Senator Gillibrand Promotes Cyber Service Academy at Pace University

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand joined New York State Assemblymember MaryJane Shimsky and educators to encourage Pace University students to apply to the DoD Cyber Service Academy scholarship program, which provides full college tuition in return for public service in the Department of Defense (DoD) or the Intelligence Community (IC). Successful applicants will serve one year in the DoD or the IC as a civilian employee for each year of their scholarship. 

 “Thousands of unfilled DoD cyber positions leave our country with a severe shortage of personnel needed to protect the United States from adversaries like Russia. I developed the Cyber Service Academy scholarship program to help meet these needs and give our youth a path to good-paying jobs in government,” said Senator Gillibrand speaking at a press conference held November 15th at the Pace campus in Pleasantville. “This program will create a pipeline for a talented, highly trained cyber workforce, granting one year of free college for every year of subsequent public service. Pace University is a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, and I encourage students to apply, earn free tuition, and serve our great nation,” she added.

BCW Member Pace University is one of 24 New York institutions that qualify to host students through the program because of their designations as National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity. Gillibrand created the Cyber Service Academy scholarship program through her work on the Senate Armed Services Committee. With nearly 30,000 unfilled DoD cyber positions, it is more essential than ever that the U.S. create a pipeline for a talented, highly trained cyber workforce. 

“Cyberattacks are growing in size and scope, posing a serious threat to the U.S. economy and critical infrastructure. That’s why recruiting and training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals is vital,” said Pace University President Marvin Krislov. “Pace is proud to partner with Senator Gillibrand and the federal government on the Cyber Service Academy program, which creates opportunities for our students while strengthening the nation’s cybersecurity workforce.”

Interested students should go to www.gillibrand.senate.gov/cyberacademy and click on the DoD Cyber Scholarship Program link to apply. This page will continue to be updated as the DoD refines its application process. The application for the 2025-2026 academic year is open through February 1, 2025.

BCW Executive Vice President & COO John Ravitz attended the evevnt and toured the Cyber Service Academy.