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MST students showcase Trocaire College cybersecurity partnership as district considers expansion
Summary
MST High School students and staff described a five-day Trocaire College cybersecurity camp that produced hands‑on training, seven transferable credits for participants and student-led solutions; Principal Danielle Womack and student representative Rehan Rashid urged the Buffalo school board to expand cybersecurity offerings across the district.
MST High School on Wednesday highlighted a five-day cybersecurity partnership with Trocaire College and urged Buffalo Public Schools to expand similar programs districtwide. Principal Danielle Womack told the Buffalo Board of Education that the program moved students from CSI to an LSI designation and provided dual-credit and AP opportunities while exposing students to real-world cybersecurity work.
The principal said students took a five-day, immersive camp at Trocaire College where they worked with industry professionals and completed coursework that earned them college credits. "My students got to apply real world problems to knowledge that they learned over several days," Womack said, adding that the experience produced engaged learners and teacher-led mentorships that will support asynchronous follow-up courses.
Student Rehan Rashid, who serves as MST student government president and the board's student representative, described the camp as a "bridge between high school and college," saying attendees completed hands-on challenges and enrolled in two online classes that yielded seven transferable credits. "If programs like this can thrive at MST and Bennett, why not expand them to every high school?" Rashid told the board.
The board watched a short video showcasing camp activities and heard several student testimonials about the modern campus environment, real-world problem solving and strengthened technical skills. MST credited staff members Christina Torres and Raymond Farrell and partners Sanjay Galani and Bill Russo for organizing transportation, mentorship and the asynchronous follow-up coursework.
Trocaire College and a regional sponsor, Black Passport Group, were acknowledged for their technical support; district staff said the camp did not cost the district money and relied on partner resources. Board members and the superintendent praised the students and staff for the work and asked staff to share contact information and program materials for the record.
Next step: Students and staff asked the superintendent’s office to explore scaling the partnership; the board heard a request that district leadership "help bring cybersecurity education to all high schools," and staff said they will follow up with program details and the monitoring calendar deadlines.
