Grant to boost cybersecurity education

Marion Technical College is proud to announce an ambitious initiative to expand cybersecurity education and train more workers for this in-demand field. In response to the pressing need for cybersecurity expertise in today’s digital landscape, a new grant from the National Science Foundation will help bridge the skills gap and establish a skilled cybersecurity workforce to meet local, regional, and nationwide demands.

Marion Tech was awarded a $533,404 grant to better align the curriculum with the NSA Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity. In addition to upgrading hardware, Marion Tech will offer cybersecurity camps starting in the summer of 2025 to offer free training to teachers, government employees, and utility workers as well as students.

“The National Science Foundation grant is a game-changer for our cybersecurity program,” said Mike White, associate dean of technical programs at Marion Tech. “We will be providing training on cutting-edge technology to our students, community, and local government agencies. Cybersecurity is a constant arms race between bad actors and the good guys; keeping local agencies, teachers, and the community up-to-date with recent trends is essential for the safety of everyone.”

With new equipment, the Marion Tech mobile lab will bring cybersecurity awareness and training events around the region. In addition, Marion Tech will develop three new cybersecurity courses and certifications. These include stackable certificate options, where students can tailor their learning to their career goals and put their learning to use in their careers quickly.

“In an era where cyber threats are increasingly sophisticated and widespread, ‘leveling up’ our cybersecurity education helps prevent cyberattacks before they happen, saving time and money that would be spent fixing things afterward,” said Professor Christy Culver, assistant program administrator for business and information technologies at Marion Tech.

At upcoming professional development boot camps, high school instructors, local government employees, and public utility workers will learn and implement cybersecurity protocols and best practices for their fields.

“The planned professional development opportunities for high school instructors, local government, and public utility employees will raise the overall standard of cybersecurity education in the region, creating a ripple effect of improved cybersecurity practices,” Culver, one of the grant’s authors, said.

In addition, Marion Tech will reach out to underrepresented students in cybersecurity, including rural students, economically disadvantaged individuals, and women with the goal of helping. This initiative aims to increase program enrollment among these groups by 25%.

Cybersecurity jobs will grow by 32% over the next 10 years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Dr. Ryan McCall, president of Marion Technical College, expressed enthusiasm for the project’s potential impact.

“Cyberattacks threaten all of us – with attacks on health care, schools, utilities, financial institutions, and businesses,” he said. “This initiative represents a significant step forward in addressing the critical need for cybersecurity expertise in our community and beyond. By expanding our educational offerings and reaching out to underrepresented groups, we aim to cultivate a diverse and skilled cybersecurity workforce capable of meeting these challenges.”

The project will be rigorously evaluated to assess its effectiveness in preparing qualified cybersecurity technicians to enter the workforce. Results and insights gleaned from the evaluation will be widely disseminated, contributing to the body of knowledge on cybersecurity education and workforce development.

For more information, visit www.mtc.edu or email [email protected].

Submitted by Marion Technical College.