Xavier Chosen to Lead Groundbreaking Cybersecurity Pilot Program

Xavier’s Computer Science chair, Leon Tynes, Jr., will oversee a new cybersecurity pilot program offered at the school (photo by Lisa Zuba).

Xavier College Preparatory has been chosen by the College Board to pilot a set of groundbreaking Advanced Placement (AP) cybersecurity courses designed to align education with career readiness. These innovative AP Career Kickstart courses will not only provide industry-recognized credentials but also college credit to students aspiring to enter high-demand fields such as cybersecurity and business.

Leon Tynes, Jr., chair of the Computer Science department at Xavier, expressed pride in the school’s selection, highlighting its unique position as an all-girls institution. He stated, “We are honored that Xavier College Preparatory has been selected by the College Board as a Cybersecurity Pilot School for these groundbreaking AP courses. This opportunity will not only strengthen our students’ technical expertise but also inspire them to become the next generation of leaders in STEM and digital security.”

The curriculum includes a new AP cybersecurity Networking course that serves as an introduction to first-year college networking concepts. This course integrates practical problem-solving activities with essential networking principles, focusing on network hardware, configurations, and security practices that safeguard data transmission across networks.

Another component, the AP CK Cybersecurity class, provides a comprehensive overview of cybersecurity issues, paralleling collegiate introductory courses. Students investigate common threats, vulnerabilities, risk management strategies, and the methods organizations use to mitigate risks. These subjects are critical as they explore various domains, including physical security, computer networks, and applications.

Students will also undertake projects that examine the latest trends in cybersecurity, such as artificial intelligence, virtualization, and the implications of remote work on security infrastructures. This exposure is invaluable for understanding how evolving technologies impact security challenges at both individual and organizational levels.