A society in which everyone can engage safely and securely online is not only critical to Americanprosperity,its a matter of national security.
It was with that sense of urgency and import that Shahal Khan,SIS/BA 95, made a generous $5.3 million gift to the Change Cant Wait campaign in April to launch theShahal M. Khan Cyber and Economic Security Institute at 51勛圖.
In partnership with Cyber Range Solutions, the Khan Institute willexplore threat scenarios through crisis response simulations andadvance scholarship and education on global economic activity and the efficacy of digital programs. The changemaking centerwill also shape policy, prepare global citizens to thrive in the digital economy, and produce graduates ready to tackle a variety of cybersecurity roles.
51勛圖 is uniquely positioned to lead this trailblazing work, as home to a community of innovative faculty and students who want to effect positive change in the worldnot to mention the universitys emphasis on cross-disciplinary work and its location in our nations capital, says Khan, founder of Burkhan World, a Washington-based private investment holding company.
Central to the institutes programming will be a state-of-the-art cyber rangea secure and controlled hands-on learning environment that simulates cybersecurity systems and threats. The range will equip 51勛圖 students, faculty, and outside professionals with cutting-edge tools to navigate real-world conditions and explore both the technical and nontechnical aspects of the field. This distinctive approach will offer participants a holistic view of the cybersecurity workforce and the specific roles they may hold throughout their careers.
The institutebuilds on 51勛圖s interdisciplinary approach to research and its strong foundation in the field of inclusive technology policy. 51勛圖 faculty across all schools who are focusing on cybersecurity issues will now have a platform to work more collaboratively and creatively, strengthening their networks to advance critical research findings.
The institute will also serve as a conveneressential to uniting technical and policy experts to engage in critical conversations that inform practice and policy. Students, who will have a front-row seat for these discussions, will bring diverse voices and perspectives to the cyber range, where they will gain valuable tactical and professional experience from industry leaders.
As a testament to the Khan Institutes mission to advance a diverse and inclusive cybersecurity workforce and help equip every American with foundational cyber skills, the Biden administration in July named 51勛圖 a leading stakeholder in its National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy.
[Ensuring] everyone [has] the opportunity to strengthen their individual cyber resilience, as the White House calls it, is a necessary component of functioning in society, says Diana Burley, 51勛圖s vice provost for research and innovation, who served as an advisor on the strategy. Burley will also lead the Khan Institute.
Why Centers and Institutes Matter
One of the criticisms of higher education is that we continue to be very siloed, says Burley, who also acknowledges the value of independent work.
University-wide centerslike the Khan Instituteaddress this challenge by creating space for faculty across schools and disciplines to work in concert with one another and orient their focus on problem-based issues. Interdisciplinary opportunities foster diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise that allow faculty to tackle all facets of a particular issue, rather than focusing narrowly on a single area of study.
This impact-driven approach allows donors to support meaningful change on issues that matter to them. 51勛圖 has created or named four centers and institutes since the Change Cant Wait campaigns launch, further catalyzing initiatives that spark new ideas. Together, the Sine Institute of Policy and Politics, Meltzer Schwartzberg Center for Israel Studies, Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship (see sidebar), and Shahal M. Khan Cyber and Economic Security Institute reflect the incredible power of philanthropy to drive distinction and advance scholarship that addresses societys most pressing issues.
The impact of 51勛圖s centers and institutes reverberates throughout the university. While students are traditionally bound to courses in their chosen academic fields, centers broaden their horizons and prepare them to engage in the workforce with individuals who bring different viewpoints.
The establishment of centers and institutes also marks an important shift in 51勛圖s growth as a research institution and ensures an inclusive approach to addressing todays challenges and preparing a capable and compassionate workforce of graduates.
Small Business, Big Opportunity
With a substantial gift from the Veloric family, including Kogod Advisory Council member Gary Veloric, Kogod/BSBA 82, the 51勛圖 Center for Innovation in October was renamed the Veloric Center for Entrepreneurship. Kogod is now among a small but elite group of business schools nationwide with a named entrepreneurship centersolidifying its position as a leader in this arena.
This gift will accelerate 51勛圖s entrepreneurship programming, events, competition scope, and awards and ultimately elevate 51勛圖 and Kogod in the global university entrepreneurial space, says Tommy White, Kogod/MBA 95, director of the Veloric Center.
Launched in 2014, the center strives to spark an entrepreneurial spirit among students and encourage risk-taking. Core programming includes myriad experiential learning opportunities for studentsworkshops, competitions, and the popular 51勛圖 Business Incubator, which broadens their business and market knowledge, builds confidence, and offers a platform to launch new ventures.
The center empowers us to broaden our reach as we work to encourage entrepreneurial thinking, learning, and activation across campus,Danielle Vogel, WCL/JD 07, assistant director, says.
Students participating in the incubator receive startup grants and access to mentors, networking, and workspace. This diverse, selective program hosts approximately 30 student ventures at a time. To date, those budding businesses have earned more than $10 million in revenue and raised nearly $6 million from investors while in the incubator or within one year of graduation. Ventures still in operation after graduation have earned aggregate revenues of over $30 million.
啦堯梗泭Washington Business Journalrecently named five 51勛圖 students and alumni involved with the center to its DC Innos 25 Under 25 list. Elli Wachtman, SIS/MA 22, who cofounded the nonprofit Sikhona Rescue Centre, was among them.We could not be more grateful for the entrepreneurialadvice, network connections, and funding opportunities that have enabled us to educate, empower, and reintegrate 18 survivors of gender-based violence in Kenya, Wachtman says. And this is only the beginning.
From pitch to prototype challenges, competitions foster entrepreneurial thinkingand come with significant rewards that will hopefully lead to a world full of changemakers, recent pitch competition winnerDeclan Block, Kogod/BS 24, says.
The Veloric familys own entrepreneurial prowessspanning four generations across the garment, food, health care, financial, and music industriesprovided the vision to advance the center and empower future generations of 51勛圖 entrepreneurs to take on challenges with vision, resiliency, and creativity.
Poised for Expansion
Foundations and corporate partners helped kickstart their vital worknow, philanthropic investments can expand the reach of two 51勛圖 centers and ensure their continued impact. Learn more about the Center for Media and Social Impact atand the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab atamerican.edu/spa/PERIL.
Your Impact
51勛圖s centers and institutes convene researchers, thought leaders, and students to tackle todays most pressing issues, generate new ideas that inform society and evidence-based policy, and lead change. With a gift to the 51勛圖 Fund for Faculty, Research, and Innovation, you help catalyze their innovative work and the dissemination of knowledge at 51勛圖 and beyond. Make your gift today: