CSEOP & Other Outreach Programs

Computing and Security Enrichment Outreach Program (CSEOP)

The Computing and Security Enrichment Outreach Program (CSEOP) has been offered to high school students since 2016. Initially launched as a spring-only initiative during its first two years, the program expanded in 2018 to include both the spring and fall semesters, significantly increasing its impact. To date, CSEOP has served more than 400 students, providing early exposure to key technology disciplines.

CSEOP focuses on recruiting students from underrepresented minorities and first-generation college backgrounds.

Partner High Schools

Our current partner institutions include:

  • Malcolm X Shabazz High School
  • Bogota High School
  • Jose Marti STEM Academy
  • Teaneck High School
  • Bergenfield High School
  • Hackensack High School
  • North Bergen STEM Academy

Program Objectives

The primary objective of CSEOP is to introduce high school students to computer science and cybersecurity, while establishing a clear and supportive pathway into technology-focused higher education programs.

Curriculum Overview

Students receive hands-on exposure to foundational and emerging areas, including:

  • Computers and Networking Fundamentals
  • Computer Programming and Game Development
  • Game Development Tools and Techniques
  • Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking
  • Cybercrime and Criminal Justice
  • Cryptography
  • Robotics

Program Structure

CSEOP operates for nine consecutive Saturdays, followed by a graduation component. Each Saturday session runs from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and is taught mostly by full-time faculty members, with each instructor delivering one or two lectures.

Each Saturday follows a two-phase instructional model:

  1. Phase 1 (9:00–10:30 AM): Motivational lectures, demonstrations, and instructional videos.
  2. Phase 2 (after a 10-minute break): Hands-on activities aligned with the topic of the day. For example, programming sessions may involve developing simple applications.

Due to funding considerations, the program currently combines the final instructional session and the graduation ceremony into one week. With additional sponsorship, we can expand the curriculum by adding two weeks dedicated to Artificial Intelligence (AI)—one focused on introducing AI concepts and another on applying AI to robotics.

Program Administration

The program is administered by a full-time faculty member serving as Program Director, supported by two graduate assistants.
Key responsibilities include:

  • Designing and updating the curriculum
  • Developing the instructional schedule
  • Reviewing teaching materials
  • Coordinating communication with faculty
  • Conducting pre- and post-program surveys to support continuous improvement
  • Leading orientation and closing activities

Graduate assistants support all instructional sessions, provide help during hands-on activities, offer office hours, supervise breakfast, guide students to lunch, and ensure student safety throughout their time on campus.

Funding and Expenses

Over the past decade, CSEOP has received generous support from several corporate and community partners, including Olsen Foundation, Emerson, Bayer Fund, Howmet Aerospace, Menasha, and Provident Bank. This support allows offering the program free of charge to the participating students.

The Computing and Security Outreach Program (CSEOP) won 10th place in the 2022 CAE-CD Community Outreach competition. This competition was held among 400+ National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) institutions and our efforts in developing and presenting this outstanding program for underrepresented high school students received national recognition. Details on the competition and the results are posted at: Cyber Defense (CD) | CAE Community.

The program is offered by the Gregory H. Olsen College of Engineering and Science at the Metropolitan campus.

Early College Programs for High School Students

At Fairleigh Dickinson University, high school students interested in getting an early start on earning college credits can do so through two Early College options: the Dual Enrollment program and Summer program,

Each program offers academically minded high school students a way to accelerate completion of their credit requirements toward a bachelor’s degree—and that means earning an undergraduate degree sooner! Participating in FDU Early College programs can also provide significant savings on future college tuition costs.

Students are offered credit-bearing introductory mathematics, engineering, programming, and general education courses. They will have the opportunity to pursue hands-on exercises in the state-of-the-art laboratories at the Metropolitan and Florham campuses.

Early College Dual Enrollment makes college courses available to high school students. Credits for Dual Enrollment classes count toward high school requirements and toward most 2- and 4-year college degrees. At FDU, dual enrollment courses are taught at the student’s high school by an approved high school teacher using an approved syllabus and other materials provided by FDU.

Early College Summer gives students the opportunity to take classes with other high school students during the Summer to earn college credit. The shortened format (3- and 6-week options are available) make it possible to take more than one class over the Summer. Multiple modalities are available: asynchronous online, in-person, remote with Zoom meetings.

For more information visit: https://www.fdu.edu/lifelong-learning-at-fdu/high-school-programs/

Community College Programs

Fairleigh Dickinson University has a history of partnerships with community colleges that encourage graduates to pursue bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the university. The goal is an affordable path to degrees. It includes a dual admissions program and a program-to-program transfer agreement with multiple community colleges. Several NJ community college associate degree programs concentrating in network security and/or cybersecurity have been articulated with corresponding FDU BS programs for maximum credit transfers for the student. For more information on articulation agreements, please visit: https://www.fdu.edu/lifelong-learning-at-fdu/community-college/articulation-agreements/

Contact

To learn more about any of the above partnership programs, community and corporate opportunities, including opportunities for course evaluations, teacher and student eligibility, etc., please contact Kalyan Mondal, PhD, Director of CCIA mondal@fdu.edu