Dr. Junior Gentles Memorial Scholarship

My name is Gerald Lewis. I am an African American adult learner, IT professional, and undergraduate student at Syracuse University's School of Professional Studies, where I am pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity Administration. My interest in education is deeply personal: I have spent over a decade working in information technology, and I have come to understand that technical knowledge is only as powerful as your ability to share it. I grew up in Oklahoma City, where I watched technology both empower and exclude people. Communities with resources thrived in the digital age, while others were left behind. That observation planted a seed. When I eventually moved to New York City and built a career in IT administration, I carried that seed with me. I knew from early on that whatever I learned, I would need to find ways to bring others along. My goals for the future are twofold. First, I want to become a certified cybersecurity professional capable of working at the enterprise level, protecting organizations against the growing threats that come with digital transformation. Second, and equally important, I want to teach and mentor. I want to develop curriculum and pathways that connect young Black and brown students to careers in technology. Too many talented students never discover IT because they never see themselves in it. I plan to change that. This scholarship would help me achieve both goals. As an adult student returning to school while managing real-world financial responsibilities, every source of support matters. Completing my degree at Syracuse University will open doors to professional certifications, graduate-level opportunities, and the credibility to stand in front of a classroom and teach with authority. Dr. Junior Gentles represents the kind of legacy I want to build: someone who built a better future even when the path was difficult. I share that spirit. I have already overcome setbacks that would have stopped many people, and I am not done. This scholarship is an investment in someone who plans to pay it forward, many times over, for as long as possible. I have already demonstrated that commitment through my academic performance. After earning an Associate's degree from Finger Lakes Community College with a 4.0 GPA, I transferred to Syracuse University where I continue to prioritize excellence. But grades are only part of the story. What drives me is the belief that every person in my community deserves access to the knowledge and tools that can change their economic trajectory. Cybersecurity and information technology represent some of the highest-growth, highest-paying fields available, and I intend to open that door for people who have too often been told it is not for them.