|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Stillman College recently announced a significant $1 million contribution from Google in memory of the late Dr. Kevin Lamar Harris, a beloved member of the Stillman community and a visionary in the field of public interest cybersecurity.
Harris, who served as executive director of the HBCU Cybersecurity Clinic at Stillman College, died Oct. 5. He was 50 years old.
“Dr. Harris’s untimely passing is a tremendous loss for Stillman and the HBCU Community,” said Dr. Yolanda W. Page, Stillman College President. “He was a trailblazer in establishing a cybersecurity clinic at Stillman. However, he didn’t just stop with Stillman, he also helped other HBCUs establish clinics on their campuses. We pledge to continue the work he started with the Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics so that his work and legacy live on. We are thankful to Google for this gift to honor his legacy here at Stillman College.”
In recognition of Dr. Harris’s legacy, Google has committed the $1 million gift to further strengthen the cybersecurity programs he championed. This contribution includes resources to support the transition of cybersecurity initiatives at Stillman and establish a merit-based scholarship for students participating in our cybersecurity clinic. This scholarship will be named in Dr. Harris’s honor and serve as an enduring testament to his dedication to student success and educational advancement.
“We are deeply grateful to Google for their support and commitment to helping Stillman honor Dr. Harris’s work and vision. This gift is a meaningful tribute to his contributions and will ensure his impact continues to inspire future generations of Stillman students,” said Kimberly Woodard, Stillman College vice president for institutional advancement.
The most recent Google gift was first announced during the Alabama Power Foundation Community Giving event. Stillman College and Google began its strategic partnership in 2023 to advance cybersecurity education and community outreach when Stillman was announced as a recipient of a $500,000 grant from Google’s Cybersecurity Clinics Fund. This funding is earmarked to cultivate a diverse cadre of cybersecurity professionals and to bolster the cyber defense measures of surrounding community organizations.
“Dr. Harris played a pivotal role in Google’s decision to provide $500,000 to Stillman College in support of the first cybersecurity clinic at an HBCU,” said Maab Ibrahim, Cybersecurity Lead at Google.org, Google’s philanthropy. “His leadership inspired and facilitated our funding for additional clinics at Minority-Serving Institutions across the Consortium, which now includes four other HBCUs, as well as tribal and women-serving colleges — a legacy that will forever honor his memory.”
Harris committed his work to developing a pipeline into the workforce and supporting small- to mid-sized, minority-owned organizations. He launched Stillman College’s cybersecurity clinic in 2022, becoming the first Historically Black College or University (HBCU) to adopt the clinic model. Stillman College became an example for others as Harris mentored other small, liberal arts and minority-focused institutions to open Consortium of Cybersecurity Clinics.
