Excelsior College To Co-Lead in Initiative to Establish Cybersecurity Pipeline
Albany, N.Y. —Amelia Estwick, PhD, director of the National Cybersecurity Institute at Excelsior College, was recently named co-lead of the national Cybersecurity Education Diversity Initiative (CEDI) Coalition along with Thaier Hayajneh of the Fordham Center for Cybersecurity at Fordham University. CEDI is a national workforce development initiative that aims to close the gap in cybersecurity talent through a partnership with the National Security Agency (NSA), Maryland Innovation & Security Institute (MISI), and the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs (DoD/OSBP). This partnership provides an academic path and pipeline for cybersecurity students to enter the field of cybersecurity equipped with the knowledge, skills, and training necessary to fill critical cybersecurity jobs.
“On behalf of Excelsior College, I am excited to co-lead this initiative with academic and industry peers to help address the nation’s critical cybersecurity talent gap and provide equitable access to cybersecurity education, training, and jobs,” stated Estwick. Estwick is also an educator and cybersecurity professional with more than 20 years of experience working in research and federal cyber operations.
Excelsior College is a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE), a designation received from the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Schools meet rigorous requirements in order to receive CAE designation, and their degree programs are required to map to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NIST/NICE). Excelsior’s fully online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program maps to the NICE standards and prepares students with the technical knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the cybersecurity industry. Excelsior also offers a master’s degree in cybersecurity to prepare students for mid-career and senior-level leadership positions in the growing field.
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Media Contact:
Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-410-4624
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.
