{"id":219430,"date":"2025-07-31T10:42:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T20:42:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=219430"},"modified":"2025-07-31T10:42:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T20:42:09","slug":"local-teens-cybersecurity-college-credit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/07\/31\/local-teens-cybersecurity-college-credit\/","title":{"rendered":"Cracking the code: Local teens learn cybersecurity, earn college credit at Leeward CC<\/abbr>"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"Students<\/p>\n

With cybersecurity skills in high demand, 20 local high school students got a head start this summer by completing a free college-level course at Leeward Community College. Over eight weeks, ICS<\/abbr> 171: Introduction to Computer Security students learned about network security, cryptography and ethical hacking.<\/p>\n

“This course made a field that once felt out of reach accessible,” said Antonio Gonzalez, a student at Leilehua High School. “Now that I have a better understanding of cybersecurity, I realize it\u2019s something I can apply in my programming and even consider as a career path.”<\/p>\n

\"Students<\/p>\n

Mentors and role models<\/h2>\n

Students engaged with professionals such as Brandon Lester, president of the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>, and Tess Schwalger, executive assistant to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, who shared real-world insights into cybersecurity careers.<\/p>\n

“We invest in mentors, guest speakers and role models so students can envision themselves in these roles,” said Jennifer Sabas, Pacific Intelligence and Innovation Initiative<\/a> (P3I<\/abbr>) co-lead. “It\u2019s so important they know they have what it takes to be successful.”<\/p>\n

Tedi Kam-Yahata, P3I<\/abbr>\u2019s K–12 lead, added, “To be successful, we knew we needed to start in the high schools, finding different ways to support career pathways.” <\/p>\n

The class also took field trips to the Hitachi Rail operations center and the Naval Information Warfare Center in Pearl City, witnessing firsthand how cyber defense protects vital infrastructure.<\/p>\n

“I highly recommend taking this course,” said Riley Allen, a Radford High School student. “Even if you don\u2019t have that expertise, you can get beginner-level knowledge of it.”<\/p>\n

\"student<\/p>\n

Cybersecurity credentials<\/h2>\n

The three-credit course was a partnership between Leeward CC<\/abbr>\u2019s Information and Computer Sciences<\/a> program and the P3I<\/abbr>. It concluded on July 24, with a certificate presentation ceremony.<\/p>\n

P3I<\/abbr> also covered the cost of CompTIA Security+ exam vouchers, a widely recognized cybersecurity credential. One student passed the exam before the course ended.<\/p>\n

Leeward CC<\/abbr> plans to offer the course again next summer.<\/p>\n

“Our goal is to give students a taste of college so that enrolling later feels less intimidating,” said William Albritton, Leeward CC<\/abbr> professor and division chair.<\/p>\n

—by Kaila Nishi and Devon Bedoya<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Teens tackle tech challenges, connect with experts and earn industry credentials.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":219434,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[749,65,71],"class_list":["post-219430","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-academic-news","tag-cybersecurity","tag-leeward-community-college","tag-uh-community-colleges","entry","has-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t