Southwest Tennessee Community College Chosen to Participate in National Cyber Skills for All Initiative

Southwest Tennessee Community College Chosen to Participate in Cyber Skills for All Initiative

Memphis, TN, January 23, 2023 – Southwest Tennessee Community College has been selected as one of 14 community colleges across the nation to participate in the Cyber Skills for All: Community Colleges Lead the Way Initiative. This remarkable opportunity is made possible by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and a $20,000 grant award from the Microsoft Foundation.

Dr. Tracy D. Hall, president of Southwest Tennessee Community College, expressed her excitement about this selection, emphasizing how grateful she and the college are to be chosen. The partnership aims to enhance the college’s cybersecurity program and provide students with top-quality industry education to ensure their success. Additionally, the grant initiative will focus on growing a more diverse talent pipeline for the region’s cybersecurity workforce.

The initiative is crucial in ensuring that students are equipped with the skills needed in an ever-changing field. AACC President and CEO Walter Bumphus highlighted the significance of working together with Microsoft to provide students with the relevant skills needed in the workforce. As technology evolves, so do the skills required to protect the nation’s technology infrastructure. Selected community colleges will have the opportunity to learn best practices from one another to continue delivering high-quality, industry-relevant cyber skills education to all students.

The grant award aims to increase the talent pool and focus on under-served populations, such as African American and Hispanic students, in the IT and cybersecurity fields. Its three phases include cybersecurity instructor training resulting in a Microsoft certification, a free course open to the public on SC-900T00: Microsoft Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals, and paid internships offering work-based learning experiences with industry partners.

Dr. Aaron Jagers, department chair of technologies at Southwest Tennessee Community College, expressed his satisfaction with the grant’s inclusion of no-cost, entry-level cybersecurity training for students and the general population. This initiative is particularly important, as cybersecurity professionals are in high demand throughout the Greater Memphis Area.

Kate Behncken, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Philanthropies, emphasized the significance of addressing the cybersecurity skills crisis facing the United States. By collaborating with AACC, Microsoft aims to ensure a sufficient number of individuals with necessary skills to keep organizations secure and people safe.

Other institutions in the second cohort of the Cyber Skills for All initiative include Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Hostos Community College, University of Arkansas Cossatot, North Hennepin Community College, Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), Community College of Philadelphia, Central Community College, Bellevue College, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College, College of Western Idaho, Tulsa Community College, City Colleges of Chicago, and College of Southern Nevada.

For more information about Southwest’s Cyber Skills for All grant, contact Dr. Aaron Jagers by email at ajagers@southwest.tn.edu.

Source link



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Viewed

Featured Franchise Opportunity

Pop's Pizza Sandwiches and Wing

Food & Beverage Franchises, Low Cost Franchises

$250ˌ000 - $500ˌ000

Clean Nature Group

Business Services Franchises, Cleaning Franchises, Low Cost Franchises, Manufacturing & Industrial Franchises

$100ˌ000 - $250ˌ000