WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (August 2, 2023) – MassBay Community College’s cybersecurity program has been highlighted by The White House in the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy (NCWES) announcement. The Biden-Harris Administration intends to implement a “first-of-its-kind comprehensive approach aimed at addressing both immediate and long-term cyber workforce needs.” The goal of the NCWES is to make generational investments, filling hundreds of thousands of cyber job vacancies in the U.S. and strengthening our national security.
“The mention of MassBay’s cybersecurity agenda by the White House is an exciting reminder that what we are doing here at MassBay is a national priority,” said MassBay President David Podell. “The hands-on cybersecurity skills education we provide is being recognized by the White House because it strengthens our nation’s workforce, lifts people into jobs with good wages and upward mobility, and because it fortifies our industries, government, and communities against the growing cyber threats of today. It is a proud day for our students, alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and supporters – we are committed to continuing to grow our capacity for high-quality, practical training right here in the MetroWest.”
The announcement highlights MassBay’s cybersecurity program, which includes the only associate degree in cybersecurity being offered in Massachusetts. It also praises the college for advancements the College is in the process of implementing, including increasing the number of cybersecurity faculty, “allowing an expected increase in MassBay cybersecurity enrollment by more than 40 students, and strengthening its cybersecurity program through the addition of a cyber range.”
MassBay has responded to the growing regional and national need for well-trained cybersecurity professionals by creating a Center for Cybersecurity Education. The Center is built around MassBay’s cybersecurity programs (certificates and associate degree programs) which align with national frameworks and educational guidelines.
“We are thrilled our Cybersecurity program has been recognized by the White House for the critical role we play in building a stronger economy,” said MassBay Dean of STEM, Chitra Javdekar.
“Our faculty have worked tirelessly on creating the outstanding curriculum of our programs, which we then bring to key partners. MassBay’s future plans will encompass critical cybersecurity training, not just for college and high school students, but also for employees from businesses, municipalities, school systems, and non-profit organizations in the Greater Boston area. The growing volume and negative impact of cyber threats affects all of us, so at MassBay we have positioned ourselves as cybersecurity leaders in order to have the greatest impact in our communities.”
“MassBay is well suited to preparing students to be in this industry,” said Tyler Tracy of Milford, MA, who earned his Associate in Science Degree in Cybersecurity from MassBay in 2019 and is currently a post-sale security engineer for a Boston software company. “I started in the associate degree program and the original plan was to go into a four-year program afterward. But, I ended up getting a good job and just stuck with it.”
For more information on the MassBay Center for Cybersecurity Education or Cybersecurity programs at MassBay, visit https://www.massbay.edu/cybersecurity.
Applications for the fall semester are being accepted now, and fall classes at MassBay begin on Tuesday, September 5, 2023.
To learn more about MassBay, visit massbay.edu
MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston, offering a robust portfolio of courses and more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley Hills, and online. MassBay students receive an unmatched educational value by earning stackable credits that transfer to bachelor’s degree programs, and workforce-ready skills necessary to advance careers in high-demand fields such as health and life sciences, automotive technology, engineering, business, cybersecurity, and the humanities. MassBay’s Associate Degree in Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing (LPN) programs were both ranked as the #1 Nursing Program in Massachusetts in 2020-2021 by national nursing advocacy organizations RegisteredNursing.org, and PracticalNursing.org. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and remains firmly committed to its mission of meeting the needs of the diverse local communities it serves. We value the intrinsic worth of all individuals, collectively in pursuit of inclusiveness and prioritize our work towards achieving equity within our community and beyond.
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