Students interested in cyber or defense careers will have more opportunities to work directly on national security challenges thanks to the University’s new partnership with the Department of Defense’s Virtual Institute for Cybersecurity and Electromagnetic Spectrum and Employ Scholars program.
Housed in WVU Cyber, the University is one of 16 lead universities across the country to become a VICEROY Scholars Institution.
The prestigious program meets the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community’s high demand for cyber professionals by having students join defense leaders on the ground to support military and national security efforts.
Students learn the intricacies of software engineering while working alongside defense personnel, such as secure communications, cyber threat analysis and mission assurance.
“Participating in VICEROY takes our programs to the next level by creating hands-on, experiential learning opportunities for students and exposing them to the DOD cyber-spectrum mission in a way that truly prepares them for a meaningful career in the defense of our nation,” said Bill Walker, executive director of WVU Cyber and the University’s head of national security and cyberspace programs.
Two Mountaineers have already experienced the value of the VICEROY program. Morgan Baker and Emily Le recently completed internships connected to Air Combat Command.
Baker, a dual major in data science and economics minoring in business ethics and prosperity, worked on modernizing databases used by senior leaders by building automated dashboards that significantly reduced reporting time.
“It made me think seriously about how government employment could give me the chance to work on more rewarding projects where I can make a meaningful contribution,” Baker said.
Le, a dual major in management information systems and economics minoring in cybersecurity, focused on aviation safety initiatives by developing dashboards to help leadership track and manage safety recommendations.
Reflecting on the experience, Le said the internship shaped her future goals and showed her the broader impact of cyber work.
“It showed me that cyber resilience is not just technical. It is a strategic necessity, and it made me excited to pursue work where I can help organizations build stronger, safer systems.”
For faculty and staff, the VICEROY partnership is another resource to tap into, from supporting experiential learning in and out of the classroom to research collaboration and student mentoring.
“This new partnership adds to the work our faculty, staff and students put into cyber every day,” Walker said. “It is part of how we continue to innovate together and prepare Mountaineers for what comes next in the world of cyber. We are excited to see this new partnership amplify these efforts.”
Students can become a VICEROY Scholar by filling out the VICEROY Scholar application. All students that successfully complete the process will receive a $1,000 stipend and become eligible for fully paid summer internships.
Learn more about WVU Cyber and the partnerships driving our mission forward.