IMPACT
What are the major goals and objectives of this project?
GOAL: The goal of the Indigenous Mutual Partnership to Advance Cybersecurity Technology (IMPACT) is to strengthen and expand science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)/cybersecurity education and research at three Tribal Colleges, thus preparing a highly-qualified next generation workforce and increasing the flow of American Indian/Alaska Native students into cybersecurity careers throughout the Department of Energy national Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE) workforce to meet present and future security demands.
OBJECTIVE 1
Each project year, IMPACT will strengthen and improve recruitment of under-represented minority students into the STEM/information technology (IT)/cybersecurity programs at three Tribal Colleges by:
(1.1) conducting interactive workshops and demonstrations led by each College surrounding schools to increase awareness of IT/cybersecurity as evidenced by the number of workshops held and the number of students participating. 100 served per year.
​
(1.2) utilizing TMCC’s experience to lead the three partners in developing and conducting two, five-day virtual cybersecurity summer camps held in Years 1-3 with 15 high school students in each camp as evidenced by the number of workshops/activities, numbers of students participating, and completion surveys. 30 students in Years 1-3 = 90 students served.
​
(1.3) hosting a cybersecurity/IT industry day at each TCU where a representative from the NSE (likely Kansas City National Security Campus) visits each campus to build relations with the students and demonstrate careers at NSE. 3 Industry Days per year x 5 years=15.
​
(1.4) SCC worked to develop an interest in the local high schools by offering a
Introduction to Cyber Security as a dual enrollment course for Spring Semester 2022; 11 local high school students enrolled and completed the course. SCC will continue to offer this dual enrollment for future recruitment to the Cybersecurty program(s) at SCC and at TMCC.
OBJECTIVE 2
By the end of Year Three, IMPACT will enhance cybersecurity education for students at the three Tribal Colleges by:
(2.1) developing a certificate in cybersecurity Stone Child College (SCC),
​
(2.2) a two-year online cybersecurity degree program Sitting Bull College (SBC) and
(2.3) a four-year cybersecurity degree program Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC), all of which are grounded in innovative technology and hands-on-learning experiences as evidenced by the courses developed, degree programs developed, certifications earned, and numbers of students participating in the degree programs at each TCU.
OBJECTIVE 3
By the end of Year Three, IMPACT will develop and implement:
​
(3.1) a tribal college Security Operation Center and
(3.2) a corresponding eight-week Cybersecurity Summer Research Internship Experience that prepares students for research and workforce experience as they enhance their skills and increase their exposure to the tribal college/industry partner/NSE collaborative as evidenced by program records and numbers of students participating in its activities each year.
OBJECTIVE 4
Each project year, IMPACT will advance students along the pathway by supporting students:
(4.1) participation in enterprise internships,
(4.2) transition to a graduate degree program in cybersecurity or
(4.3) attaining employment within a professional environment such as the NNSA enterprise workforce as evidenced by the numbers of students transitioning to a graduate degree program in cybersecurity, the number of students employed within the NNSA enterprise workforce, and the number of students employed within a professional environment.
(4.4) to recruit dual enrolled students to the Introduction to Cybersecurity course that will align with SCC’s associates program.