OHIO celebrates Data Privacy Week 2025 with student award, competition

The Ohio University Privacy Office is celebrating Data Privacy Week, Jan. 27-31, 2025, highlighting its commitment to fostering data privacy awareness and innovation.

As part of the week’s activities, the Privacy Office, in collaboration with J. Warren McClure School of Emerging Communication Technologies (ECT), proudly announces the return of the Westin Scholar Award, recognizing outstanding students in privacy and data security.

A unique opportunity 

Ohio University is one of only three universities in Ohio, and just 95 globally, participating in the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) Westin Scholar Award program. Named in honor of Dr. Alan Westin, a pioneer in the field of privacy, this award celebrates students who are passionate about advancing privacy and data protection in their careers.

Why it matters 

With privacy becoming an increasingly central concern for organizations and the individuals they serve, students who understand privacy principles and practices are better prepared to become advocates for privacy and security in the future. The Westin Scholar Award competition challenges OHIO students to reflect on their academic experiences, propose innovative privacy solutions and envision ways to implement responsible data practices in their chosen professions.

How to compete for the Westin Scholar Award 

Eligible juniors and seniors who have completed one of the required courses are invited to submit an essay responding to the following prompt: 

"Consider your future career aspirations. How do you see the privacy-related courses that you’ve taken at Ohio University shaping your professional goals and responsibilities? Discuss specific ways you plan to advocate for or implement responsible data practices in your chosen field, drawing inspiration from the Athens community and your experiences at Ohio University." 

Submissions will be evaluated by OHIO’s ECT faculty, with finalists interviewed by the University's chief privacy officer. The selected winner will receive: 

• A $1,000 prize 
• A two-year IAPP membership 
• Three complimentary IAPP certification exams 
• Access to IAPP online training 
• Potential award presentation at an IAPP KnowledgeNet meeting 

Submission details

Essays must be submitted to westinscholars@ohio.edu from an OHIO email account by Feb. 9, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. For full details, visit the Westin Scholars | Ohio University webpage. 

Get involved in Data Privacy Week 2025 

OHIO students, faculty and staff are encouraged to join in celebrating Data Privacy Week by: 

• Spreading the word about the Westin Scholar Award and promoting best privacy practices. 
• Visiting the Data Privacy Week table at the fourth-floor entrance of Baker University Center on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by for a coffee card, snacks, freebies and a chance to connect about privacy. 
• Reviewing Ohio University’s recently launched Privacy Protection Policy (92.001) and completing the University's new, customized FERPA Compliance Training available through Vector training at Vector Student Login or Vector Employee Login. 
• Reaching out to Ohio University’s chief privacy officer at privacy@ohio.edu with questions or ideas regarding privacy topics such as student records, protected health information, privacy best practices and more. 

Data Privacy Week 2025 provides an opportunity to celebrate responsible data practices and inspire the OHIO community to be leaders in privacy awareness. Let’s work together to promote privacy best practices and policies in this growing field.