Mechanical engineering major at the University of Utah, Joseph Melville receives DOD SMART Scholarship for graduate studies. A transfer student from Utah Valley University, Melville has been at the U for two years.

The scholarship is for Science, Mathematics & Research for Transformation (SMART) and is funded by the Department of Defense (DOD), which offers full tuition, a yearly stipend, plus funding for supplies and health insurance. The award includes summer internships and a one-to-one service commitment to work as a civilian for the DOD at a sponsoring facility.

From American Fork, Melville attributes his success to, “a good start at Utah County Academy of Sciences (UCAS) in Orem. It’s an “early college high school” with first rate faculty, and an opportunity to attend classes at UVU,” says Melville.  There he also participated in First Lego League, where he got his first taste in the field of robotics.

Melville adds, “With this scholarship I plan pursue a BS/MS dual degree working with Professor Leang in the Design, Automation, Robotics & Control (DARC) Lab. I am especially thankful to my sponsoring facility (Hill Air Force Base) and for the opportunity to focus on graduate research. To top it off I even have a guaranteed job after graduation!”


The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Utah is committed to providing students with broad-based, rigorous and progressive education. By combining state-of-the-art facilities with renowned faculty, the department provides an education that gives students the necessary skills to become the next generation of innovators.