The College of Computing’s cutting-edge curriculum and faculty expertise in the advancement of cybersecurity has earned it a national designation from the National Security Agency.
Dean Marouane Kessentini accepted the National Centers of Academic Excellence-Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation during the National Cybersecurity Education Colloquium Conference in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 9.
“I'm so grateful for all the faculty who worked hard to make this designation happen because it will increase our visibility,” Kessentini said. “That’s how we can also attract more industry to work with us, and how we can better prepare our students.
“This is just the beginning because we are eligible to apply for funding from the NSA for workforce development, and that will impact the whole region.”
The CAE-CD designation is awarded to universities that offer bachelor’s and graduate degree programs and meet a variety of internal and external guidelines pertaining to cyberdefense, said Andrew Kalafut, director of GVSU’s Institute of Cybersecurity Education and Research.
To receive the designation, institutions must meet several criteria involving curriculum goals, faculty support, cybersecurity activities outside the classroom and K-12 outreach initiatives, Kalafut said.
“Receiving the CAE-CD designation involves showing evidence not only of a strong cybersecurity academic program, but also that GVSU is going beyond that academic program in its commitment to cybersecurity,” said Kalafut.
The designation will also open more scholarship and grant opportunities for the College of Computing and its students, said Kalafut.
“This designation is an acknowledgment of the quality of our cybersecurity academic programs and the opportunities we provide to students,” Kalafut said. “It has already benefited students by providing them access to the National CAE Virtual Career Fair, as well as to an online lecture series from nationally known experts.
“Now that we have the CAE-CD designation we are not stopping there. We are continually working to make this program the best it can be and provide additional cybersecurity opportunities and pathways for GVSU students.”
Sign up and receive the latest Grand Valley headlines delivered to your email inbox each morning.
