WASHINGTON, DC (January 16, 2015) – The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) applauds the Obama Administration on its selection of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to receive $25 million in funding for Cybersecurity Education, announced TMCF President & CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.
Vice President Biden along with Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz and White House Science Advisor John Holdren made the announcement at a TMCF member-school, Norfolk State University. The $25 million grant will provide support for cybersecurity education over the next five years at 13 HBCUs, two national labs, and one K-12 school district.
“TMCF is very excited that the Administration chose 13 HBCUs to receive this dedicated funding,” said Taylor. “HBCUs will be positioned to offer cutting edge course work for students interested in pursuing degrees that help address the new warfare and national security issues facing America today and in the future.”
Of the 13 HBCUs selected, five are TMCF member-schools – Norfolk State University (Virginia), Bowie State University (Maryland), North Carolina A&T University (North Carolina), South Carolina State University (South Carolina), and University of the Virgin Islands (US Virgin Islands). Norfolk State University will serve as the lead in this endeavor.
A press release from The White House stated that this announcement is building on President Obama’s cybersecurity announcement earlier this week, and focuses on the critical need to address the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals in the United States job market. Additionally, it aims to diversify the talent pipeline in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields by establishing the Cybersecurity Workforce Pipeline Consortium through the Department of Energy.
”After the recent Sony cyberattack, America must invest in the next generation of cybersecurity experts who will be prepared to anticipate future cyber issues,” said Taylor. “Several HBCUs have been building sustainable cybersecurity programs over the last several years and are prepared to produce some of the best skilled graduates for tomorrow’s workforce.”
Media Contact:
Tangie Newborn
tangie.newborn@tmcf.org
202-888-0039 (o) | 240-242-7144 (c)
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ABOUT THE THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND (TMCF)
TMCF is named for the U.S. Supreme Court’s first African-American Justice. Established in 1987, TMCF supports and represents nearly 300,000 students attending its 47 member-schools that include publicly-supported Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), medical schools and law schools. Through its scholarships and programs, TMCF plays a key role in preparing the leaders of tomorrow.
