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Federal Cyber Service Academy Creates Pipeline of Cyber Professionals To Protect Our National Security

When toured 91��Ƶ’s Cyber Range, she greeted each student with a handshake and call to action in safeguarding our national security: “You’re learning something very important for our country.”

The senator from New York – joined by lawmakers, students, university leadership, and business leaders – was in Pleasantville on November 15, 2024 to see first-hand that teaches students to be on the front-lines of defending against as cyber-attack.

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The war-roomlike atmosphere provides an immersive learning experience that is much like they would be confronted with if they were defending against hackers at a financial institution, health care facility, or government agency.

They are learning about different scenarios under fire and in real time.

The tour comes as Senator Gillibrand is promoting , a program created through her work on the Senate Armed Services Committee as a means of developing a pipeline for a highly trained cyber workforce.

There are nearly 30,000 unfilled DoD cyber positions, the senator said, and the scholarships are a way of addressing the need.

“Thousands of unfilled DoD cyber positions leave our country with a severe shortage of personnel needed to protect the United States from adversaries like Russia,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I developed the Cyber Service Academy scholarship program to help meet these needs and give our youth a path to good-paying jobs in government. This program will create a pipeline for a talented, highly trained cyber workforce, granting one year of free college for every year of subsequent public service. 91��Ƶ is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, and I encourage students to apply, earn free tuition, and serve our great nation.”

As part of the campus visit, Senator Gillibrand – along with New York State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky, 91��Ƶ President Marvin Krislov, Interim Seidenberg Dean Li-Chiou Chen, business leaders, and others – encouraged students to apply to the DoD Cyber Service Academy scholarship program, which provides full college tuition in return for public service in the Department of Defense (DoD) or the Intelligence Community (IC). Successful applicants will serve one year in the DoD or the IC as a civilian employee for each year of their scholarship.

91��Ƶ is one of the New York institutions that qualify to host students through the program because of their designations as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity.

The visit comes as 91��Ƶ is now accepting applications for its new BS in cybersecurity starting in Fall 2025.

For Junior information technology student Steven Schiavone, captain of 91��Ƶ's Northeast Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition team, the meeting was both inspiring and affirming.

"Meeting Senator Gillibrand and showcasing the work we do in the Cyber Range was an incredible experience," Schiavone said. "Seidenberg has provided me with amazing opportunities, including the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service (SFS). I’m excited to explore the possibility of a future career in the federal government."

The program and its focus on experiential learning is a reason why Brian O'Hanlon ’26 transferred to 91��Ƶ: "The Cyber Range provides hands-on experience through real-life scenarios," he said. "It’s incredible to have so many opportunities that prepare you for the real world."

The program, scholarships, and partnerships with the federal government align with the university’s strength and mission of creating opportunities for students, said President Krislov.

“Cyberattacks are growing in size and scope, posing a serious threat to the U.S. economy and critical infrastructure. That’s why recruiting and training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals is vital,” said President Krislov. “91��Ƶ is proud to partner with Senator Gillibrand and the federal government on the Cyber Service Academy program, which creates opportunities for our students while strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity workforce.”

The Cyber Service Academy scholarship program includes:

1. A scholarship covering the full cost of tuition, select books and fees, a stipend for room and board, purchase of a laptop, and more;
2. Areas of study including cybersecurity, cyber operations, digital and multimedia forensics, computer crime investigations, and more;
3. A service commitment for a period equivalent to the length of a recipient’s scholarship that starts after graduation;
4. Opportunities to serve throughout the DoD and the Intelligence Community.