JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville University's Davis College of Business and Technology has been awarded a prestigious GenCyber Program grant funded by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), positioning the school as a leader in cybersecurity education on the First Coast.
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“This is a fantastic opportunity for students of all backgrounds to deepen their understanding and explore cybersecurity as a way to protect others for the public good,” said Dr. Barbara Ritter, dean of the Davis College of Business and Technology.
The GenCyber program, aimed at grades 6-11, is free and equips participants with critical cybersecurity skills. The grant-funded 2025 camp will hold two summer sessions in June, each serving 20 middle school students from underserved communities.
“We are excited to host the GenCyber camp and provide middle school students with the opportunity to explore the fascinating world of cybersecurity,” said Dr. Saeed Al Haji, principal investigator and program director of GenCyber and assistant professor of cybersecurity at JU.
The goals of the program include increasing student interest in cybersecurity-related careers and increasing diversity in the field. Co-principal investigator and JU Cybersecurity Associate Professor Dr. Mini Zeng highlighted, “Another goal is to prepare students to understand cybersecurity concepts, online privacy, programming and cyber attacks.”
The grant is part of a broader effort to expand cybersecurity education across Florida with collaboration from institutions including the University of North Florida, Florida State University at Jacksonville and the University of West Florida.
The JU Cyber Security Center, located at Davis College, plays a vital role in cyber security training and education in the region, with advanced facilities such as the JU Cyber Range. The college's cyber security program is NSA CAE-CD designated, providing high-quality, specialized training for future cyber security professionals.
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