Illinois Graduate Andrew Tolbert Awarded Optiv Cybersecurity Scholarship
Witnessing the surge of phishing scams targeting his own family, Oak Park high school graduate Andrew Tolbert turned a personal concern into a career path. Now, the aspiring security analyst has been named the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship from Optiv’s Black Employee Network to support his studies at Purdue University.
Tolbert plans to major in cybersecurity this fall, aiming for a professional future in penetration testing. His path into the field has already begun with practical experience, including an internship focused on phishing prevention and the successful attainment of CompTIA Tech+ and A+ certifications. Beyond the financial award, Tolbert will receive mentorship from Optiv professionals throughout his freshman year.
The scholarship is managed by the Black Employee Network, an internal group at the Denver-based cybersecurity firm dedicated to fostering inclusive representation within the industry. Chanel Cantey, co-chair of the network, noted that Tolbert’s technical curiosity and hands-on work with social engineering awareness made him a standout candidate. The program targets Black and African American students pursuing STEM degrees, directly addressing the broader talent shortage by investing in emerging leaders.
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