October 1, 2021— Bellingham, Wash. – Whatcom Community College (WCC), home of the National Cybersecurity Training and Education Center (NCyTE), will receive a $7.5 million Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) on October 1^st. The grant will elevate NCyTE to an ATE National Center. The NSF’s ATE program funds institutions that develop innovative approaches in educating highly skilled technicians for in-demand industries.

Over the next five years, NCyTE will use the grant funds to expand cybersecurity education pathways, develop and implement leading-edge curriculums, cultivate industry engagement and career opportunities, and support faculty and leadership development in cybersecurity education.

“This substantial funding will significantly enhance the impact of NCyTE’s ongoing efforts to diversify and expand our nation’s cybersecurity workforce,” said Corrinne Sande, director of NCyTE and Computer Sciences and Information Systems at WCC. “It will increase the center’s ability to improve the quality of college cybersecurity programs, update skills and knowledge of faculty through academies, and expand trainings and partnerships with industry. We are truly honored by this recognition.”

Corrinne Sande is the principal investigator on the NSF ATE grant project. Co-principal investigators are:

Stephen D. Miller, Eastern New Mexico University—Ruidoso, NM, Department Chair of Information Technology and Cyber Security Center of Excellence

Dr. Tony Coulson, California State University, San Bernardino, CA, Professor of Information and Decision Sciences, and Executive Director of Cyber Security Center

Dr. J. Philip Craiger, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, Professor of Cybersecurity Security Studies and International Affairs Department

Dr. John Sands, Moraine Valley Community College, Palo Hills, IL, Professor of Information Technology and Department Chair of the Computer Integrated Technology Department

Over the last eight years, NCyTE has achieved national recognition for its leadership and ability to develop and disseminate innovative technological and educational programs. NCyTE’s efforts to address workforce expansion have far-reaching, critical impacts against the ever-evolving cybersecurity threats our country faces. There are currently more than 450,000 cybersecurity job openings in the U.S.—a number that highlights the growing demand for skilled professionals capable of protecting the nation.

"Cyberattacks are increasing at an alarming rate and targeting our critical infrastructure. As the stakes grow higher, nothing is more important than increasing the quality and quantity of our cybersecurity workforce. NCyTE is at the forefront of this effort,” said Jim Reavis, CEO, Cloud Security Alliance.

About NCyTE: The National Cybersecurity Training & Education (NCyTE) Center is funded by the National Science Foundation. NCyTE's mission is to increase the quantity and quality of the cybersecurity workforce throughout the nation. NCyTE Center is based in Bellingham, WA at Whatcom Community College. For more information visit www.ncyte.net.

About Whatcom: Whatcom Community College in Bellingham, WA is regularly recognized as one of the top community colleges in the nation for student outcomes. The College, a destination for cybersecurity, healthcare and business studies, offers two bachelor of applied science degrees, transfer degrees, career and workforce preparation, online courses, and community education classes. New high school graduates, laid-off workers, seasoned employees, future university students — all students count on WCC to support their academic and career goals. For more information, visit www.whatcom.edu.

Contact: Toyo Garber, NCyTE Center Marketing & Communications Manager, TGarber@whatcom.edu, 360-383-3176