Western Illinois University (WIU) has been awarded an $89,401.33 GenCyber Grant to host the WIU GenCyber Cybersecurity Camp in June 2027, according to a news release.
The free, hands-on camp will welcome 30 students entering grades 9-12, including 15 male and 15 female participants. Organizers said the program will recruit students from rural communities in Illinois and surrounding states, particularly those with little or no previous cybersecurity experience.
The camp is designed to increase students’ awareness of and interest in cybersecurity careers while promoting diversity within the field. Participants will explore fundamental cybersecurity concepts, ethical decision-making, responsible digital behavior, and educational and career pathways in cybersecurity, according to the university.
Through collaborative activities, students will also develop leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills. Organizers said the camp will provide a safe and welcoming environment in which participants can build friendships with peers who share their interests and continue developing those interests after the program concludes.
The Computer Science program at WIU has had a tradition of participating in the university’s annual STEM Summer Camp and introducing high school students to computing through hands-on activities. The WIU Cybersecurity Center also supports experiential learning by hosting Cybersecurity Capture the Flag competitions for undergraduate and graduate students, in which participants use computer-forensics tools to analyze digital evidence and solve challenges based on real-world cybersecurity scenarios.
University officials said the two programs together reflect WIU’s commitment to developing cybersecurity knowledge at multiple educational levels, from introducing high school students to the field to giving university students opportunities to practice advanced technical skills.
Building on that tradition, Computer Science faculty said they hope to establish a dedicated summer program offering students more extensive opportunities to explore computing, cybersecurity and related career pathways, with the 2027 GenCyber Camp serving as a step toward that goal.
The university said the grant proposal benefited from the support and collaboration of administrators and faculty in the School of Computing, Data, and Mathematical Sciences, whose contributions were instrumental in securing the award.
