Principal Investigator: Yakira C. West
Institution: Marymount University
Degree: Doctor of Science (DSc)-Cybersecurity
Graduation (Month/Year): May 2026
Dissertation Topic: “Increasing Cybersecurity Interest and Self-Efficacy Through Youth Work-Based Learning as a Talent Development Strategy”
Program Site Location: Hutchings Career & College Academy (Location inside Central Georgia Technical College Gymnasium)
Proposed Teacher Facilitator: Chanel Simmons
Who is this program designed for?
This program seeks to target early-career-driven high school students with little-to-no knowledge looking to transition into cybersecurity as a work-based learning program that aims to help students earn industry credentials in Cybersecurity.
Program Overview and Goals
Why CODE-Y-CYBER U?
A college degree provides an advantage in the technology sector. Yet, with the rapidly evolving nature of information security, more is needed. Completing a four-year program could make a significant portion of your knowledge need to be updated. Achieving success in cybersecurity necessitates a commitment to self-directed learning and personal growth beyond traditional academic frameworks—and that commitment can start today. The preparation should commence with the essentials: the foundational hardware and software elements that constitute the contemporary internet-driven environment.
While numerous high school students demonstrate proficiency in technology, the pervasive presence of intuitive software and devices in their environments may disconnect them from the critical area where most security vulnerabilities reside. An out-of-class learning approach can yield numerous beneficial learning outcomes, such as knowledge and subject matter competence, cognitive skills and intellectual growth, psychosocial changes, attitudes and values, moral development, educational attainment, career choice and development, economic benefits, and improved quality of life post-college. Findings indicate that learning beyond the traditional classroom setting can enhance academic performance, foster better behavior in class, and increase student engagement, particularly for those who are typically difficult to engage in a conventional educational environment. A comprehensive report released by Ofsted revealed that learning beyond the classroom plays a crucial role in enhancing standards and fostering students’ personal, social, and emotional growth.
Numerous methods exist to enhance learning beyond the classroom, including boot camps, competitions, field trips, and study-abroad opportunities. These can function as an active process where students engage with genuine problems, formulate innovative hypotheses, seek natural solutions, and collaborate with others to understand the world around them. When the students engage in this process, they experience the world in its entirety and are compelled to utilize various modalities, regardless of the specific disciplinary perspectives we aim to adopt. The foundation of these experiences lies in the fundamental idea that “experience is the best teacher.” The necessity for education beyond traditional boundaries is evident, aiming to broaden cyber learning and create alternative pathways that empower diverse voices and perspectives. Additionally, it is essential to examine how out-of-class experiences influence high school students’ interest in pursuing careers in cybersecurity. The existing studies on enhancing student engagement with a bridge from cyber pedagogy expanded through experiences and knowledge acquired beyond the conventional classroom are limited and warrant further exploration and focus. Therefore, CODE-Y-CYBER-U seeks to expand your students’ Cybersecurity pedagogy through education without walls.
What is CODE-Y-CYBER-U?
CODE-Y-CYBER U is a new innovative K-12 cybersecurity initiative; it seeks to begin this pilot program sometime in August 2025 that aims to target high school students in grades 10th-12th grade. CODE-Y CYBER-U is designed to help students prepare for the SY0-701 exam. For this research, the researcher seeks to recruit fifteen students from Hutchings College & Career Academy located in the Bibb County
School District who have foundational knowledge and a proficient understanding of cybersecurity where future initiatives are expected. This initiative will consist of a work-based learning strategy by observing a train, practice, and test approach comprised in a 6-week boot camp style course, where students build
cybersecurity knowledge in specified domains by applying cybersecurity theory and strategy to real world situations. Additionally, speakers from all walks of the cybersecurity landscape will speak with the students about future opportunities, navigating career pathways in Cyber and more to ideally set the students up to be workforce ready right after graduation. Following the training and practice phases, the students will have a designated day to test for the CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701), which will then lead to the last phase, which will allow data collection covering the experiences and actions of the program. Therefore, CODE-Y-CYBER-U has partnered with CompTIA to solidify this program as an educational institution’s gateway into the cybersecurity workforce and to your students!
CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) certification
The CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) certification is a vendor-neutral certification that validates the skills needed to perform core security functions and pursue an IT security career. The CompTIA Security+ exam will certify the successful candidate has the knowledge and skills required to install and configure systems to secure applications, networks, and devices; perform threat analysis and respond with appropriate mitigation techniques; participate in risk mitigation activities; and operate with an awareness of applicable policies, laws, and regulations.
* CompTIA Security Plus SYO-701 Exam Objectives*
*Attached to email*
Federal Holiday
September 1st
Asynchronous Learning Day
September 2nd
Procedures and Activities
Phase 1: CODE-Y-CYBER-U Recruitment/Interest Session
- Principal Investigator, Yakira C. West, will meet with students for a 20-minute info session where she aims to recruit students for CODE-Y CYBER-U. The program will be introduced, along with the program’s description, timeline and student commitments towards said program.
*Can this be held during normal school hours?*
o Total Days: 1
o Total Hours: 1
Phase 2: Training: CompTIA Security +701: Boot Camp Style
- Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale [Pre-test]:
o The CDSE measures belief in ability to successfully complete tasks necessary in making career decisions.
- Training will then consist of a lecture for each of the challenge modules throughout a six-week course: Appendix A
o Total Days: 3 Days Per Week (2) Hrs Each Day= 6 Hrs
o Total Weeks: 6
o Total Hours: 36
Phase 3: Virtual Speaking Engagement:
- Cybersecurity experts, academic institutions, and government agencies like CISA and the National Security Agency will be the featured speakers in periodic ZOOM meetings during Phase 1 to discuss internships, scholarships, and other available resources. *Can this be done during school hours due to time restraints? *Possibly held in the morning.
▪ Total Days: 1
▪ Total Hours: 3
Phase 4: Certification Testing: On-Site Proctored Exam:
- *Pearson Vue Testing Center: Central Georgia Technical College*
o Group the (15) students to take exams at once.
▪ Total Days: (1) Days = Test Time: 90 minutes
▪ Total Hours: 2
Phase 5: Data Collection: Pre & Post-survey:
- Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale [Pre-test & Post-test]:
o The CDSE measures belief in ability to successfully complete tasks necessary in making career decisions.
o *Pre-test will be given on the first day of Phase 2: Training*
▪ Total Hours: 2 Hours
Phase 6: Student Testimonials [Optional]:
- The objective of these video recordings is to provide a comprehensive demonstration of the program, emphasizing its features and advantages, addressing potential student concerns , illustrating real-life usage scenarios, including student testimonials, and ultimately seeking to motivate consumers to engage with the program by instilling a sense of urgency and delivering a persuasive call to action, all condensed into a brief 3-5-minute educational infomercial. This infomercial will be strictly for research and advertising purposes only. Therefore, limited time will be allocated to individual students, focusing instead on the group as a whole.
- Total Hours: 2 Hours
- Can this be held during normal school hours?
Total Number of Hours Estimated: 46 Hours
Projected Dates & Times
*These Dates must be met in order to meet needs of research*
August 25th– October 3rd
I request to facilitate this program as an after-school program.
*Asynchronous Days: Student’s connect via online sessions*
Phase 1: Recruitment/Interest Session: August 11th
Phase 2: Training/Practice: August 25 -September 25th
Phase 3: Virtual Speaking Engagement: September 26th
Phase 4: Certification Testing: October 1st
Phase 5: Data Collection: October 2nd
Phase 6: Student Testimonials: October 3rd: [Optional]
Projected Learning Environments
➢ Phase 1: Recruitment/Interest Session
o In-Person
▪ Classroom
➢ Phase 2: Training Sessions
o In-Person and Online [Asynchronous Days]
▪ Auditorium (Small)
➢ Phase 3: Virtual Speaking Engagement
o In-Person
▪ Auditorium (Small)
➢ Phase 4: Testing Sessions: [CompTIA Security+ (SY0-701) certification]
o Onsite Exam
▪ Central GA Technical College: Pearson Vue Testing Center ➢ Phase 5: Data Collection:
o In-Person
▪ Computer Lab/Auditorium/Conference Room
➢ Phase 6: Student Testimonials:
o In-Person
▪ Conference Room
▪ [OPTIONAL]
Projected Expenses
Program Site Location:
Hutchings College and Career Academy
Teacher Facilitator: Total Cost: $920 Chanel Simmons: $20.00 Per Hour
Alternate Instructor: $20.00 Per Hour
Total number of Hours Needed: (46)
➢ Phase 1: Recruitment/Interest Session: Total Cost: $0.00 ➢ Phase 2 & 4: Training & Testing Total Cost: $ 4,904.40 o Student Test Vouchers: Cost: $262.00
o Student Book Expenses: $44.99
o Electronic Notebook: RocketBook: $19.97
➢ Phase 3: Virtual Speaking Engagement Total Cost: $ 200.00 o Food/Drinks: $200
➢ Phase 5: Data Collection: Total Cost: $990.00 o Manual: $50.00
o Individual Report: Short Form: $420.00
o Group Report: Short Form: $300
o Transform Survey Hosting: Short Form (Data): $82.50
o License to Administer: $137.50
➢ Phase 6: Student Testimonials: [Optional] Total Cost: $ 1500.00
o Gift Card: $100 [Compensation for Participation]
Total Expenses: $8, 514.40
