit organization.

Ryan Lamson joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2007 as an infantry rifleman where he served with 2/1 F during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He went on to serve as an embassy guard, infantry squad leader, and family readiness administrative assistant for the USMC, as well as a cleared American guard for Coastal International Security. A 2021 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship finalist, Lamson is the recipient of multiple awards from the U.S. Department of State, United States Marine Corps, and St. Edward’s University. “I am thankful to be a recipient of a SoldierScholar scholarship and the opportunity to continue my passion for public service and international affairs. This scholarship adds to the opportunities I have at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs to hone the leadership and management skills I first learned in the service,” Lamson said.

Jessica Evans served in the U.S. Navy as a sonar technician while stationed in Hawaii and around the world. In part due to financial considerations, Evans did not go to college directly after high school and instead was inspired to join the military branch in which both of her grandfathers served. She sees her service as a way to honor their legacy. After finishing her bachelor’s degree in engineering, Evans plans to pursue her master’s degree. “Growing up I never dreamed about going to college let alone going as far as pursuing my master’s degree. So, to have this opportunity to reach for my dreams is really special,” Evans said.

Kala Hagen was born and raised in Pensacola, Florida and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Foreign Service at Georgetown University. She has been happily married to her husband, Alex, for just over four years and together they have two adorable dogs and two cuddly cats. Before starting her graduate education, she served as Cryptologic Language Analyst specializing in Arabic and Somali. Her military career spanned nine years from 2011 to 2020. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Florida in 2019, attending classes online while she was active duty.

While in the Navy, Kala was stationed at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, Fort Gordon, Georgia, the Defense Language Institute – Washington, and Fort Meade, Maryland. She also had the good fortune to be selected for several language immersion programs, including spending a month in Rabat, Morocco and attending Middlebury College’s Summer Language Program in Oakland, California.

During her time at Georgetown, Kala will concentrate on international development in the Middle East and Africa and takes a specific interest in reducing the factors that contribute extremism and terrorism. After finishing her studies, she aspires to serve with the State Department or USAID to make the world a safer and more just place.