The University of Arkansas at Little Rock received a boost to its cybersecurity education in the form of a $4.5 million grant.
Funded by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, the grant will allow UA Little Rock to enhance its efforts to prepare high school teachers to teach cybersecurity.
“We are committed to leading the charge in cybersecurity education,” said UA Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale. “By growing the number of teachers with the skills and resources they need to inspire the next generation, we’re not only addressing a critical workforce gap but also positioning Arkansas as a hub for innovation in cybersecurity. This grant supports a transformative step forward for education and industry alike.”
The university will work with DePaul University, the University of Louisville and Dark Enterprises–a nonprofit group that advances cyber education.
“This funding will allow us to build upon the success of the National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy (NCTA) and help address the nationwide shortage of high school cybersecurity teachers,” cybersecurity research professor Dr. Sandra Leiterman said. “We have 175 scholarships available for teachers for the upcoming summer cohort and an additional 175 for the summer 2026 cohort. This grant enables us to make a meaningful impact by increasing the number of skilled cybersecurity teachers in classrooms in Arkansas and across the country.”
UA Little Rock was among the first in the nation to offer a graduate certificate in cybersecurity education, equipping high school teachers to teach it. The grant will allow more high school students to earn college credits, shortening their path to college degrees.
The grant will also provide funding to establish a learning community for NCTA graduates, offering professional development and peer support.
“I recently met with 40 of our graduates at a K-12 Cybersecurity Conference in San Antonio,” Leiterman said. “Many of them are the sole cybersecurity teachers in their schools and lack local support networks. This grant allows us to build an alumni community where teachers can connect quarterly, access professional development and share successful lessons. We want them to become a valuable resource for one another.”
Teachers wishing to learn more about the NCTA can visit this website.
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