IEEE Computer Society Names 2026 Career Catalyst Scholarship Recipients

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., 21 August 2026 – The IEEE Computer Society (CS) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2026 Career Catalyst Scholarship. A panel of industry judges decided the winners based on a combination of academic performance; technical skills and experience; leadership and extracurriculars; statement of purpose; industry readiness and professionalism; and letters of recommendation.

The following 15 individuals are this year’s 2026 Career Catalyst Scholarship recipients:

• Akhilesh Kasturi, Northeastern University (LinkedIn)
• Minh Tam Pham, Bergen Community College (LinkedIn)
• Randima Bellana, The Johns Hopkins University (LinkedIn)
• Joshua Ethan Shapo, The George Washington University (LinkedIn)
• Ogheneobukome Ejaife, Alabama A&M University (LinkedIn)
• Aneela Agha, University of Maryland Global Campus-UMGC (LinkedIn)
• Adil Zaben, Florida Gulf Coast University (LinkedIn)
• Angelika Szymanowska, Southern Illinois University (LinkedIn)
• Oma Nlerum, Illinois State university (LinkedIn)
• Shreejal Bhattarai, Texas State University (LinkedIn)
• Jeremiah Young, Oklahoma State University (LinkedIn)
• Rishika Vats, Texas Tech University (LinkedIn)
• Cameryn Mugol, University of California San Diego (LinkedIn)
• Skanda Mandya Kumar, California State University, Fullerton (LinkedIn)
• Hayden Hargreaves, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (LinkedIn)

Entering its second year in 2026, the IEEE Computer Society (IEEE CS) Career Catalyst Scholarship Program continues to bridge the gap between academic learning and industry employability. Driven by an expanded effort to engage and encourage students and young professionals, the program equips emerging scholars with the real-world skills, active mentorship, and professional networks needed to transition into impactful computing careers.

Running from June through December, the program provides participants with up to US$2,500 in qualified tuition and educational expenses while uniting them with a global community dedicated to promoting excellence and progress across the field.

A recipient of the 2025 Career Catalyst scholarship, Lavneet Hora of Texas Tech University, had this to say about the program: “Receiving the IEEE Computer Society Career Catalyst Scholarship was an incredibly meaningful experience for me. Beyond the financial support, the program gave me the opportunity to connect with other scholars and engage with industry leaders through monthly mentorship meetings, where I learned a tremendous amount. Two of the most memorable experiences were attending IEEE Quantum Week in Albuquerque and visiting Qualcomm’s headquarters in San Diego, where I presented my football field goal analysis project. Experiences like these helped me see how academic ideas translate into real-world engineering and innovation. I strongly recommend the program to students who want to grow technically and professionally while joining a supportive and inspiring community.”

Building on its successful launch, the program’s second year offers scholars enhanced avenues to engage with industry experts. Program highlights include immersive facility tours; fireside chat sessions with technical leaders and corporate executives; interactive discussions on innovation strategy, career development, and modern hiring priorities; and team-based problem-solving challenges designed to turn academic theory into practical, real-world solutions.

Qualcomm continues to support the scholarship as it did in its inaugural year. One of the activities the 2026 Career Catalyst scholarship winners will participate in is an expenses-covered trip to the Qualcomm HQ in San Diego, CA.

The 2026 IEEE CS Career Catalyst Scholarship judges included: Kalyana Krishna Kondapalli, Prateek Kumar Shaw, Cibaca Khandelwal, Vigneshwaran Jagadeesan Pugazhent, Pranav Bhasker, Harshit Kohli, Seema Gangaiah Aarella, Uttam Kumar, Daniel Raj Jeevaguntala, Suhasan Chintadripet Dillibatcha, Shib Shankar Golder, Madhuri Latha Gondi. Muzeeb Mohammad, Dileep Rai, Biswaranjan Senapati, Srinivas Chippagiri, Milan Parikh, Rajesh Kesavalalji, Manjeera Chanda, Rohan Pasalkar, Harsha Bojja, Mahesh Mole, Amit Singh, Bhanu Prakash Reddy Rella, Dr Tejesh Reddy Singasani, Suryaprakash Nalluri, Siddhesh Shirodker, Shailendra Suryawanshi, Karan Gohil, Abhijeet Rajwade, Nikhil Makhija, Chetan Arvind Patil, Adithya Reddy Nallabolu, Syed Danish Ali, Praveen Gupta, Rupesh Shirke, Ikram Ahamed Mohamed, Sachin Telalwar, Shrinath Thube, Biswaranjan Senapati, Bhubalan Mani, Abhishek Vyas, Amey Ambade, Abhishek Gupta, Sahil Yadav, Binoj Melath Nalinakshan Nair, Sakthi Muthuswamy, Adithya Reddy Nallabolu and Sanju Mannumadam Venugopal.

For more information on the Career Catalyst Scholarship or to join the IEEE CS Career Catalyst Scholarship Planning Committee or become an industry partner, visit the scholarship page.

About IEEE Computer Society

As the premiere and most long-standing professional organization in its field, the IEEE Computer Society (CS) unites computer engineers, researchers, academics, and industry experts across every discipline and level of computing. IEEE CS establishes benchmarks for education and engagement that drive ongoing technological breakthroughs worldwide. By hosting conferences, issuing publications, and creating initiatives that foster meaningful dialogue and partnership, IEEE CS shapes the future for its 375,000+ members and the broader tech sector—opening new avenues to positively impact society. To learn more, visit computer.org.