Hood College Cyber Partnership Wins National Award

FREDERICK, MD – Hood College’s cyber pipeline has won the 2019 National CyberWatch Center’s “Innovations in Cyber Security Education” award in the program development category.

In an effort to support the growing need for trained professionals in the cybersecurity field, both regionally and nationally, Hood has led the charge to establish a formal cyber pipeline that offers students degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, and master’s levels to propel them to a successful cyber career.

Students who graduate from Frederick Community College with an associate degree in cybersecurity can transfer credits toward a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree at Mount St. Mary’s University (MSMU). Students in the MSMU program are eligible to take courses at Hood that will count toward their bachelor’s degrees and have the opportunity to waive foundational courses upon entry into Hood’s master’s program.

The “Innovations in Cyber Security Education” awards program showcases a range of creative and pioneering ideas across four categories: evidence-based strategies, instruction, practice, and program development.

“One goal of this program is to accelerate the adoption and adaptation of new ideas throughout the academic and workforce development communities, while at the same time, recognizing individuals and organizations for their work,” says Casey W. O’Brien, executive director at the National CyberWatch Center. “This cyber pipeline initiated by Hood achieves this goal by providing a single, unified degree pathway toward a career in cybersecurity.”

This three-school partnership saves students tuition money and time, offers seamless sharing of computer lab facilities and software, provides unique cross-mentorship and collaboration opportunities with faculty from multiple institutions, and allows for students to meet privately with experts in the cybersecurity field who speak at Hood’s Cotton Cyber Series.

“This award is a reflection of Hood’s commitment to strategic regional partnerships developed in support of a critical need in the state of Maryland,” says Hood Provost Debbie Ricker, who accepted the award at a summit in Louisiana on July 30. “The cyber pipeline we have built, connecting students at all three institutions, is a one-of-a-kind model. It is innovative in its design and responsive to student demand for an educational option that is both time- and cost-effective.

“Behind this award is an amazingly talented team of Hood College faculty and staff who have brought this partnership to life. It is a true testament to their commitment to the students we serve.”

About Hood College
Hood College is an independent, liberal arts college, offering 32 undergraduate majors, four pre-professional programs, 17 graduate programs, two doctorates and 11 post-baccalaureate certificates. Located in historic Frederick, near Washington, DC, Baltimore, and the I-270 technology corridor, Hood gives students access to countless internships and research opportunities.

Featured

  • 5 Tips for New Teachers and Their Administrators on Classroom Design

    Recently, several school visits early in the academic year highlighted how many first-year teachers struggle to set up their classrooms effectively. It's evident that more can be done to better support them from the start, particularly in the area of classroom design.

  • Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Facilitron Partner for Facility Management

    Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) recently announced a partnership with facility management systems provider Facilitron, according to a news release. MDCPS has about 350,000 students across 400 campuses and is the 19th Florida school district to use Facilitron’s platform.

  • All Surfaces Announces New Director of Commercial Business Development

    Surface solutions provider All Surfaces recently announced that it has hired a new Director of Commercial Business Development in Torie Bonafede. Bonafede will work to build the company’s market presence in various categories and drive strategic initiatives to expand its commercial sales portfolio.

  • Belmont Abbey College Selects Architect for New Performing Arts Center

    Belmont Abbey College in Belmont, N.C., recently announced the selection of Little Diversified Architectural Consulting (Little) to serve as the project architect for its new Visual and Performing Arts Center, according to a news release. The 1,000-seat theater will serve the college and local community as a home for theater, visual arts, performing arts, art exhibitions, and other cultural and educational events.

Digital Edition