MGA Re-designated as a National Center Of Academic Excellence In Cyber Defense Education

Author: News Bureau
Posted: Tuesday, October 3, 2023 12:00 AM
Categories: Honors/Awards | Pressroom | Students | School of Computing | Faculty/Staff

Macon, GA

Placeholder
L-R: Dr. Kevin Floyd, Dr. David Jenks, Dr. Alex Koohang
Middle Georgia State University (MGA) was formally re-designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) on September 19, 2023, during a ceremony at Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Ill. Dr. David Jenks, MGA provost, Dr. Alex Koohang, dean of the School of Computing, Dr. Kevin Floyd, associate dean of the School of Computing, and Dr. Alan Stines, assistant professor of Information Technology, were present to accept the award.

The NCAE-C program aims to create and manage a collaborative cybersecurity educational program with community colleges, colleges, and universities that establishes standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence. Standards include competency development among students and faculty, values community outreach, and leadership in professional development, as well as integrating cybersecurity practice within the institution across academic disciplines and actively engaging in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education.

The re-designation comes after a rigorous application process and review by peer review institutions and the NCAE-C program office, Floyd said. The designation is a testament to the quality, state-of-the-art programs, and the exceptional faculty of MGA's School of Computing. Graduates of the bachelor's degree in IT have opportunities to pursue high-level jobs in cybersecurity with government entities to help protect and secure America’s vital national security infrastructure. MGA was initially designated in 2016.

The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program is managed by NSA's National Cryptologic School. Federal partners include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education (NICE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense Office of the Chief Information Officer (DoD-CIO), and U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM).