According to the Department of Homeland Security, just 31% of their workforce are women.

A new high school class, that earns seniors college credit, is hoping to change that by encouraging more female students to join in.

In Professor Dr. Marcie Fraser's class it's the girls who take center stage. The New Visions EPICH Program teaches high school seniors about Emergency Preparedness, Informatics, Cyber Security & Homeland Security.

Fields traditionally dominated by men, with four male students, and three female the growing number of women is a sunny sign of what's to come. In it's second year, this is the first time the class has had any female students.

"Women tend to have more logical thinking like mentally, and they don't necessarily act impulsively," Lauren Liberti, Catskill High School student. "Their brains work differently than men. So it's a great way to have diversity."

"It's encouraging that I'm going to have more people like me in the field, so I'm not like overly overwhelmed with a bunch of men, and I have people I can connect with," Jacquie Arrie, Taconic Hills student.

The program partners BOCES with SUNY Albany and it's held on the university's campus, so the high schoolers get college credit and experience in the higher learning environment.

"Being able to get a head start on my college experience was really nice," said Arrie. "I kind of like, know what I'm expecting for next year and I'm it's really exciting."

"The research is that if every college graduate right now went into the field of cyber, there's still would be openings because of the dangers around the world today," said Fraser. "You know, cyber attacks are the number one homeland security threat. So we need to fill these positions so people can stop them."

By opening the opportunities to peak a young persons interest in the field, especially young women, Professor Fraser believes public safety will reap the benefits.

"The girls really add a lot to it and changes the dynamics because there's more exchange," said Fraser. "The boys, you know, actually allow them to speak more. The girls are able to do more in terms of, you know, looking in forecasting into the future, in terms of the even homeland security, which is the the fastest growing field of all of all jobs."

Averill Park High School Bailey Vooris says the work she's accomplished in class has proven to her how necessary her contributions could be one day.

"We're breaking down the barriers and that girls are able to accomplish the same thing as the guys in this field and it's really eye opening," said Vooris.

The program is looking for the next group of students to take part. For more information and apply, log onto questar.org and look for the EPICH link.