St. John’s University announced on May 13 that it has received a $250,000 endowed gift from Craig Newmark Philanthropies to establish a community-based cybersecurity clinic at The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies’ Cyber Security Center of Academic Excellence.
The endowment will provide an annual payout of about $12,000 to support the creation of the clinic in Queens, New York. The new facility aims to offer cybersecurity services such as incident-response planning, security awareness training, and vulnerability assessments for local small businesses, health-care providers, and nonprofits.
Students enrolled in the undergraduate Cyber Security Systems degree program will have opportunities for hands-on learning by assisting organizations that are vulnerable to cyber threats. Luca Iandoli, Dean of the Collins College of Professional Studies and Professor in the Division of Computer Science, Mathematics, and Science said: “This grant represents a powerful convergence of academic excellence, public service, and real-world impact. Through the support of Craig Newmark Philanthropies, our students will engage directly with the cybersecurity challenges that define today’s digital landscape—gaining hands-on technical proficiency and a deep sense of civic responsibility.”
Craig Newmark founded craigslist in 1996 before launching his philanthropic organization in 2015 to support causes including trustworthy journalism and cybersecurity. He said: “Clinics like this do really important work helping organizations and communities who need to protect themselves against the very serious threats that are already here. Providing a training ground for the next generation of cybersecurity professionals is a big deal as AI dramatically expands the quantity and quality of the threats and scams we all face online.”
Joan E. DeBello, Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science at St. John’s University said rollout could begin as early as Fall 2026 after engaging with local stakeholders such as health-care leaders; schools; small-business networks; and policymakers through direct meetings or communications channels.
“Clinic programs like this are where the next generation of cybersecurity professionals learn by doing—protecting real people while mastering real threats,” DeBello said. “This support enables us to expand the mission, turning education into impact and strengthening the resilience of the communities we serve. This is a great opportunity for our students and our programs.”
St. John’s undergraduate and graduate cybersecurity programs have been recognized nationally by agencies such as the National Security Agency (NSA) for their excellence. According to St John’s University, it operates campuses in Queens and Manhattan along with international sites; offers more than 100 undergraduate majors across six schools; supports multicultural initiatives through its centers; is affiliated with both Catholic traditions via its Vincentian Community; emphasizes liberal arts education; Rev. Brian J. Shanley has served as president.
