Maryville University Partners with NTEN for a unique cybersecurity program
Maryville University Partners with NTEN for a unique cybersecurity program
https://www.stlmag.com/business/maryville-university-nten-cybersecurity-program/
Publish Date: 2026-05-27 06:42:00
Source Domain: www.stlmag.com
Using an unordered list, summarize the following article with between 4 and 8 key points.
Students at Maryville University have partnered up with a nonprofit tech organization to create a one-of-a-kind cybersecurity consulting program for nonprofits.
It’s a partnership between the student-led consulting initiative Maryville Solutions and NTEN. The program directly connects cybersecurity students at Maryville University, the private university in Town and Country, with nonprofit leaders across the U.S. and 16 other countries, giving the students hands-on experience navigating the complexities of real-world cybersecurity environments.
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“In today’s economy, experiential learning is no longer optional—it’s essential,” says Robyn Wand, director of Maryville Solutions. “This groundbreaking partnership is exactly the kind of win-win scenario we envisioned when we launched Maryville Solutions last year. Our students are gaining invaluable, real-world experience as cybersecurity consultants, while nonprofits gain access to personalized, high-quality support that helps them better protect their operations and the communities they serve.”
NTEN’s Nonprofit Cybersecurity Readiness Program typically serves cohorts of ranging from 20 to 100 nonprofit professionals over a three-month period, equipping them with tools and resources to strengthen their organizations’ cybersecurity posture. This year, the college students are adding a personal touch to the guidance.
“We’re always bringing in external experts, but for this cohort we wanted to create more opportunities for real, one-on-one conversations,” says Ash Shepherd, chief program officer at NTEN. “It’s powerful for participants to be able to talk to a real person about their specific challenges, and Maryville students have stepped up in an incredible way.”
Maryville Solutions, launched in 2025, is a student-led, faculty-guided consulting initiative designed to bridge classroom knowledge with real-world impact. The program currently offers a suite of professional services at an affordable rate for businesses and nonprofits, including cybersecurity awareness training, website SEO analysis and enhancement, and phishing simulation campaigns.
The partnership with NTEN, which launched in September stemmed from a Maryville student who expressed interest in gaining experience through volunteer work.
Recent Maryville graduate Trevor Kellogg, who majored in cybersecurity and management information systems, worked as a project manager during the partnership, training associates to research companies before working with them to be as efficient as possible.
His first call was for a nonprofit in Africa that helps with care for infant children if their mothers die in childbirth. He advised them on security needs and general IT structure.
“I have really enjoyed getting to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds,” Kellogg says. “Helping nonprofits with their cybersecurity has been meaningful, but what’s stuck with me most is the perspective I have gained. It’s changed the way I see both the work we do and the impact it can have.”
Kellogg and fellow student Black Vacek spoke at a dental conference for the Greater St. Louis Dental Society about cybersecurity risks in July.
Nikki Sprehe, membership director for the Great St. Louis Dental Society, praised the pair for speaking and moderating a Q&A with the dentists at their meeting.
“In the realm of things like cybersecurity and computers, that’s not necessarily all of their forte, they’re focusing on patient care,” Sprehe says of the dentists. “I think that was super helpful for them to answer all of those questions, even more so than the little brief presentation we thought was very successful, they did a great job.”
As the partnership continues to grow, it represents a scalable model for bridging workforce development and social impact, preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals while addressing critical needs in the nonprofit sector.
“Our students have gained confidence in their own abilities and gained the trust of the nonprofit partners to improve their cybersecurity,” says Bob Barrett, cybersecurity faculty member and Maryville Solutions cyber faculty director. “We look forward to continuing to deepen this partnership with NTEN, and exploring even more opportunities for our students to help mission-driven enterprises build thriving businesses and strong communities.”
