AT&T continues to support CybHER initiatives

June 30, 2021

Long-term partnership develops workplace skills

AT&T’s long-term support of the Dakota State University CybHER program is continuing for a fifth consecutive year. The media company has donated $15,000 this year to the cybersecurity outreach efforts at DSU.

AT&T began supporting CybHER in 2017. The company appreciated the mission of the program, which is to empower, motivate, and educate girls in cybersecurity. This aligns with AT&T’s educational initiatives and matches the company’s efforts to help students develop 21st-century skills, which will build a workforce for the nation.

“Women are underrepresented in STEM fields, but initiatives such as CybHER can spark an interest in STEM education and maybe encourage them to pursue STEM-related careers,” Cheryl Riley, President, AT&T Northern Plains. 

“Because of support from dedicated partners like AT&T, we have been able to impact over 28,000 girls – and boys -- since CybHER began in 2013,” said CybHER co-founder, Dr. Ashley Podhradsky.

“With their help, we can inspire students to consider careers in technology, and to understand and apply safe practices in their everyday lives.” Podhradsky is also vice president for Research and Economic Development at Dakota State.

In 2018 and 2019, the donation helped fund a camp for high school junior and senior girls, Rocket Girls Fueled by AT&T. These camps were canceled in 2020 and 2021, so the donation will be used for other program features, which include school visits, breaker days, CybHER Conversations, the CybHER YouTube channel, and virtual and in-person cyber camps.

“We have had such a great relationship with DSU and have seen first-hand how the CybHER program empowers and inspires young women to embrace technology,” said Riley. “It’s so rewarding to hear from these students after they’ve participated in the program and how excited they are about their projects.”