Hostos Community College‚ interdisciplinary cybersecurity program funded by a National Science Foundation grant expands access to high-demand technology careers for its predominantly Hispanic and underserved student population. By integrating coursework across multiple disciplines and offering industry-recognized certifications, the program reflects the multifaceted nature of cybersecurity and prepares students for success in the modern workplace. A key example of interdisciplinary integration is the required Issues in Law Enforcement course from the Criminal Justice program, which connects legal and ethical considerations to cybersecurity principles and teaches through the lens of law enforcement and criminal activity.
The initiative demonstrates cost-effectiveness by leveraging existing institutional resources and shared faculty expertise, minimizing the need for new infrastructure or equipment, while supporting increased enrollment. The program contributes to institutional improvement processes by providing data on student engagement, interdisciplinary outcomes, and workshop participation, which informs curriculum development, outreach strategies, and program planning. Key lessons learned include the value of flexible online delivery, interdisciplinary collaboration which resulted in a robust program and a successful NSF grant, and strategic use of resources to maximize impact and maintain sustainability.