Spelman College Opens New Cybersecurity Clinic
The clinic provides students with hands-on consulting experience while supporting local community digital infrastructure.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Scholarships
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Spelman College has opened The SPEAR, a new cybersecurity clinic in Atlanta that provides digital security services to local nonprofits and small businesses. The facility offers students hands-on training to build career-ready consulting skills.
Why it matters
The clinic helps modernize the digital infrastructure of community organizations while providing students with practical experience in a high-demand career field. This initiative bridges the gap between classroom instruction and real-world cybersecurity application.
The clinic received $1 million in grant funding from Google, which is part of a larger $25 million collaboration with the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics. The project is one of 15 new facilities launched at higher education institutions, bringing the national count to 49.
The players
Spelman College
A private, liberal arts, historically Black women's college located in Atlanta.
A technology company providing grant funding to support educational and community digital infrastructure projects.
Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics
A national network supporting the development of higher education cybersecurity facilities.
Raquel Hill
An academic and lead developer of the clinic's operational framework.
Kerry Hixon
An academic and lead developer of the clinic's operational framework.
The details
Students work directly within the clinic to gain cybersecurity experience and provide digital infrastructure consulting to local partners. Developed by Raquel Hill and Kerry Hixon, the clinic functions as a resource for nonprofits and small businesses that need secure digital systems. The operational model ensures that participants develop specialized skills in a professional setting while supporting the Atlanta community.
Timeline
October 2026: Spelman College opened the new cybersecurity clinic.
Education Landscape
The expansion of these facilities follows a broader trend of colleges integrating career-ready consulting into the undergraduate experience. Spelman College now operates as part of a national network of 49 clinics, marking a significant step in the regional effort to address digital security gaps.
Students at Spelman College interested in gaining professional digital security experience can explore volunteer or academic opportunities within The SPEAR. Aspiring cybersecurity professionals should monitor their department's internship and clinic schedules to align their course load with these hands-on opportunities.
The takeaway
The addition of this clinic provides a vital link between campus learning and regional digital safety needs. Students looking for career-ready skills should consult their academic department to see if they are eligible to participate in current clinic projects.
Further reading
For more information on programs supporting student experiential learning and financial assistance, visit our Scholarships page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education.
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