Hostos Community College was recently selected as one of 14 community colleges across the nation to participate in the Cyber Skills for All initiative’s second cohort. This project gives the College technical assistance and support for its cybersecurity program. The award is made possible by a partnership between the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and Microsoft. In addition to receiving a grant of $20,000, Hostos’ participants will engage with a collective consisting of a community college workforce and executives to build high-quality and industry-relevant programs for economic opportunity.

This recognition positions Hostos as a national contributor to cybersecurity’s current demands. “Receiving this award is a significant achievement for us. As a Hispanic-serving institution, this award highlights the importance of providing access to cybersecurity education and training opportunities to underrepresented communities. This accolade also indicates that Hostos is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals and contribute to bridging the current skills gap in the field,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Shiang-Kwei Wang.

 “Cyber skills have become increasingly important for community colleges to provide students as their need from the workforce continues to grow,” said Dr. Walter G. Bumphus, AACC’s president and CEO. “Selected community colleges will have the opportunity to learn best practices from one another to deliver high-quality, industry-relevant cyber skills education to all students.”

In response to the crisis, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Philanthropies, Kate Behncken, highlighted the need for skilled professionals today. 

“The United States faces a cybersecurity skills crisis – we simply don’t have enough people to combat the increasing number of cybersecurity attacks. By working with AACC we can help ensure there are enough people with the necessary skills to keep organizations secure and people safe.”

Other institutions part of this second cohort include Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, University of Arkansas Cossatot, North Hennepin Community College (Minnesota), Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech, Kansas), Community College of Philadelphia, Central Community College (Nebraska), Bellevue College (Washington), Southwest Tennessee Community College, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College (West Virginia), College of Western Idaho, Tulsa Community College (Oklahoma), City Colleges of Chicago, and College of Southern Nevada. 

Part of the grant money will fund the creation of a new degree program in Cybersecurity at Hostos. Mathematics Professor, Nieves Angulo, will lead the curriculum development of this initiative. 

About Eugenio María de Hostos Community College
Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities for over half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs.
 
Hostos offers 28 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate secure transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 25 colleges.           
 
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If you would like more information, please email Ivano Leoncavallo, Director of Communications (ileoncavallo@hostos.cuny.edu).