Joshua Jang knows how to navigate uncharted waters — literally.
The 25-year-old U.S. Navy veteran spent three years exploring the Pacific, with stops in Guam, Singapore, Thailand, and a station in Hawaii. But this summer, the Montgomery County Community College Class of 2026 graduate is embarking on a different kind of voyage: a prestigious paid research program at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
Jang, who earned his Associate of Arts in Mathematics from MCCC, was selected for UMass Dartmouth’s Advanced Disciplinary Materials for Maritime Research for Maritime Application Program — a competitive, 10-week summer experience running May 31 through Aug. 8. He’s one of just 10 community college students nationwide chosen for the program. Fellow MCCC student Rachel Myhre, an Engineering Science (Electrical, A.S.) major, was also accepted.
What the Program Involves
The research experience focuses on advanced materials and their role in improving the structural reliability, environmental performance, and long-term viability of ships and maritime infrastructure. Students work alongside faculty mentors from Bioengineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering, and participate in weekly research seminars, professional development sessions, and technical presentations. Room and board are included.
Jang’s specific project sits at the intersection of chemistry and materials science — two fields he’d never deeply explored before.
“I’m working under a Chemistry professor at UMass. It’s about materials, their color, and how they change within different environments,” he said. “I know very little about chemistry, and I’m looking forward to branching out.”
That intellectual curiosity — and willingness to step outside his comfort zone — is exactly what makes him such a strong fit for the program.
Finding His Footing at Montco
After honorably separating from the Navy in 2024 as an E5 Petty Officer Second Class, Jang enrolled at MCCC in the fall of that year. The transition from military to civilian life wasn’t instant.
“It’s very common for veterans to leave the military and feel like you’ve joined a different world,” he said. “There’s less structure, and the culture is different.”
But Montco met him where he was. He connected with the Veterans Resource Center — which supports student vets with GI Bill benefits, academic coaching, tutoring, and community — and found his stride from there. He landed a student worker position with IT Support Services, joined the STEM Club, became a peer tutor in Computer Science and Physics, and competed in the Automation and Innovation Challenge presented by Merck & Co.
He also pursued an independent study in Observational and Radio Astronomy with Physics Associate Professor Kelli Corrado, building horn radio telescopes and assisting with community Observatory nights on the Blue Bell Campus.
It was through the STEM Club — and its Advisor, Math Assistant Professor Scott Vaughen — that Jang first learned about the UMass opportunity.
“Professor Vaughen inspired me to become a math major,” Jang said, who was also awarded the Walter R. Hunter Math Scholarship. “I am so thankful to Montco for this scholarship, as it relieves some of the financial burden that comes from being a commuter student.”
Why Interdisciplinary Thinking Matters Now
For Jang, the UMass program isn’t just a research opportunity — it’s a proof of concept for how he thinks about learning itself.
“In this century, with AI and the internet, I think it’s really important for interdisciplinary work,” he said. “It’s not enough to be an expert in one field anymore because AI is like an expert in every field. Humans need to connect. You need to be well-rounded.”
It’s a philosophy that Montco helped him develop by exposing him to Astronomy, Robotics, Computer Science, and Mathematics all under one roof, and by surrounding him with students whose paths looked nothing like his own.
“I was surprised by the wide range of ages of students here,” he reflected. “I didn’t have a traditional path. I could learn from an 18 or 19-year-old student who had a traditional path and from older students who had a non-traditional path. Everyone had a wide variety of experiences — working alongside them was kind of like being back in the military. Everyone brought something interesting and new perspectives to the table.”
After the summer program, Jang is eyeing transfer to a four-year institution to pursue Data Science or Applied Mathematics.
The Navy showed him the world. Montco showed him what to do with it. Interested in a community college experience that opens doors like this one? Explore degree programs, scholarships, and veteran resources at Montgomery County Community College.
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Montgomery County Community College
Montgomery County Community College exists to open doors. With more than 100 degree and certificate programs, two campuses rooted in the heart of Montgomery County, and a track record of sending graduates into careers and four-year universities, MCCC is where neighbors become nurses, business owners, and engineers. It’s where the Philadelphia region comes to learn, grow, and give back.
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