Excelsior College Places First in National Cyber League Competition
Albany, N.Y. — Team Excelsior earned first place in the competitive Cyber Power Rankings of the National Cyber League (NCL) spring competition.
Held biannually, the NCL is an inclusive, performance-based, learning-centered collegiate cybersecurity competition. Students who participate in the NCL gain advantages such as cybersecurity experience, preparation for the workplace, and increasing their competition skill level.
Under the guidance of Team Captain, Trainer, and National Cybersecurity Institute Fellow Weylin Leavitt, Excelsior College had 28 students and alumni who participated in the individual, preseason, and the team games. For the team games, Excelsior created four teams led by Team Captains: Weylin Leavitt (a master’s in cybersecurity graduate), Todd Kresbach (a master’s in cybersecurity graduate), Stephanie Barnes (a master’s in cybersecurity student), and Steven Meredith (a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Technology Management student). Each team collaborated, trained, and spent countless hours competing on the challenges, which resulted in Excelsior College placing No. 1 in the Top 100 schools in the NCL and Excelsior placing No. 2 in the NCL Team games.
Amelia Estwick, director of the National Cybersecurity Institute at Excelsior College and faculty advisor for the NCL, stated, “I’ve been advising Excelsior’s NCL teams for over 4 years and this is our top placement! I’m so proud of our students for accomplishing this goal. The students demonstrated strong determination and incredible skill throughout the competition. Thank you to our team captains who stepped up to lead and share their expertise with their teammates. Congratulations, Team Excelsior!”
Excelsior’s bachelor’s and master’s programs in cybersecurity prepare students to prevent, detect, counter, and recover from cyber incidents. The National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security have designated Excelsior College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
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Media Contact Excelsior College:
Erin Coufal, ecoufal@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8498
ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE
Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is an accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity. Learn more at excelsior.edu.
