Dakota State University entered a five-year Educational Partnership Agreement with ArmyCyber to work together on research and educational projects.
“Dakota State is leading the new security frontier – which is cyber – and this agreement will provide us with distinctive opportunities to contribute to our nation’s security while providing cutting-edge workforce experience for our students,” José-Marie Griffiths, the university's president, said.
According to a press release, the agreement aims to show students potential cyber career paths, including civilian roles with the military.
Students will work with army researchers to solve problems and access to internships, according to Griffiths.
Griffiths believes the agreement will have additional benefits for students and the army.
“I'm not sure that academic institutions do enough to expose our students to career opportunities in government and I think this partnership will allow us to do that," she said. "The army recruits a lot of employees. They're not all in uniform, they have a lot of civilian employees.”
The agreement was signed on Monday at a ceremony on Dakota State University's campus.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem was in attendance at the ceremony. She spoke at the event and tweeted in support of the agreement afterwards.
In South Dakota, we become the best — and then we do it again.
— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) June 19, 2023
I've seen this kind of work ethic demonstrated at @DakotaState time and time again.
Today, we signed an Educational Partnership Agreement between @ARCYBER and Dakota State — it’s yet another opportunity to raise the… pic.twitter.com/s9FbfG8UEv
Lt. Gen. Maria Barrett, who is the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Cyber Command, and South Dakota Sen. Mike rounds were also at the event.
“DSU’s students and faculty have proven to be innovative, skilled, and forward-thinking," Barrett said. "Just the kind of talented, focused and driven young minds our nation needs in its cyber workforce to counter our cyber adversaries and defend the networks and critical infrastructure that are vital to our nation.”
About 100 middle schoolers participating in Dakota State University’s GenCyber Girls in CybHER® camp were also there for the signing.
