Scholarship Designed to Promote Diversity
Within Cybersecurity Field
DENVER, June 18,
2024 /CNW/ -- Optiv, the cyber advisory and solutions
leader, has announced Nigel Tatem as
the recipient of its annual Black Employee Network (BEN)
scholarship.
BEN, an employee resource group at Optiv, oversees the
scholarship as part of the company's ongoing commitment to
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and to empowering the next
generation of cyber and information security professionals.
Tatem, a high school graduate from Frisco, Texas, will attend Cornell University in the fall where he will study
computer science. In addition to graduating with a 5.13 cumulative
GPA from Rick Reedy High School,
Tatem reached a top 10 ranking in C# programming in a state
competition and qualified for nationals in C++ programming.
Along with serving as captain of his school's varsity wrestling
team and playing football, Tatem also served as president of the
Black Student Alliance, vice president of the National Technical
Honor Society and was named assistant counselor at the Rotary Youth
Leadership Awards. In this role, he helped valedictorians and
accomplished high school juniors become better leaders.
Tatem's interest in computer science grew while working at his
father's car wash business. He developed software to optimize
operations, a hands-on experience that showed him how technology
can transform small businesses. Most recently, during an
internship, he developed a program using analytical solutions to
streamline regulatory processes.
"I am a firm believer in the safety and privacy of our
information online, and I plan to combine my focus on AI and data
analytics to change the field of cybersecurity forever," Tatem
said. "I am deeply grateful to the Optiv Black Employee Network for
providing this opportunity to further my education and make a
lasting impact as a Black scholar in STEM."
Tatem will receive a one-time scholarship of $10,000 to aid him in achieving his goals.
"Our goal is to positively impact the lives of the next
generation by providing opportunities that they may not have
otherwise had to pursue a career in tech with the support of this
scholarship," Marlee McAlpine,
Optiv's senior DEI manager, said. "Nigel is an outstanding
recipient who has a passion for DEI and giving back to marginalized
communities with the knowledge he obtains through his studies in
computer science and cybersecurity."
The scholarship is open to Black, African American identifying
STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)
students.
Optiv honors and embraces the diverse perspectives, ideas,
backgrounds and experiences of its people. The company's approach
to DEI is grounded in listening, learning and growing.
For the latest news and updates from Optiv,
visit https://www.optiv.com/company/optiv-newsroom.
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Blog: https://www.optiv.com/explore-optiv-insights/blog
Optiv Security: Secure
greatness.®
Optiv is the cyber advisory and solutions leader, delivering
strategic and technical expertise to nearly 6,000 companies across
every major industry. We partner with organizations to advise,
deploy and operate complete cybersecurity programs from strategy
and managed security services to risk, integration and technology
solutions. With clients at the center of our unmatched ecosystem of
people, products, partners and programs, we accelerate business
progress like no other company can. At Optiv, we manage cyber risk
so you can secure your full potential. For more information,
visit www.optiv.com.
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SOURCE Optiv Security Inc.