Our Impact: SEED Maryland Launches the SEED Network’s first Cyber Lab for Students

Did you know that the median salary in cyber security in the United States is $95K? And, cyber security jobs are in high demand.  According to UMBC, “There are over 209,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. and 2 million worldwide.”

That’s one of the reasons that SEED MD recently launched the InfoArmor Cyber Lab, with the generous support of a local Baltimore family. The goal of the cyber lab is to provide SEED students with greater access to this burgeoning field.

In November, we spoke to Andrew Pham, director of the InfoArmor Cyber Lab to learn more about SEED MD’s cyber lab and his exciting new role.

Welcome to the SEED community!  Can you tell us a little about your background?

Before joining SEED, I spent ten years with Baltimore City Public Schools. Most recently, I was building makerspace experiences for students with special needs. I came to SEED to build an excellent cyber lab where students will be exposed to cutting-edge technologies and have opportunities for internships and higher education in the tech field.

What is the goal of SEED MD’s cyber lab?

Our ultimate goal is to prepare students for careers in cyber security and other high-tech fields. Our students are already using technology for fun. Through our cyber lab, we are transitioning them from “Computers are for playing games and watching videos” to “I can use technology to design my own media.  I can create things.”   

How does the cyber lab work?

When we are finished, we will have a fully functioning SOC (Secure Operating Center) makerspace to teach students about 3D design and fabrication, coding, and robotics. We’re also aiming to partner with other departments at SEED to offer AP Computer Science, cyber security, networking, and other tech-related classes. Finally, we will have an after-school enrichment program focused on design, robotics, and cyber security.

Are students interested in the cyber lab? Which classes are most popular? 

Absolutely! We are still developing our curriculum, but 3D fabrication and coding are two classes that have gained the most interest. Additionally, we will be participating in the CyberPatriot's National Youth Cyber Defense Competition in 2020. Students are excited about that!

Is there anything else you would like to add that you want the SEED community to know?

This is a big endeavor that cannot come to fruition without work from all our stakeholders. For example, we recently formed a volunteer committee that is comprised of cyber security professors, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the industry who will help guide our programming and foster connections to high-tech companies in and around Baltimore. Together, we are building a lab that will be a model for high-tech urban education and change the trajectory of our students’ lives.

Happy Holidays from SEED!

As we prepare to spend some quality time with family and friends this holiday season, we are also taking time to reflect.   

At SEED, we have the pleasure of serving remarkable students who are defying the odds and charting their own paths towards college completion. Here’s just a small slice of what our scholars accomplished this year:

In our first issue of The SEED Spark, we featured Monae Scott (SEED DC ‘19), an exceptional SEED student, who was selected as a POSSE Scholar, earning a full scholarship to Sewanee: The University of the South. Monae also joined 14 other SEED scholars who received over $40,000 in SEED Foundation Scholarships in 2019.  The following month, we shared how the SEED Tax Prep Ambassadors, a cohort of scholars from SEED DC, assisted in filing taxes for low and middle-income residents in wards 7 and 8 of Washington, D.C. These scholars worked closely with their clients to schedule appointments, provide consultations, and input tax information. At the end of tax season, they had successfully helped residents claim $110,000 in tax credits to their community! It’s amazing to know that our scholars are learning life skills to help themselves and others.

Last spring, we highlighted SEED scholar-artists. SEED DC’s Falcon Theatre traveled to Sacramento, California, for the Junior Theater Festival, a musical theater adjudication festival that brings together over 2,000 students from 42 schools representing multiple states and countries. After several award-winning performances, our scholar-artists earned their second invitation to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland, in the summer of 2020. SEED DC is now raising funds to ensure that the students can participate.

There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing our scholars’ accomplishments showcased at high school graduation each year. In June, both SEED DC and SEED MD celebrated a 99% graduation rate, with alumni from the class of 2019 now attending colleges and universities across the country. As you know, their journeys with SEED don’t end there! SEED’s College Transition & Success team is there to support our scholars in college and beyond.

To close out the year, we’re proud to announce our new InfoArmor Cyber Lab opening at SEED MD! (Learn more below). Our scholars are excited to have new opportunities to learn about the tech industry and build high-tech skills to compete for 21st-century careers.

Looking Forward

2020 will be another year of firsts for SEED. The SEED School of Miami will welcome their inaugural senior class! We’re also continuing to garner support for The SEED School of Los Angeles, scheduled to open its doors in 2022. As our community grows, we’re reminded to stay true to our core values, Respect, Responsibility, Perseverance, Integrity, Compassion, Gratitude, and Growth, which bind us together.

Thank you for being part of the SEED community and providing our scholars with opportunities, resources, and community they need to achieve their dreams! None of our achievements are possible without you.

What We’re Learning: Following Our Freshmen as They Embark on a New Journey

This fall, SEED’s college success advisors are packing up and heading out for another travel season. They are off to meet with 2019 SEED graduates at colleges and universities across the country, such as Emory University, Johns Hopkins University, Frostburg State University, North Carolina AT&T State University, Cleveland Institute of Art, and more!

Every SEED graduate in their first semester of college receives a visit from a SEED college success advisor. We also visit SEED graduates who have transferred to a new college or need additional support. 

We love visiting our scholars and hearing about their personal college experiences! These visits also give our team the opportunity to build relationships with our college partners and to stay up to date on any academic or financial issues that could hinder our students’ ability to complete college.

Want to keep up with our visits?

Please follow us on Instagram, follow the hashtag #SEEDGradsSucceed, or check out our posts on Facebook. 

Learn more about our College Transition & Success program.

Our Impact: SEED’s Values Bind Us Together

The glue that binds the SEED community together is our core values and beliefs. In June, we rolled out our updated core values at our SEED Summit—an annual all-staff retreat.

We also kicked off the school year by proudly displaying our values on each campus and hosting conversations with students about living our values every day.

As a member of our SEED community, we wanted to share with you our values and beliefs. Please take a look.

I show RESPECT for all people by being civil, cordial, courteous, and having unconditional appreciation for the value and dignity of all people and things.

I display RESPONSIBILITY by taking ownership and being accountable for my words, actions, and results.

I exemplify PERSEVERANCE by having steady commitment, persistence, and patience, even when there are obstacles or discouragement.

I act with INTEGRITY by being honest and fair and doing the right thing even when no one is looking.

I exhibit COMPASSION by showing concern and empathy, being helpful, and supporting others.

I show GRATITUDE by extending kindness and expressing appreciation for the gifts, time, and talent of others. 

I demonstrate GROWTH through my commitment to excellence, continuous improvement, and learning.

Where Are They Now? Jeremiah Paige (SEED MD ’15, Mount St. Mary’s University ’19)

In July 2008, The SEED School of Maryland welcomed its first class of sixth graders. By attending Maryland’s first public college-preparatory boarding school, these students were making history.

After nearly seven years of rigorous academics, social and enrichment programs, and college exposure, every single graduate was accepted to a four-year college. But their journey with SEED wasn’t complete. To ensure that each graduate persisted through college, SEED provided each student with a college success advisor to serve as their personal advocate, mentor, and cheerleader from move-in day to graduation day.

This year, we celebrate SEED MD’s first class of college graduates and the fruition of SEED’s vision—to get our students to and through college. One of these graduates is Jeremiah Paige (SEED MD ’15). For him, SEED served as a reminder of his ability to achieve at the highest level. “SEED taught us that we could accomplish anything we wanted. This mindset pushed me to invest in and explore my passion for music as a student at Mount St. Mary’s.”

Last month, Jeremiah served as the keynote speaker for the 2019 SEED Foundation Scholarship Reception. He offered words of encouragement to SEED’s next graduating class and reminded them that wherever they go, they can find comfort in knowing that SEED is always there. Read the short interview below to learn more about Jeremiah’s college journey and where he is now.

What college or university did you attend?

I attended Mount St. Mary’s University, where I majored in communications and minored in business.

How was your transition from SEED to college?

My transition to college hit me hard. I felt like I was all alone. I couldn’t see my mother every weekend, and I was no longer with my SEED family five days a week. However, I soon realized that no matter the distance, my biological and SEED families would always be there. Mrs. Baker Jones, my SEED college success advisor, constantly reached out to me, came to visit, and even took me out to eat!

I found SEED’s approach of intrusive advising helpful when I started at Mount St. Mary’s. It was great to have someone on my side who genuinely cared about my success. If I had issues with my financial aid or classes, they were there to listen and provide support.

Did you stay connected to SEED while in college?

I would often go and visit my former counselors at SEED MD to play basketball. I also had the opportunity to reconnect with my former classmates through SEED-sponsored events like the SEED Graduate Institute and annual bowling party.

What are your plans for the future?

As a recent college graduate, I feel that the possibilities are endless. I am interested in pursuing my passion for music. While at Mount St. Mary’s, I had the opportunity to perform all over campus and even opened for artist O.T. Genasis. These experiences made me want to further express my creative abilities. I’m dedicated to remaining productive and making the most of the connections I’ve made while in school.

How did your experience at SEED impact you?

SEED prepared me for college academically. As a senior at SEED, I participated in a dual-enrollment program at Morgan State University. I saw the campus up close, met professors, and took classes with other college kids. This experience gave me an early look at college life and increased my interest in continuing my education.

Beyond academic preparation, the constant encouragement I received from my SEED counselors made a big difference. At the time, I didn’t appreciate their firmness, but as an adult I find myself implementing their advice. I am the person I am today because of SEED, and I am thankful for my experience.