- Posted in All University
- Category: Campus News
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – Lincoln University faculty and students joined more than 700 energy, technology, and education leaders for a cybersecurity festival in Washington, D.C., on September 20.
Lincoln University students and computer science professor Haydar Teymourlouei (left) meet with U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop for Georgia’s second congressional district (front, center, red tie) and Honorable Arthur L. Burnett Sr., the first African American U.S. Magistrate Judge (center, to the right of Rep. Bishop) during the STEM4US! Festival on September 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C.
Patricia Ramsey, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, participated in a panel during the festival, which was held at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and hosted by STEM4US! Computer science professors Haydar Teymourlouei and Uzoma James Chikwem also attended.
The Honorable Arthur L. Burnett Sr. (second from left), the first African American U.S. Magistrate Judge, meets with students during the STEM4US! Festival on September 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C.
The festival’s theme was “Hacking the Nation’s Cybersecurity Workforce Shortage in Energy, Finance & Health Sciences.” According to the festival's website, the event was “a forum for the intersectionality of innovation and diversity.” The Lincoln University delegation networked with energy, finance, and health sciences executives along with technology and education leaders working on innovative solutions to boost the cybersecurity workforce.
Now in its fourth year, the event featured an innovation, career, and schools fair; a hackathon and venture competition; and workshops with industry experts. Attendees experienced hands-on exhibits while learning about cybersecurity related jobs, internships, and grant opportunities.
STEM4US! is a non-profit advocacy organization launched in 2013. It was formed to increase funding for colleges, schools, and nonprofit organizations to expand the cybersecurity and other STEM workforce particularly in the energy, finance, and health sciences fields.
Lincoln University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Patricia Ramsey (second from left) participates on a panel with the Honorable Arthur L. Burnett Sr. (right), the first African American U.S. Magistrate Judge, during the STEM4US! Festival on September 20, 2017, in Washington, D.C.
During a press conference at the event, STEM4US! announced a partnership with energy, technology, and education leaders to create a network of cybersecurity incubators at Historically Black Colleges & Universities, community colleges, and other higher education institutions serving people of color and women. The initiative’s goal is to help increase the quality, quantity, and diversity of our nation’s cyber workforce over the next 10 years.