UC student explores rare opportunity in cybersecurity studies
Scholarship enables political science major to broaden academic horizons
Jacob Lesick came to UC’s political science program to change the world and serve his community. Coming from the small town of Rossford, Ohio, Lesick did not intend to enroll in UC after high school but changed his mind after visiting the university.
UC political science major Jacob Lesick. Photo Credit/Provided
"Cincinnati was a really big eye opener. This was a once-in-a-lifetime chance; I really liked it here at UC and I wanted to go here,” said Lesick.
The third-year political science major studies economics and war, peace, and security. Lesick has been interested in history and political science since high school and found the latter to be his passion.
”I really want to help make the world a better place, and I really think political science is the way to do that.”
Like many university students, Lesick was searching for new opportunities in his initial years at UC. His professor of international law and organizations class, Albert Klein, mentioned the Cybercorps Scholarship for Service program. The program’s goal is to develop future cybersecurity professionals while they are in school, and after graduation, work for any level of government.
The university received a $4 million dollar grant to fund the program, after being recognized for the cybersecurity pathway in UC's College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services (CECH). The program is primarily for CECH students studying the science of information technology. As a political science major, this is out of Lesick's wheelhouse.
"I will give it a shot and see where it takes me. I want to work with the government after school anyways and this will be a good pathway to that.”
A unique Cybercorps scholar
UC political science student Jacob Lesick. Photo Credit/Provided
During the application, Lesick made an impression on principal investigator ChengCheng Li, observing that “cybersecurity is starting to intersect with foreign affairs and security.”
With this in his favor, Lesick was selected for the Cybercorps program and began the scholarship in Spring 2023. In his scholarship, Lesick attends monthly meetings with about 15-20 other recipients and discusses their findings and experiences.
Although his input may prove vital for the development of him and his fellow scholarship recipients, there are some challenges. Mainly, Lesick is one of two Arts and Sciences scholarship recipients, and the only student without a background in cybersecurity.
"Sometimes it is hard to understand what they are talking about [technical jargon].”
This has not stopped him being a contributing member, however. Lesick received an opportunity to work with the Ohio Cyber Range Institute, based in UC Digital Futures, in summer 2023. There, Lesick helped the group simulate a volunteer militia in a cyber strategy exercise with reserves of the Ohio National Guard. The four-day exercise tested the cyber strategy and effectiveness of the volunteers, with results sent to the national guard.
An opportunity such as this only scratches the surface of what Jacob plans to experience, as the program offers professional development, job fairs, and job affairs near graduation.
Everybody has the chance to change the world in the way they want.
Jacob Lesick UC political science major
Potential for impact
Now, Lesick continues his studies and works for UC's School for Public and International Affairs (SPIA) in research, and the center for cyber strategy. Through his short tenure as a CyberCorps scholar, he has added a foreign intelligence perspective and found opportunities he may never have had if he went to a different institution.
His work continues to have a lasting impact now in Ohio’s pursuit of a safe cyber world. Besides all the benefits of CyberCorps, Lesick values his newfound perspective of taking a chance.
"I frequently recall looking at some really big opportunities and thinking, 'I did not think I could qualify for [those].' I regret not pursuing those. I wish I realized I should still submit and try for these opportunities,” said Lesick.
Featured image at top: Programmers at work. Credit/Sigmund for Unsplash.
Related Stories
History Department Lecture
January 9, 2002
Lecture by Allan W. Winkler, Miami University, Oxford on "Urban America in World War II: Cincinnati as an example" at the Cincinnati Museum Center at 7:30pm.
UC Research Ranking Climbs
January 10, 2002
The University of Cincinnati moved up in two different national rankings established by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to compare college and university research efforts.
History Department Lecture
January 17, 2002
Lecture by Leslie Adelson, Cornell University, will deliver a Taft lecture titled "Back to the Future and Beyond 'Two Worlds':Turkish Lines of Thought in Contemporary German Literature and Memory Work" at 3:00pm in the Max Kade German Cultural Center in Old Chemistry.
New Appointments in McMicken Administration
January 21, 2002
The college is very pleased to announce two new appointments.
Sign Up for the Discovering A&S Elective
January 24, 2002
Parent's Asking, "What does someone do with THAT major?" Don't know all your options? Sign up for a 2 credit hour elective where you can meet A&S faculty, emeriti faculty, as well as, alumni.
Three of Four UC Fulbrights Scholars from McMicken
January 28, 2002
Tainted water supplies in Bangladesh, international security and missile defense, transformations in Mexico and greater understanding of India - this varied list sums up the work of four Fulbright Scholars at the University of Cincinnati who are concentrating on real-life issues involving our neighbors around the world.
Prominent Line-Up Examines Race in 2002 Ropes Series
January 31, 2002
The issue of race will receive one of the most intensive examinations undertaken in Cincinnati since the April riots when the University of Cincinnati Department of English launches its Ropes series in January and February 2002.
Nominate a Distinguished Alumni
January 31, 2002
The Purpose of the Distinguished Alumni Awards is to recognize graduates of the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences for outstanding achievements.
UC Physicists Play Important Role in Experiments That Provided New Understanding of Neutrinos
January 31, 2002
Three physicists at the University of Cincinnati played a key role in recent experiments which provided a surprising new understanding of a tiny subatomic particle known as the neutrino.
Angelene Jamison-Hall: Publishing Award
February 13, 2002
An unpublished novel by Angelene Jamison-Hall won first place in the new writing contest sponsored by River View Publishing in Riverside, Iowa.