A Series of Smart Moves Led UMUC Student to Receive Lucrative First NSA Scholarship

Edacheril Paul (“E. P.”) Mathew

By Andrea Martino

When Edacheril Paul (“E. P.”) Mathew completed his bachelor’s degree in biological science at University of Maryland, College Park, in 1995, he assumed his career would be in medicine. Mathew had no idea he would be the first UMUC student to be awarded a National Security Agency scholarship in information assurance, valued at approximately $27,000, including tuition, books, fees, a $15,000 stipend, and full-time employment at the Defense Intelligence Agency on completion of his degree.

“I pursued biology at first because I had an interest in medicine,” said Mathew. “But in 1997 the computer field was booming and I saw information technology as the future. After working in telecommunications at Science Application International Corporation for a couple of years, I was sure I made the right choice.”

Mathew was born and raised in Kuwait, where his parents emigrated from Kerala, India, in 1970. He came to the United States in 1985 with his parents and sister, he said, to pursue the American dream.

“My dad has eight brothers and sisters, and most of the family had moved to the United States,” said Mathew. “For us, America was a better place and provides opportunities you just don’t find anywhere else.

“When I began at UMUC I pursued telecommunications,” said Mathew, “but I transferred to information assurance when the program began because, after September 11, I believed there would be tremendous growth in that field.”

Now a full-time student in the information assurance track of UMUC's Master of Science in computer systems management program, Mathew knows he made the right decision.

“I’m where I want to be. But I’m not saying I won’t pursue a particular expertise in information assurance when UMUC offers it,” he said, laughing. “Right now, I’m very excited to be awarded the grant because I never expected it, and the opportunity it affords me is invaluable.”

Mathew lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife, Reena, and their three-year-old son, Andrew Paul.