JBU to accelerate cybersecurity program with $6.5M Walton grant

John Brown University will accelerate the growth of its cybersecurity program and help develop local talent to meet workforce needs with a $6.5 million grant from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation in Bentonville.

According to a Tuesday (Jan. 9) news release, the money will establish an endowment with $3 million designated to fund student scholarships, $2 million for technology and $1.5 million for a full-time program faculty.

“There is a critical need for cybersecurity professionals in Arkansas,” said JBU President Chip Pollard. “JBU undergraduate and master-level students will benefit greatly from the dedicated faculty, the up-to-date software and hardware, and the scholarships this generous grant provides.”

In 2020, JBU became the only university in Northwest Arkansas to offer a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. The program has approximately doubled its student numbers each fall, growing from two undergraduates in 2020 to 21 (16 traditional students, five online) in the current academic year.

“JBU’s holistic approach to education empowers our graduates to master not just the technical knowledge but also develop the ability to solve problems, think critically and communicate thoughtfully,” said Ted Song, chief innovation officer at JBU. “Industry leaders tell us that JBU graduates have the soft skills that make them great leaders as they grow in the profession.”

JBU’s bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity is available in the university’s traditional on-campus program and a fully online format designed for working adults.

While studying in person on JBU’s main campus in Siloam Springs, students take some online cybersecurity classes taught by Bluefield University faculty. A Christian university located in Virginia, Bluefield’s proximity to federal agencies allows professors to teach about cybersecurity from relevant experience. The institution has been nationally recognized as one of the 15 Cyber Centers of Excellence by Cybint and integrates faith and learning just like JBU.

JBU also offers MBA and M.S. programs in cybersecurity, which students can start during their undergraduate studies and complete in just one additional year through JBU’s accelerated master’s program.

Song says the 4+1 academic track has been vital in recruiting high school students interested in this growing industry.

The $6.5 million grant is the second-largest gift to JBU’s Steadfast Faith capital campaign. The campaign seeks to strengthen JBU’s mission for the future by raising $100 million for academic programs, construction projects, scholarships and operations.

To date, JBU has received $67 million from donors.