Michigan-based Davenport University will start giving out scholarships to students interested in pursuing a career in cybersecurity, the school said in a release.
Last week, the university received a $4 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) towards CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program, which will cover full-tuition, fees and living costs of nearly 28 students.
The program, led by Lonnie Decker and Mark McKinnon of Davenport University and Andrew Rozema of Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC), will educate and train the next generation of cybersecurity experts.
“With a large number of open positions and growing security attacks, the need to strengthen and address the cybersecurity talent pipeline is more important than ever,” said Dr. Richard Pappas, president of Davenport University.
Selected students will have an opportunity to complete a paid summer internship with a federal, state, local or tribal government organization and travel to a national cybersecurity conference. They will also mentor high school students who are interested in pursuing a cybersecurity career.
Those who will graduate successfully from the program have been assured a full-time cybersecurity role at a government entity.
“Programs like this, that support students in their career and educational pathways, lend a great hand to helping reach our goal of 60 percent of Michigan high school graduates earning a credential or degree after high school by 2030,” said Gov. Whitmer’s Advisor on Economic Prosperity Doug Ross.
“And when students are supported on a path to earn these credentials, employers gain a highly-skilled talent pool to fill the 545,000 jobs coming open through 2026, and the state grows closer to filling the skills gap – it’s a win-win.”
The university is currently accepting applications for the program.