CLARKSTON, GA — High school students in DeKalb, Newton and Rockdale counties will soon have an inroad into the critical and in-demand field of cybersecurity, thanks to a $473,394 grant awarded to Georgia Piedmont Technical College (GPTC) by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF).
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s 2023 Strategic Plan, the United States faces a lack of qualified and diverse cyber professionals. Compounding these concerns, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected a 32 percent increase in cyber-related careers through 2032, resulting in nearly 17,000 job openings annually in 2024.
To improve the transition from K-12 to higher education and careers, and to address the need for skilled technicians, GPTC will establish a one-year dual enrollment pathway for high school students to earn 18 college credits through a technical certificate (TCC) in cybersecurity fundamentals over two semesters, utilizing grant funds. Over three years, the College will recruit 135 students into the program, where they will gain hands-on, experiential learning through collaboration with local school systems and industry partners.
The Cybersecurity Pathways for High School Education and Readiness, or CYPHER, project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program within the NSF, focusing on training technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation’s economy.
“We are incredibly grateful to NSF and the ATE program for this award. What is exciting about CYPHER is that it is not just about classroom learning. It is about connecting students with the real world,” said Kristin Corkhill, GPTC’s director of strategic initiatives. “We are building something that matters for our students and our local workforce.”
Following foundational courses in network security, risk management and digital forensics, the year-long program will culminate in a showcase event where students will present their skills to peers, faculty and industry professionals.
GPTC representatives anticipate that the initiative will further strengthen the K-12 pipeline by establishing a pathway into future enrollment in the College’s cybersecurity diploma and associate degree programs, as well as other emerging technology careers, and by creating an entry point into the workforce in a crucial field.
“The impact of this grant is significant. It gives high school students the unique opportunity to engage directly with the cybersecurity field and is a valuable step in preparing them for the world’s technological challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” noted GPTC President Tavarez Holston.
The recent cybersecurity education grant represents the fourth NSF award received by GPTC in a single year, marking a major milestone for the College. Other NSF grants awarded to GPTC focus on mechatronics training for both high school students and military veterans, a regional partnership for workforce and innovation collaboration, and a partnership with Penn State for training semiconductor and microelectronics technicians.
“NSF funding is highly competitive, and this continued recognition positions GPTC as a leader among technical and community colleges nationwide. We are proud to be advancing innovation, strengthening workforce connections, and helping students bridge the gap between the classroom and careers,” Corkhill added.
The first cohort of high school students in the cybersecurity program will begin in the upcoming fall semester, in August, with additional cohorts added throughout the life of the NSF grant, until 2028.
For more information on GPTC’s diploma and associate degree programs in cybersecurity, visit www.gptc.edu. High school students interested in dual enrollment opportunities at GPTC should contact their local school counselors.