14 The Hampton Roads Messenger Education


Virginia Tech Designated NSA Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations


Volume 11 Number 9


Day of Cyber' Challenge Virginia had the highest student participation nationwide


RICHMOND – Te winners have


been announced for Virginia’s “NSA Day of Cyber” School Challenge. Te Governor


launched the challenge in


October of 2016 and it concluded in March of this year. Te Commonwealth leads the nation in the total number of students who participated, and out of the five winning schools, three hold top spots nationally.


“Virginia’s national leadership in


the ‘NSA Day of Cyber’ is proof that our schools and our educators are dedicated to making the Commonwealth a hub of cybersecurity excellence,” said Governor McAuliffe. “I want to congratulate the top five schools


for their hard work


and all the students across the state that used this unique opportunity to explore cutting-edge careers and learn more about the skills that will lead to success in the new Virginia economy.”


Since


McAuliffe has announced that the National has


Agency designated Virginia Tech as


RICHMOND – Governor Terry Security


(NSA) a


Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO). Te first university to receive this status in the Commonwealth, Virginia Tech joins an exclusive list of sixteen other universities in the nation in bearing this designation.


“Tis elite designation is an


outstanding addition to Virginia’s cyber portfolio,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “Tis very technical, inter- disciplinary, higher education program is firmly grounded in computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering disciplines and offers students an opportunity to attain the highest level of cyber credentialing in the Commonwealth. Cyber security is at the very heart of our efforts to build a new Virginia economy, and Virginia Tech’s CAE-CO designation contributes to the Commonwealth’s position as one of the premier locations for this industry.”


Te CAE-CO program supports


the goal of creating a more cyber-aware workforce through education initiatives. Universities selected for this designation must offer a curriculum that promotes both interdisciplinary knowledge and hands-on technical studies, including courses in soſtware reverse engineering, cybersecurity law, and mobile and cellular technologies. Te Virginia Tech Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, minor in Cybersecurity, and focus in Cyber Operations,


combined with the


university’s “hands-on, minds-on” approach to academic achievement, offer a curriculum that serves the mission of the CAE-CO.


“In order to maintain


our leadership position, the Commonwealth must create and sustain a highly qualified cyber security workforce,” said Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson.


“Having


a CAE-CO at Virginia Tech is a differentiator for the Commonwealth.”


years, we have made it a top priority to


our colleges


“Over the past three and a half partner with


and


universities as they work to earn these prestigious designations from the NSA,” said Secretary of Education Dietra Trent. “Virginia Tech’s success in this endeavor puts us one step closer to making education relevant for the


21st century and preparing all of our students for the careers of the future.”


this


“Virginia Tech is proud to receive designation,”


says Dr. Charles


Clancy, Director of Virginia Tech’s Hume Center for National Security and Technology.


“Virginia Tech has a


strong legacy of service to the nation embodied in our school motto, Ut Prosim (Tat I May Serve), and this program will only enhance our efforts to prepare the next generation of leaders in the critical fields of cyber security and cyber operations.”


Virginia Tech will hold the


CAE-CO designation for five academic years, from 2017 to 2022. Virginia Tech has


received a previous designation


as an NSA Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, and is also designated by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence as an Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence.


last October, over 110


schools and nearly 7,000 students have gained first-hand experience in cyber careers and explored the skills and tools used by NSA cyber professionals.


Te 7 schools in Virginia who


have a quarter or more of students participating are:


Battlefield High School students (37 percent)


• Mary Williams Elementary School - 542 students (55 percent)


• Pocahontas Middle School - 540 students (57 percent)


• Spotsylvania High School - 362 students (30 percent)


• Heritage High School - 275 students (24 percent)


• Hamilton Holmes Middle School – 128 students (24 percent)


• Galax Middle School - 78 students (29 percent)


“Governor McAuliffe’s ‘NSA Day Scholarship Watch Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grant Program


Wells Fargo is strongly invested in supporting our nation's veterans, including a commitment to assist them in completing postsecondary education programs to help them return to, and succeed in, a competitive job market. The Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grant Program provides emergency financial grants to veterans already enrolled in postsecondary education who might otherwise be forced to drop out of college because of unforeseen financial emergencies. These grants will help veterans meet their household expenses and ensure they are able to stay in school without creating undue financial hardship for themselves or their families.


The program is administered by Scholarship America, the nation's largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability or national origin.


Eligibility


Applicants to the Wells Fargo Veterans Emergency Grant Program must:


Be honorably-discharged veterans or spouses of disabled veterans who have served in the United States military, including the Reserves and National Guard, and have received a Certificate of Eligibility from the Department of Veterans Affairs or another document of service.


Be students who are already enrolled in full-time undergraduate or graduate (first Master’s degree) study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school*.


*College must not be on warning or probationary status with the federal government, or must not be in litigation with the federal government or a state.


Be Pell-eligible and have applied for Title IV and completed


FAFSA to ensure full discovery of actual unmet need.


Use any military education benefits for which they are eligible in the current academic year.


Have a minimum grade point average


of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent. Emergency Grants


Emergency grants are available to eligible veterans who are enrolled in postsecondary education and experience unexpected financial difficulties that might cause them to drop out from school. Grants are available for a one- time distribution with a suggested maximum of up to $750, but not to exceed $1,000 each based on the cost of the emergency need.


Identify one emergency need for consideration. Grants can be used for eligible expenses which include: • Housing/Rent •


Utilities


• Medical/Dental expenses • Personal automobile repair expenses • •


Public transportation/Bus pass Childcare


There is no application deadline, but grants will be awarded on an ongoing basis until funds are exhausted.


Apply Online Now: www.scholarsapply.org/wellsfargoveteransemergency


- 997


of Cyber’ School Challenge inspired students and educators from across the Commonwealth to learn more about the careers of the future,” said Secretary of Education Dietra Trent. “As we work to build an education system that is relevant to the 21st century, programs like the ‘Day of Cyber’ help us achieve this ambitious goal by providing our students with life-changing opportunities that didn’t exist even 5 years ago.”


"Te Commonwealth currently


has 36,000 open cyber positions. We must do everything we can to build a sustainable workforce pipeline capable of meeting industry needs now and into the future,” said Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson. “Te ‘NSA Day of Cyber Challenge’ was a great opportunity for the Commonwealth to provide a ‘no risk’ opportunity for students to explore cyber careers, test their cyber acumen, and hopefully be inspired to pursue a career in a cyber-related field."


“We applaud the leadership by


Virginia's teachers with the ‘NSA Day of Cyber School Challenge’,” said LifeJourney CEO Rick Geritz. “As a result,


thousands of their students


have begun their journey in the fastest growing STEM career in the world. In addition, the parents of these students are better equipped with the knowledge and tools to help their sons and daughters excel in this new digital economy.”


division


Student representatives and leadership


from the


winning schools will be invited to a reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Richmond, where they will be recognized for their accomplish- ments.


Te “NSA Day of Cyber” is supported by LifeJourney USA.


June 2017 Winners Announced for the 'NSA


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