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WIU will host the WIU GenCyber Cybersecurity Camp in June 2027 after receiving an $89,401.33 GenCyber Grant. The free, hands-on camp will welcome 30 students entering grades 9–12, with a focus on introducing students from rural communities to the field of cybersecurity.
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WIU Awarded GenCyber Grant to Host Free Cybersecurity Camp for High School Students

August 31, 2026

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MACOMB, IL — Western Illinois University has been awarded an $89,401.33 GenCyber Grant to host the WIU GenCyber Cybersecurity Camp in June 2027.

The free, hands-on camp will welcome 30 students entering grades 9–12, including 15 male and 15 female participants. The program will recruit students from rural communities in Illinois and surrounding states, particularly those with little or no previous cybersecurity experience.

The WIU GenCyber Cybersecurity Camp is designed to increase students' awareness of and interest in cybersecurity careers while promoting diversity within the field. Participants will explore fundamental cybersecurity concepts, ethical decision-making, responsible digital behavior, and educational and career pathways in cybersecurity.

Through collaborative activities, students will also develop leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. The camp will provide a safe and welcoming environment in which participants can build friendships with peers who share their interests and continue developing those interests after the program concludes.

Computer Science at WIU has a strong tradition of participating in the University's annual STEM Summer Camp and introducing high school students to computing through engaging, hands-on activities. The WIU Cybersecurity Center further supports experiential learning by hosting Cybersecurity Capture the Flag competitions for undergraduate and graduate students. During these competitions, participants use computer-forensics tools to analyze digital evidence and solve challenges based on real-world cybersecurity scenarios.

Together, these activities demonstrate WIU's commitment to developing cybersecurity knowledge at multiple educational levels—from introducing high school students to the field to providing university students with opportunities to practice and demonstrate advanced technical skills.

Building on this tradition, Computer Science faculty look forward to establishing a dedicated summer program that will offer students more extensive opportunities to explore computing, cybersecurity, and related career pathways. The 2027 GenCyber Camp represents an important step toward that goal.

The grant proposal benefited from the outstanding support and collaboration of administrators and faculty in the School of Computing, Data, and Mathematical Sciences. Their contributions were instrumental in securing the award and making this new opportunity possible.

For more information about the WIU GenCyber Cybersecurity Camp, contact WIU Professors Tahir M. Khan, principal investigator and associate professor and interim director of the WIU Cybersecurity Center, at tm-khan@wiu.edu, and George Mangalaraj, co-investigator and professor of Information Systems, at G-Mangalaraj@wiu.edu.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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