Undergraduate Projects

The CCI is an exemplar of the Cal Poly Learn by Doing ethos. Our work begins and ends with Cal Poly students and accelerating their futures to be day one ready for the workforce. We do this by facilitating Earn By Doing, industry focused projects, and the Day One Ready Fund.  

This is accomplished through the support of private industry partners, foundations, and individuals.  

Past Undergraduate Projects 

National Guard Cyber Protection Teams as a Response to Cybersecurity Threats

Student Authors: Alex Ebrahimi, Samantha Tiscareño, Maria Elmjouie, Madalyn Vieira, Jake Watkins

Faculty Authors: Anika Leithner, Elizabeth A. Lowham

June 2020 

Undergraduate Projects Initiatives 

Earn By Doing 

Support Cal Poly students as they work and train at the Cal Poly California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI). All Student-Assistant positions exemplify Cal Poly’s ‘Learn by Doing’ pedagogy. The CCI prioritizes recruiting from a diverse group of candidates and includes positions open to all majors. Through Earn by Doing positions, students gain valuable leadership and communication skills in addition to mastering technical skills learned in the classroom. 

Industry Focused Projects 

The CCI prioritizes helping Cal Poly students be exposed to real problems in the real world. Industry partners are invited to support Cal Poly students (and faculty) to address a challenge. The purpose of this fund is to directly aid costs incurred for projects, including up to senior projects or master's theses projects. 

Day One Ready Fund 

This fund provides support for student opportunities outside of their academics. Whether it is supporting access to industry approved trainings or helping cover student and staff costs for attendance to national conferences, this fund is an investment in creating a Day One Ready workforce. 

Our work is only possible because of the support we get from our generous community of supporters — thank you for your past and future support.