University of Arizona Expands Cybersecurity Education Through High School Partnership with Chandler Unified School District
The University of Arizona celebrated a major milestone in its statewide cybersecurity education initiative on March 25, as more than 50 Chandler Unified School District students were recognized for completing the Arizona Cybersecurity Clinic. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held at Arizona College Prep High School, honored the students’ achievements and showcased the university’s growing impact on workforce readiness in Arizona.
Established by the University of Arizona in 2024, the Arizona Cybersecurity Clinic equips students with practical skills in cybersecurity through hands-on training and career-aligned coursework. Chandler Unified School District was selected as the university’s first affiliate clinic partner, reflecting a shared commitment to innovation in education and preparing Arizona’s next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Led by Paul Wagner, director of the Arizona Cybersecurity Clinic in the College of Applied Science and Technology and the Arizona Cybersecurity Academy within ICDI, this initiative aims to provide high school students with a head start in a cybersecurity career path that is currently in high demand.
What began as a modest pilot anticipating 10 to 20 students quickly grew to nearly 100 participants from CUSD. These students, ranging from freshmen to seniors, voluntarily committed time outside their regular coursework to complete the program. Each student received a certificate of completion and joined in a collective ribbon-cutting to celebrate their hard work and perseverance.
CUSD has been offering a cybersecurity Career Technical Education program at Basha High School for five years. The students in this program received free access to the Google Cybersecurity Certificate program through Coursera, an online learning platform that provides educational resources and career development opportunities.
Looking ahead, the next phase of the clinic will introduce students to the University of Arizona’s Micro-Credential in Cybersecurity Risk and Vulnerability Assessment—an advanced track that emphasizes experiential learning and direct collaboration with CUSD staff to assess cybersecurity practices in local high schools.
This partnership offers students valuable early hands-on experience in cybersecurity, empowering them and benefiting Arizona communities.