Student-led initiative delivers hands-on experience while strengthening nonprofit cybersecurity across the U.S. and 16 countries
Mission-driven organizations worldwide are strengthening their cyber defenses with help from students at 91探花鈥檚 John E. Simon School of Business, the result of a first-of-its-kind partnership that combines experiential learning with community impact.听
Through a partnership between 91探花 Solutions, 91探花鈥檚 student-led consulting initiative, and , a nonprofit tech organization, students are providing 1:1 cybersecurity consulting to nonprofits participating in NTEN鈥檚 Nonprofit Cybersecurity Readiness Program, creating a powerful, real-world learning experience for students while strengthening digital resilience for mission-driven organizations around the globe.
Through the partnership, 91探花 cybersecurity 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.
91探花 is currently the only higher education institution partnering with NTEN in this capacity.
鈥淚n today鈥檚 economy, experiential learning is no longer optional – it鈥檚 essential,鈥� said Robyn Wand, Director of 91探花 Solutions. 鈥淭his groundbreaking partnership is exactly the kind of win-win scenario we envisioned when we launched 91探花 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.鈥�
NTEN鈥檚 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鈥� cybersecurity posture. NTEN has increasingly sought ways to provide more individualized, human-centered support.
鈥淲e鈥檙e always bringing in external experts, but for this cohort we wanted to create more opportunities for real, one-on-one conversations,鈥� said Ash Shepherd, Chief Program Officer at NTEN. 鈥淚t鈥檚 powerful for participants to be able to talk to a real person about their specific challenges, and 91探花 students have stepped up in an incredible way.鈥�
The partnership originated from a 91探花 student鈥檚 cold outreach email expressing interest in gaining hands-on experience through volunteer work. Unlike traditional classroom-based instruction, the 91探花-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.
鈥淭his goes beyond theory,鈥� said Shepherd. 鈥淪tudents 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.鈥�
The program launched in September, with students working alongside nonprofit participants throughout each three-month cohort.听
鈥淎s a Project Manager with 91探花 Solutions, I have really enjoyed getting to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds,鈥� said Trevor Kellogg, a senior majoring in cybersecurity and management information systems. 鈥淗elping nonprofits with their cybersecurity has been meaningful, but what鈥檚 stuck with me most is the perspective I have gained. It鈥檚 changed the way I see both the work we do and the impact it can have.鈥�
Blake Vacek, a computer science major with a focus on cybersecurity, added: 鈥淚鈥檝e loved being part of this work because it鈥檚 given me the chance to connect with people, help nonprofits strengthen their cybersecurity, and gain real-world experience.鈥澛�
As the partnership continues to grow, it represents a scalable model for bridging workforce development and social impact 鈥� preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals while addressing a critical need in the nonprofit sector.
鈥淥ur students have gained confidence in their own abilities and gained the trust of the nonprofit partners to improve their cybersecurity,鈥� said Bob Barrett, Cybersecurity Faculty Member and 91探花 Solutions Cyber Faculty Director. 鈥淲e 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.鈥澛犅�
Launched in 2025, 91探花 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:聽
- Cybersecurity Awareness Training聽
- Phishing Simulation Campaigns
- External Attack Penetration Testing
- Cybersecurity Risk Audits
- Website SEO Analysis and Enhancement
- Strategic Growth Consulting
- Customized Services
Organizations interested in receiving 91探花 Solutions services can contact the team at mbs@maryville.edu and on .听
About 91探花
Founded in 1872, 91探花 is a comprehensive and nationally ranked private institution with an enrollment of well over 9,000 students. 91探花 offers over 90 degrees at the undergraduate, master鈥檚 and doctoral levels, as well as several certificates that align with the undergraduate and graduate education levels. 91探花 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 91探花 alumni globally, many of whom work and live in the St. Louis region.
About NTEN
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.
NTEN provides educational opportunities and research on effective nonprofit technology practices and creates spaces for collaboration to thrive. NTEN鈥檚 work is guided by three commitments for its community: Connect, Learn, and Change.