By Andrew Skerritt
The Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Science & Technology received a $1.42 million grant from the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Center for Cybersecurity to launch online cybersecurity bootcamps targeting both adult and college learners.
This collaborative project between FAMU and its partner Bisk, announced the launch of cybersecurity bootcamps that will prepare women and minorities — both underrepresented populations in the industry — for a career in the field of cybersecurity, specifically the practice of protecting networks, programs, and sensitive information from cyberattacks.
Approximately $500,000 of the grant is allocated for scholarships to those meeting the necessary criteria to transition into the cybersecurity workforce to address the shortage of cybersecurity professionals in the state of Florida, the nation and globally.
“FAMU provides students with an educational experience essential to their success and advancing their future,” said Richard Alo, Ph.D., dean of the FAMU College of Science and Technology and principal investigator on the grant. “Providing scholarships and partnering with Bisk to offer Cybersecurity programs ensures this growing industry has representation and can meet the demand.”
There are three bootcamp options available: 1) 12-weeks fulltime, 2) 24-weeks part time, 3) and 24-week hybrid (self-paced asynchronous content with instructor-led lessons) to develop, prepare, and enhance students’ skills through virtual labs, assessments, and real-life scenarios.
“There is a severe shortage of cybersecurity professionals and an inadequate representation of minorities and women in this field,” said Bisk’s vice president, Academic Success Jennifer King. “This funding will enable residents in Florida access to virtual, instructor-led courses to pursue careers in this fast-growing, in-demand field to create a safer cyberspace.”
The grant provides 60 fully funded scholarships for the bootcamps. The scholarships are open to all Florida residents from underrepresented communities who meet the minimum requirements of a Graduate Equivalency Degree (GED). Students nearing the final semester of high school will also be considered for the scholarships on an individual basis. Bootcamps No. 1 and No. 2 launched early January 2023 with Bootcamp No. 3 launching in March 2023. Click here for more information or to enroll.
Bisk partners with leading institutions to deliver online degree and certificate programs to learners around the world. The company provides the resources, expertise, and technology to help institutions grow and students thrive. Through its online education services, Bish has supported more than one million enrollments for universities such as Villanova University, Michigan State University, University of South Florida, Florida Institute of Technology, FAMU, Emory University, Southern Methodist University, University of British Columbia, Vanderbilt University and Columbia Law School. Its mission is to amplify potential through transformational learning experiences.
