ST. JOSEPH’S UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK AWARDED $754,000 FOR CYBERSECURITY LAB

March 03, 2023 BK

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – March 3, 2023 – St. Joseph’s University, New York (SJNY) is pleased to announce that it will receive $754,000 in community project funds from Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand for the construction of a cybersecurity lab and the enhancement of STEM equipment at the University’s Brooklyn Campus in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn.

The funding, part of the recently-passed omnibus package to fund the government next year, will allow for the renovation and equipment of a computing lab specifically for cybersecurity instruction and training. With space for classes of up to 30 students, the lab will feature a series of clustered workstations with its own highly-secure, isolated network, allowing instructors to engage their students in demonstrations and models of real-world threats. In addition, the funding will support crucial equipment upgrades for the chemistry laboratories, including spectroscopy tools for organic chemistry, to expand STEM programs and ensure that students have access to the technology and equipment they need to prepare for dynamic careers in high-need fields.

“I was so proud to secure this funding for St. Joseph’s that will help train the next generation of diverse and extremely qualified workers in cybersecurity, as well as other important STEM sectors like the biomedical research industry,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “I look forward to continuing to work with faculty, administrators and students at St. Joseph’s to make sure the University can have the biggest possible impact in these important fields.” 

Along with developing the next generation of diverse cybersecurity professionals, the cybersecurity lab will also enable the University to increase the community’s awareness of potential cybersecurity threats by offering identity fraud seminars to local senior citizens and cybersecurity boot camps for local high school students.

“This funding is being awarded to us at the same time we look to reinforce both our digital security and scientific workforce to chart a more inclusive and prosperous post-pandemic future for our students and community,” said St. Joseph’s President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D. “We are so grateful to Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and look forward to the wonderful opportunities this partnership will create for the Brooklyn community.”

In addition to the cybersecurity infrastructure, a strong collegiate STEM program must keep pace with current industry standards and chemistry laboratory equipment advances. This funding will allow the University to continue training future researchers, science educators and health care workers.

For more information, visit sjny.edu/brooklyn.

ABOUT ST. JOSEPH'S UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK
St. Joseph’s University, New York has been dedicated to providing a diverse population of students in the New York metropolitan area with an affordable education rooted in the liberal arts tradition since 1916. Independent and coeducational, the University provides a strong academic and value-oriented education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, aiming to prepare each student for a life characterized by integrity, intellectual and spiritual values, social responsibility and service. Through its Brooklyn, Long Island and online campuses, the University offers degrees in more than 100 majors, special course offerings and certificates, affiliated and pre-professional programs.