PROVIDENCE – Douglas S. Alexander, the former director of community engagement and government relations at North Kingstown-based internet access provider OSHEAN Inc., has been named the inaugural director of Rhode Island College’s Institute for Cybersecurity & Emerging Technologies.
RIC on Tuesday said Alexander will use his deep relationships across the state and expertise to identify how the institute can offer support via cybersecurity training and partnerships. Other responsibilities that Alexander will have in leading the institute,
which launched back in November, include overseeing the budget, planning and organizing institute-led initiatives and events, the college says.
Alexander’s experience also includes teaching, systems engineering and K-12 technology administration, RIC says. In his prior role with OSEAN, Alexander engaged stakeholders to further the nonprofit’s mission of bringing digital security solutions to the local nonprofit community, including libraries, K-12 schools, health care organizations, and state and local government agencies.
Alexander in a statement said creating the institute’s role in education within the state is the “biggest and most engaging challenge” he has tackled to date as “there is so much good work to be done.”
“I look forward to working alongside [institute Chairperson and former U.S.] Congressman [James R.] Langevin and the institute’s leadership team as we reimagine the landscape of cybersecurity learning and workforce development,” Alexander said.
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.
