APPA Cybersecurity & IT Summit

Student Delegate Application: APPA Cybersecurity & IT Summit 2025

Location: Raleigh Convention Center, 500 South Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Conference Dates: Sunday–Wednesday, September 7–10, 2025 (Student attendance: Monday–Tuesday, September 8–9; Volunteer shifts may occur Sunday–Tuesday, September 7–9)
Application Opens: Monday, June 23, 2025
Application Deadline: 11:59 PM ET, Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Notification of Selection: by Tuesday, August 5, 2025
Sponsor: Greenville Utilities Commission/APPA

Download the application document below.

About the Opportunity

The American Public Power Association (APPA) Cybersecurity & IT Summit is a premier industry event that addresses cybersecurity, IT infrastructure, risk, resilience, and workforce development within the utility sector. It brings together utility professionals, cybersecurity experts, and IT leaders for critical dialogue, collaboration, and strategic planning around protecting public power systems and advancing secure technology adoption.

This is a high-value professional opportunity: the non-member registration fee for industry professionals to attend this summit is typically around $2,000, depending on the date of registration. Selected ECU students will have the opportunity to attend at no cost, making this an exceptional opportunity to gain exposure, network, and build industry knowledge. In today’s competitive and shifting technology job market—where hiring for entry-level IT and cybersecurity roles has slowed and employers increasingly seek candidates with real-world experience—attending this summit helps students stand out by demonstrating initiative, industry awareness, and engagement beyond the classroom.

Selected ECU student delegates will:

• Review the detailed Summit agenda here: https://my.publicpower.org/s/community-event?id=a1YUT0000039s2f2AA#/Agenda
• Attend sessions covering a broad range of topics, including cybersecurity, risk management, IT governance, utility data, and critical infrastructure.
• Network with professionals working in public utilities and municipal IT environments.
• Volunteer for one shift (approximately 3–4 hours) between Sunday, September 7, and Tuesday, September 9.
• Share insights and lessons learned with peers upon return to campus (e.g., through AIS or WiCyS student clubs) and post a reflection on LinkedIn to express gratitude and highlight key takeaways.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be in good academic standing (Undergraduates: GPA ≥ 2.5; Graduate students: cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher)
• Be an ECU student graduating December 2025 or later
• Be pursuing or exploring careers in Information Systems, cybersecurity, IT, data analytics, risk and compliance, or other business and technology-aligned fields (such as finance, supply chain, or operations)
• Demonstrate involvement in AIS and/or WiCyS or another ECU technology‑related student organization
• Demonstrate a pattern of engagement with professional associations, cybersecurity or IT meet-ups, or volunteer roles at related events
• Be available to attend the summit on Monday and Tuesday, September 8–9, and serve a volunteer shift between Sunday–Tuesday, September 7–9
• This is a university-sponsored event. Students may request a university excuse for their absence from class. If selected, please share this with your professors at the beginning of the semester so you can plan accordingly for your absence and any missed coursework

• Categories:
• Professional Development