Cyber Policy Student Fellow Program

 

Program Description

The Cyber Policy Student Fellow Program is a premier interdisciplinary initiative of the FAMU Cyber Policy Institute designed to develop future leaders in cyber policy, cybersecurity governance, artificial intelligence ethics, and digital rights. Open to undergraduate and graduate students from all majors, the program provides rigorous academic training, professional mentorship, and real-world problem-solving experiences.

A distinctive feature of the fellowship is its strong integration with industry partners, giving students hands-on opportunities to work directly with corporations, government agencies, research labs, and technology innovators. Through these partnerships, Student Fellows identify emerging challenges, develop applied solutions, and test their ideas using industry-aligned methods and tools. Students graduate with both academic depth and workplace-ready skills, positioning them for competitive careers in cyber policy and AI governance.

Purpose of the Program

The Cyber Policy Student Fellow Program aims to:

  • Build a diverse talent pipeline prepared for careers in cyber policy, AI governance, digital ethics, and technology leadership.
  • Provide experiential learning that blends technical literacy, ethical frameworks, and public policy analysis.
  • Strengthen student capacity to identify, develop, and apply industry solutions to real-world cyber policy and technology challenges.
  • Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration that addresses the human, cultural, legal, and global dimensions of technology.
  • Position FAMU as a national model for ethical, human-centered cyber policy education.

Program Goals

  1. Develop Student Expertise
    Equip students with knowledge and practical skills in cyber policy, digital ethics, data governance, and AI literacy.
  2. Promote Interdisciplinary Collaboration
    Unite students from STEM, business, social sciences, humanities, and law to produce innovative solutions to cyber-enabled challenges.
  3. Enhance Workforce Readiness Through Hands-On Industry Engagement
    Provide meaningful interactions with industry partners so students can analyze real problems, develop applied solutions, and implement best practices used by professionals.
  4. Support Ethical Leadership and Human-Centered Innovation
    Instill a commitment to moral responsibility, accountability, and equity in technology development and policy design.
  5. Advance Research, Creativity, and Innovation
    Engage students in faculty-led and industry-supported research projects, policy development initiatives, and innovation challenges.

Student Fellow Responsibilities

Student Fellows will:

  • Participate in workshops, policy labs, and intensive training sessions hosted by the Institute and industry partners.
  • Collaborate with industry leaders to identify real-world cyber policy problems and co-create applied, standards-aligned solutions.
  • Contribute to interdisciplinary research, policy briefs, digital tools, or innovation projects.
  • Support outreach efforts that promote digital citizenship, ethical AI awareness, and cybersecurity best practices.
  • Present research or applied project outcomes during the annual Cyber Policy Institute Student Showcase.
  • Serve as ambassadors who advocate for responsible technology use across campus and the broader community.

Program Benefits

Student Fellows will receive:

  • Direct hands-on experience with industry partners, including access to tools, data, innovation challenges, and mentorship from leading corporations, agencies, and technology experts.
  • Professional development in cyber policy, AI governance, digital ethics, and emerging technology standards.
  • Priority consideration for internships, externships, and workforce opportunities with partnering organizations.
  • Networking opportunities with national and international leaders across technology, law, government, and academia.
  • Leadership training focused on ethical decision-making, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Recognition as a distinguished Cyber Policy Student Fellow.

Eligibility

Open to:

  • Undergraduate and graduate students from all academic disciplines
  • Students committed to innovation, ethical technology use, and policy leadership
  • Individuals with an interest in cybersecurity, AI, ethics, law, policy, business, sociology, psychology, or related fields
  • Students with a minimum 3.0 GPA (or institutionally adjusted requirements)

Program Structure

  • Duration: One academic year (renewable)
  • Cohort Size: 6 students per year
  • Core Components:
    • Industry-engaged projects and problem-solving
    • Policy workshops and applied labs
    • Research collaborations with faculty and professional fellows
    • Participation in outreach and campus-wide AI ethics initiatives
    • Capstone project or applied solution presented at the annual showcase

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, Student Fellows will be able to:

  • Demonstrate knowledge of national and international cyber policy frameworks.
  • Apply ethical reasoning to AI and cybersecurity decision-making.
  • Work collaboratively with industry partners to design and implement real-world technology solutions.
  • Conduct interdisciplinary research and communicate complex policy ideas.
  • Demonstrate workforce-ready skills in policy analysis, technology literacy, and ethical leadership.

Program Impact

The program strengthens FAMU’s national leadership by:

  • Producing graduates who can bridge technical and non-technical disciplines
  • Equipping students with industry-aligned, hands-on experience
  • Advancing ethical, human-centered approaches to cyber governance and AI policy
  • Building a model pipeline for diverse cyber policy leaders across government, academia, and industry