Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing the cybersecurity landscape, creating new threats while also giving professionals more sophisticated tools to defend against them.
At Old Dominion University, that transformation is creating new opportunities for students.
The University is among the first in the nation to offer the National Science Foundation’s CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service, a program that combines scholarships, professional development and hands-on experiences to prepare students for careers at the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
The program builds on expertise ODU has been developing for years in both fields.
“We leverage a mature curriculum, having offered dedicated courses at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity for over five years — long before tools like ChatGPT were popularized in the field,” said Daniel Takabi, Ph.D., director of the School of Cybersecurity and Batten Endowed Chair in Cybersecurity. “This historic inaugural cohort includes students at different levels, from community college transferees all the way to students enrolled in our newly launched Ph.D. program.”
Following graduation, scholarship recipients will enter government service, putting their cybersecurity expertise to work in support of their communities and the nation.
“I have a real passion for helping people, and that’s what made me want to pursue cybersecurity,” said Cameron Staples, a senior in cybersecurity. “It’s being able to help people protect themselves, and this program helps me feel like I’m making a difference by being able to help people through the public sector.”
For Staples, the scholarship has made graduate school a more realistic possibility. After learning about the program, he realized a master's degree in AI for cybersecurity could be financially within reach. He was also drawn to the internship and networking opportunities that could help him build a career in the field.
Located near military installations, a major maritime industry and federal research centers, ODU offers students opportunities to gain hands-on experience through partnerships with government agencies and industry organizations.
“The way Old Dominion University is, there’s always something going on in which you can connect with someone from a government agency, whether it’s big or small,” said Jadirah Myricks, a junior in cybersecurity with a concentration in AI. “It gives you that connection that you need but would probably not get anywhere else.”
The CyberAICorps Scholarship for Service program emphasizes hands-on learning experiences to prepare students for careers in cybersecurity and AI.
Internships, research, competitions and community outreach give students opportunities to apply their knowledge beyond the classroom and gain real-world experience.
“At the Interdisciplinary Schools, we are focused on addressing the evolving issues of today and the future,” said Khan Iftekharuddin, Ph.D., dean of the Interdisciplinary Schools. “The CyberAICorps program is creating opportunities for our cybersecurity students, especially as emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are changing the field at a rapid pace, helping to solve the current and new challenges. Through research, applied learning, internships and professional development, this program will help these students prepare for an evolving workforce and meet the needs of their communities and the nation.”
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
- Antonio Shields: M.S. in AI security
- Cameron Staples: B.S. in cybersecurity, M.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Favour Agho: M.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Jadirah Myricks: B.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Jared Williams: B.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Jessiah Davis: B.S. in AI for cybersecurity, M.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Jonathan Roberts: M.S. in AI security
- Mathieu Crosby: M.S. in AI security
- Nathaniel Bradley: M.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Reema Chakma: M.S. in AI for cybersecurity
- Wilondja Jacob: Ph.D. in cybersecurity
Learn more about the program and upcoming application dates on the School of Cybersecurity website.