Aiken Secures $75,000 Donation to Support Cybersecurity Scholarships for Local Students

Aiken Welcomes Generous Support for Cybersecurity Students

On a bright and crisp December morning, the city of Aiken is buzzing with excitement over a wonderful act of generosity that promises to shape the future of students aspiring to excel in the fields of cybersecurity and computer science. International cybersecurity firm SteelGate LLC has stepped up to lend a helping hand, donating a total of $75,000 to the University of South Carolina Aiken (USC Aiken) to create scholarships designed specifically for ambitious students entering these high-demand fields.

Equipping the Next Generation

These donations, which include an initial $25,000 contributed in May followed by a substantial $50,000 in November, are set to support students who are majoring in computer science and maintain a grade point average of at least 3.0. With the goal of awarding these funds to approximately 25 students in 2025 from 18 local high schools, this initiative aims to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in cybersecurity, a field that is becoming increasingly critical in today’s digital landscape.

Dr. Scott McKay, the dean of the College of Sciences and Engineering at USC Aiken, explains, “The SteelGate Cyber Scholarship addresses a critical and significant demand for motivated and qualified cyber personnel who have the awareness and skills to defend local, state, national, and even international networks from growing threats.” With the increasing need for cybersecurity experts, this scholarship is an important way to prepare students to tackle the challenges that lie ahead in the tech world.

Growing Interest on Campus

USC Aiken has been experiencing a surge in interest regarding its cyber program, with a current enrollment of around 200 students. According to Dr. McKay, this number is expected to grow by an astounding 15% to 30% annually through 2030. The momentum does not stop there! Alongside the scholarship, SteelGate is collaborating with USC Aiken’s Office of Career Services to provide internships for students, creating a pathway for practical experience in the exciting world of cybersecurity.

Corey Feraldi, USC Aiken’s director of career services, shares, “We’re in the beginning phases of it. They’ve already been meeting with students.” The collaboration is just taking off, and promising opportunities are on the horizon!

Preparing for Future Challenges

In a boosting addition to the tech landscape, USC Aiken is gearing up to become the hub for the $60 million U.S. Department of Energy/Savannah River National Laboratory’s Advanced Manufacturing Collaborative in the near future. Plus, locals can expect the groundbreaking of a $30 million Cyber Integration Center by the South Carolina National Guard in 2025. This center will house the new Cyber Battalion and will offer students real-world opportunities to engage in cybersecurity and computer science projects.

As an NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, USC Aiken is committed to equipping students with the skills necessary to secure networks efficiently. The recent establishment of a Regional Security Operations Center on campus provides even more hands-on experiences, allowing students to monitor and secure networks for the university and surrounding local organizations, municipalities, and schools.

A Bright Future Ahead

SteelGate LLC, founded in 2019, has made a name for itself with its services and solutions in cyber operations, distributed command and control, data science, and information operations. As the firm relocates its Georgia office to the Georgia Cyber Center in Augusta, their partnership with USC Aiken marks a significant step towards meeting cybersecurity challenges faced by federal and state organizations.

As Aiken witnesses an infusion of support, students now have brighter prospects as they prepare to step into their careers in cybersecurity and computer science. With such promising partnerships and generous contributions, the future is looking incredibly bright for the next generation of tech professionals!