Through a partnership between Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Solutions, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½\u2019s student-led consulting initiative, and <\/span>NTEN<\/span><\/a>, a nonprofit tech organization, students are providing 1:1 cybersecurity consulting to nonprofits participating in NTEN\u2019s Nonprofit Cybersecurity Readiness Program, creating a powerful, real-world learning experience for students while strengthening digital resilience for mission-driven organizations around the globe.<\/span><\/p>\n Through the partnership, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ <\/span>cybersecurity<\/span><\/a> students serve as consultants to nonprofit leaders, offering tailored guidance on cybersecurity challenges ranging from risk assessments to implementation strategies and leadership buy-in. The program connects students directly with organizations across the United States and 16 countries, giving them hands-on experience navigating the complexities of real-world cybersecurity environments.<\/span><\/p>\n Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ is currently the only higher education institution partnering with NTEN in this capacity.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn today\u2019s economy, experiential learning is no longer optional – it\u2019s essential,\u201d said <\/span>Robyn Wand, Director of Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Solutions<\/b>. \u201cThis groundbreaking partnership is exactly the kind of win-win scenario we envisioned when we launched Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Solutions last year. Our students are gaining invaluable, real-world experience as cybersecurity consultants, while nonprofits gain access to personalized, high-quality support that helps them better protect their operations and the communities they serve.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n NTEN\u2019s Nonprofit Cybersecurity Readiness Program typically serves cohorts of ranging from 20 to 100 nonprofit professionals over a three-month period, equipping them with tools and resources to strengthen their organizations\u2019 cybersecurity posture. NTEN has increasingly sought ways to provide more individualized, human-centered support.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re always bringing in external experts, but for this cohort we wanted to create more opportunities for real, one-on-one conversations,\u201d said <\/span>Ash Shepherd, Chief Program Officer at NTEN<\/b>. \u201cIt\u2019s powerful for participants to be able to talk to a real person about their specific challenges, and Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ students have stepped up in an incredible way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The partnership originated from a Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ student\u2019s cold outreach email expressing interest in gaining hands-on experience through volunteer work. Unlike traditional classroom-based instruction, the Ä¢¹½´«Ã½-NTEN collaboration immerses students in the full scope of cybersecurity consulting, including not only technical assessments but also the human and organizational factors that influence successful implementation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThis goes beyond theory,\u201d said <\/span>Shepherd<\/b>. \u201cStudents are helping nonprofit leaders think through how to secure leadership buy-in, prioritize investments, and implement solutions in real-world contexts. For students preparing to enter a competitive job market, that kind of experience is a huge advantage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n The program launched in September, with students working alongside nonprofit participants throughout each three-month cohort.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAs a Project Manager with Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Solutions, I have really enjoyed getting to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds,\u201d said <\/span>Trevor Kellogg, a senior majoring in cybersecurity and management information systems<\/b>. \u201cHelping nonprofits with their cybersecurity has been meaningful, but what\u2019s stuck with me most is the perspective I have gained. It\u2019s changed the way I see both the work we do and the impact it can have.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Blake Vacek, a <\/b>computer science<\/b><\/a> major with a focus on cybersecurity, <\/b>added: \u201cI\u2019ve loved being part of this work because it\u2019s given me the chance to connect with people, help nonprofits strengthen their cybersecurity, and gain real-world experience.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n As the partnership continues to grow, it represents a scalable model for bridging workforce development and social impact \u2013 preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals while addressing a critical need in the nonprofit sector.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOur students have gained confidence in their own abilities and gained the trust of the nonprofit partners to improve their cybersecurity,\u201d said <\/span>Bob Barrett, Cybersecurity Faculty Member and Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Solutions Cyber Faculty Director. <\/b>\u201cWe look forward to continuing to deepen this partnership with NTEN, and exploring even more opportunities for our students to help mission-driven enterprises build thriving businesses and strong communities.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Launched in 2025, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Solutions is a student-led, faculty-guided consulting initiative designed to bridge classroom knowledge with real-world impact. The program currently offers a suite of professional services at an affordable rate for businesses and nonprofits, including:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Organizations interested in receiving Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Solutions services can contact the team at <\/span>mbs@maryville.edu<\/span><\/a> and on <\/span>LinkedIn<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ Ä¢¹½´«Ã½<\/b><\/p>\n Founded in 1872, Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ is a comprehensive and nationally ranked private institution with an enrollment of well over 9,000 students. Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ offers over 90 degrees at the undergraduate, master\u2019s and doctoral levels, as well as several certificates that align with the undergraduate and graduate education levels. Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ is recognized as the third fastest-growing private university in the United States by The Chronicle of Higher Education, serving students from 50 states and 56 countries. More than 50,000 Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ alumni globally, many of whom work and live in the St. Louis region.<\/span><\/p>\n Ä¢¹½´«Ã½ NTEN<\/b><\/p>\n NTEN is a community of nonprofit professionals who want to make the world a better place through the skillful and equitable use of technology. By connecting, upskilling, and enabling nonprofit organizations and professionals to use technology for social change, NTEN strengthens the transformative power of missions and movements.<\/span><\/p>\n NTEN provides educational opportunities and research on effective nonprofit technology practices and creates spaces for collaboration to thrive. NTEN\u2019s work is guided by three commitments for its community: Connect, Learn, and Change.<\/span><\/p>\n
\nMission-driven organizations worldwide are strengthening their cyber defenses with help from students at Ä¢¹½´«Ã½\u2019s John E. Simon School of Business, the result of a first-of-its-kind partnership that combines experiential learning with community impact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n