In partnership with
Application Opens | 04/24/24
Application Closes | 05/15/24
Announce Faculty Selected - Send Out Selection Letters | Announcement date| 05/17/24
Virtual Orientation | Orientation date| 05/20/24
In-person Kickoff | Kickoff event: 9/6/24
In-person Showcase with Accelerator Students | Showcase event: 06/01/25
Participants will craft individual learning paths, exploring synchronous and asynchronous learning experiences, including foundational resources and specialized training sessions. The program emphasizes practical application, with resources continuously updated to reflect the latest in cybersecurity advancements.
As a culminating deliverable of the HCFP, participants are required to submit a white paper that explores an innovative approach to enhancing cybersecurity education within courses, programs, institutions, or at a national level. This white paper should specifically focus on the application of knowledge and strategies gained through the professional development experience, aiming to impact student or professional outcomes in the field of cybersecurity.
1. What is the PROPEL HBCU Cybersecurity Consortium and what do we do?
2. What are the primary goals of the HCC?
The HCC aims to equip cybersecurity faculty and students with advanced training, accelerated learning, and workforce readiness opportunities. HCC fosters collaboration between academia, industry, and government, and develops a diverse pipeline of graduates qualified to address tomorrow's cybersecurity challenges.
3. What programs are offered by the HCC?
The HCC offers several key programs, including:
4. How can students and faculty participate in these programs?
Participants can apply through specified application processes for each program.
5. What are the eligibility criteria for the Cybersecurity Accelerator Program?
Eligible students must be in good academic standing at an HBCU, have completed 90 credits(junior or senior) of computer science coursework, and be interested in cybersecurity. They must commit to participating in both online and in-person activities.
6. What does the Cybersecurity Fellows Program offer to faculty?
The program requires an application and offers over 60 hours of professional development, certification support, and opportunities to engage in innovative teaching and learning methodologies. It aims to elevate faculty expertise and facilitate collaboration with industry and government. However, all the programs for faculty isn't application-based. Faculty who are not in the Cybersecurity Fellows Program will still be able to actively participate in PROPEL Learn, Consortium meetings, CyberChats, and take advantage of other research opportunities.
7. How do the programs enhance the knowledge and skill sets of students and faculty, and how does it benefit other stakeholders?
The Consortium's programs enhance student and faculty knowledge and skills by combining theoretical learning with practical experiences. In the Cybersecurity Accelerator Program, students benefit from challenge-based learning and mentoring, gaining both technical and social skills. Faculty development is promoted through the Fellows Program, which offers advanced training and certifications. Other HBCU stakeholders gain access to enriched curriculums and resources, improving their students' educational experience.
8. Is the Consortium exclusive to certain schools?
The Consortium will offer priority access to programs for the select HBCUs that participated in its development. However, it is open to all HBCUs, with schools that join over time and are officially represented gaining increasing access to programming and resources. This inclusivity ensures broad engagement across the HBCU community.
9. How are students educated with the industry-required skill sets?
The Cybersecurity Consortium’s accelerated learning opportunities educate students on industry-required skills through challenge-based learning and other expedited experiential learning opportunities. The consortium’s flagship accelerated learning program is the Cybersecurity Accelerator. The program also includes a significant mentoring component, allowing students to apply their knowledge practically, understand industry dynamics, and develop essential technical and social skills.
10. Do faculty members have access to certifications as part of the Fellows Program, and do they have to wait the entire year?
Faculty members receive funding for certifications upon acceptance into the Fellows Program. While the program is sequential and time-bound, faculty can choose when to pursue certifications based on the curriculum and their schedule. This flexibility is complemented by mentorship and coaching from cybersecurity professionals, enhancing faculty teaching capabilities.
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“Our hands-on training and career readiness programs ensure that students are well-prepared for the demands of the cybersecurity industry.”
