Academic Honors and Awards
The SANS Technology Institute recognizes and honors students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and leadership potential in cybersecurity.
Honors and Awards
Honors
The Honors list is assessed and published twice a year based on cumulative academic performance with a certificate program. Academic Honors are granted to our undergraduate and graduate certificate students who have earned at least a 3.75 GPA upon program completion.
Dean's List
Our Dean's List acknowledges bachelor's and master's students who have earned at least a 3.75 GPA as well at least 12 credits (bachelor's students) or 6 credits (master's students) during the previous semester cycle.
Assante Scholar Award
Named in honor of Industrial Control Systems (ISC) cybersecurity pioneer Mike Assante, the Assante Scholar Award is presented annually to outstanding students in SANS.edu programs with an ICS focus.
RSAC Security Scholars
The RSAC Security Scholars program connects hand-selected, high-achieving cybersecurity students with leading experts and peers at the annual RSAC Conference, one of the world’s largest cybersecurity events.
Paller Scholars
Through the Paller Cybersecurity Scholarship, outstanding international students receive full access to the SANS Technology Institute’s hands-on cybersecurity education, preparing them to defend organizations and communities around the world.
Assante Scholar Award Winners
- 2024 winners: Ryan McAndrews, Jeremy Silverstein, and Christopher Watkins
- 2023 winners: Ryan Van Den Heuvel and Jonathan Wismer
- 2022 winners: Dan Behrens, Brock Perry, and James Turner
- 2021 winners: Randy Baldwin and Anthony Karels
- 2020 winners: Kristy Cappelli, Craig Raslawski, and Rhianna Zuby
RSAC Security Scholars
- 2026 winner: Daniel Bak
- 2025 winner: Christina Westfall
- 2024 winner: Melissa Bischoping
- 2023 winner: Will Green
Paller Scholars
- 2026 Paller Scholars: Salah Dean Abduldaim (Kenya), Andres Castro Gonzalez (Costa Rica), Godana Godana (Kenya), Sewar Khalifeh (Germany), Rain Loyola (Philippines), Andi Molnár (Hungary), Zeshan Ahmed Nobin (Bangladesh), Chinaza Obidike (Nigeria), Tomi Olaiya (Canada), Gautham Prasath (India), Andrea Prieto Romero (Costa Rica), Stanislav Stoychev (Bulgaria), Julia Zdunczyk (Poland)
- 2025 Paller Scholars: Reanna Renee Barrow (India), Eyobed Getu Bogale (Ethiopia), Stephen Sena Yao Cudjoe-Seshie (Ghana), Bogdan Radu Andrei Guran (Romania), William Ojotule Idakwo (Nigeria), Adrian Isinta (Kenya), Joy Jesubi (Nigeria), Amer Khusheish (Lebanon), Hong Liang Lee (Malaysia), Mohamed Louhaichi (Tunisia), Maja Maria Makowiak (Poland), Eric Odwar (Uganda), Adekunle Ogunkoyode (Nigeria), Faith Oluchi Ohamuche (Nigeria), Pralaya Panta (Nepal), Mishal Thomas Sabu (India), Julian Tatah Eyong (Cameroon), Arman Tynyshtykbayev (Kazakhstan), Piotr Aleksander Wosiak (Poland)
- 2024 Paller Scholars: Catalin Bejan (Romania), Akin Bello (Nigeria), Michał Bełzak (Poland), Ana Maria Bogdan (Romania), Vivian Boisabi (Kenya), Mark Lester Dampios (Philippines), Ruta Punka (Latvia), Elena Revzina (Latvia)