Lincoln College President David Gerlach said a ransomware attack made it harder to combat declining enrollment, fueling a decision to close the school.

The rural, predominately Black Lincoln College was already facing financial struggles when a ransomware attack disrupted the admissions.

The state aims to make it easier for in-state students to apply to Illinois colleges, but also to attract out-of-state applicants.

A new partnership between the university’s CyberGIS Center and the State of Illinois is intended to help leaders better understand and prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Nearly 50 school districts and hundreds of schools have been hit by ransomware this year. Sycamore Community School District 427 is the latest victim.

A new education-focused chief information officer role will be led by Kevin Parker, a former Boston and Rhode Island govtech leader.