Spelman College Opens Cybersecurity Clinic to Strengthen Community Security and Prepare Future Tech Leaders

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Brijea Daniel, 470.733.7036, brijeadaniel@spelman.edu

Funded by a $1 Million Google.org Grant, the Clinic Advances Cybersecurity Education and Expands Access to Critical Digital Security Resources

ATLANTA (October 27, 2026) – The Spelman College Computer and Information Sciences Department recently hosted the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Spelman Cybersecurity Clinic, also known as The SPEAR (Security Plan, Education, Assessment, and Remediation). The clinic will provide cybersecurity services to community organizations, including small businesses, nonprofits, cities and towns and more, while giving students real-world cybersecurity experience.

The idea for the cybersecurity clinic grew from a collaboration between Raquel Hill, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at Spelman, and Kerry Hixon, director of cybersecurity and I.T. compliance at Spelman. The clinic was developed through a $1 million grant from Google.org as part of a $25 million collaboration with the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, an international network of university-based cybersecurity clinics and allies working to advance cybersecurity education for public good.

“This clinic directly embodies Spelman’s core mission and strategic vision. Through SPEAR, Spelman is not merely participating in the tech landscape; we’re actively shaping and securing it,” said Spelman President Ayanna Howard during her remarks at the grant opening. “Spelman is committed to evolving our academic pedagogy, equipping students with career ready consulting skills, and modernizing our digital infrastructure, and SPEAR fulfills that promise.”

According to the World Economic Forum's 2026 Global Risks Report, cyber insecurity remains one of the top 10 global risks over the next two and 10 years. Currently, there are nearly 515,000 open cybersecurity jobs available in the U.S, including over 17,000 in Georgia.

The Spelman Cybersecurity Clinic launched as part of the College’s annual Geek Week. Sponsored by the Computer & Information Sciences Department, this year’s Geek Week focused on a future-ready cybersecurity workforce with speakers, panel discussions, formal meetings and more.

“Computers and their applications touch almost every aspect of our lives, including banking, retail, water systems, transportation, agriculture and power production. Our well-being and livelihood depend on these services being available and usable,” said Dr. Hill. “Spelman is preparing the next generation of Cybersecurity experts to assess and remediate risks in our current digital environments and to design and implement a more secure future for all.”

Spelman is one of 49 clinics in the U.S. and one of 15 new clinics recently launched at higher education institutions across the country. To learn more about the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics, visit cybersecurityclinics.org.