ISSUED: 1 June 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — Shepherd University has been awarded a State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program subaward to strengthen cybersecurity protections and modernize critical information technology infrastructure across campus.
The grant, awarded to Joanie Raisovich, interim director of Shepherd University IT Services, is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered through West Virginia Emergency Management (WVEM).
Funding will support cloud storage and encryption initiatives designed to improve data security, replace aging hardware, and address critical vulnerabilities within the University’s technology infrastructure. These improvements will help ensure that Shepherd’s systems remain secure, resilient, and responsive to evolving cybersecurity threats.
The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program was established through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and is administered by FEMA in partnership with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The program provides funding to help state and local entities reduce cybersecurity risks, address vulnerabilities, and strengthen the security and resilience of critical information systems. WVEM administers the program within West Virginia.
The project aligns with broader state and federal efforts to modernize public-sector technology systems and enhance protections against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Through the program, organizations can invest in cybersecurity planning, infrastructure improvements, and measures that better protect sensitive data and critical services.
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