Student pathways

• A University student selected for the SFS program must be enrolled for a B.S. in computer science and engineering with a cybersecurity (technical) minor, making them eligible for up to two years of scholarship leading to graduation.
• As part of the interdisciplinary aspect, the student must be knowledgeable about contemporary cybersecurity challenges and public policy essentials through six credits of interdisciplinary courses. Exact courses will be determined based on student interest and after discussion with program advisors.
• The student must do a summer internship in the cybersecurity area with an eligible federal agency. Guidance will be provided in finding the internship by connecting with potential employers.
• A University student pursuing accelerated B.S./M.S. program in computer science and engineering major and cybersecurity technical minor also can apply to this program, making them eligible for up to three years of scholarship (two years in undergraduate part and one year in graduate part) leading to graduation.
• Admitted students must meet with Ivy Chin, director of Academic Success, twice every semester. The first meeting will be a mid-semester progress report meeting to discuss concerns or issues related to their classes. The second meeting will be held on the day of registration to ensure students are successfully enrolled in the appropriate classes for the following semester. Additionally, students also will be required to meet with their faculty advisor after their progress report meeting with Ivy. Finally, an end-of-semester meeting may be required if student does not make satisfactory academic progress after the final grades are posted.

All participants will be required to attend SFS-provided opportunities, such as job fairs, seminars and workshops, accompanied by a project team member(s) in order to provide maximum student support.

Throughout the SFS program, ample opportunities will be provided for our diverse SFS scholars to interact and work collaboratively, and to exchange and build upon respective knowledge, backgrounds, and ideas. Those opportunities will include regular cohort workshops, guest-speaker events, student research symposiums, a capstone research project, as well as the annual cybersecurity conferences at the University with industry, government and academia.

The scholars also will be required to participate in the Nevada Cyber Club and cyber competitions. The peer exchanges and competitions not only will help with team building but also will prepare the students for real-life cyber incidents that they may encounter in their careers.

To broaden their outreach activities, SFS students also will be required to participate in middle/high school visits with the project faculty team, engage with school cyber clubs, and create workshops. Continuation and expansion of those efforts as a part of this project will be crucial to generate interest in cybersecurity among the next generation of students.