| NSF Org: |
DUE Division Of Undergraduate Education |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | March 29, 2021 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | May 21, 2021 |
| Award Number: | 2054966 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Paul Tymann
ptymann@nsf.gov (703)292-2832 DUE Division Of Undergraduate Education EDU Directorate for STEM Education |
| Start Date: | July 1, 2021 |
| End Date: | June 30, 2024 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $300,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $300,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
300 N MAIN ST VERSAILLES KY US 40383-1245 (859)256-3397 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
1 Bert Combs Drive Prestonsburg KY US 41653-1815 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): | Advanced Tech Education Prog |
| Primary Program Source: |
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| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.076 |
ABSTRACT
The arrival of a 288-strand fiber optic cable system in fall 2019 was the first step in providing a high-speed, high-capacity broadband connection to businesses and residents in Central Appalachia. The resulting growth in the Central Appalachian digital economy has created unprecedented challenges and opportunities for region?s current skilled technical workforce and future talent pipelines. As business and service providers in the region use this high-speed infrastructure, there is an increased need for skilled cybersecurity technicians. To meet this need, this project will design and offer Kentucky?s first associate degree in Cybersecurity. Design of the new degree program will be informed by regional industry needs and federal standards. This project intends to increase understanding of effective recruitment strategies, student support services, and curricular design in Cybersecurity education for remote rural environments such as Central Appalachia.
This project will use the Business and Leadership Team framework as published by the National Convergence Technology Center to validate course content and learning outcomes for an associate of applied science degree program in Cybersecurity. Student success will be supported by implementing a student cohort program model, embedding a contextualized first-year experience course into the curriculum, and providing tutoring. Students will participate in external opportunities such as the National Cybersecurity Student Association, Cyberleague competition, and apprenticeships. The project team will work closely with other NSF ATE projects in Cybersecurity, the National Center for Systems Security and Information Assurance at Moraine Valley Community College, and the National CyberWatch Center to adapt course content and create exercises for remote and virtual delivery. This project is funded by the Advanced Technological Education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced-technology fields that drive the nation's economy.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
The NSF (National Science Foundation) ATE (Advanced Technological Education) project focuses on creating a Cybersecurity technician pipeline from high school to community college and beyond. The scope includes the creation of an AAS (associate in applied science) degree for a rural community college in eastern Kentucky through collaboration with a sister college in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. The degree aligns with the NICE (National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education) framework and the Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense guidelines. The degree has four tracks with eight embedded certificates with twenty-eight students currently enrolled:
Tracks
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Cyber Forensics
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Network Defense
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Secure Coding
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Cyber Science
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Cryptography Fundamentals
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Cyber Defense
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Cyber Forensics
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Cyber Network and Forensics Fundamentals
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Network Defense
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Secure Coding-Advanced
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Secure Coding
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Secure Coding-CIT Bridge
To make a clear pathway from area high schools, the grant team created two classes, CYS 101 Cybersecurity Foundations, and CYS 100 Cybersecurity Orientation, which are used for dual credit and offered to area high school students. Efforts have also been focused on transfer opportunities for program graduates. Thus far the team working with a sister college has negotiated seamless transfer agreements with two four-year university Cybersecurity programs.
The grant team created a CyberBILT (Cybersecurity Business and Industry Leadership Team) consisting of eleven Cybersecurity industry professionals in the college’s service region. The purpose of the CyberBILT is to:
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Validate, rank, and prioritize the curriculum
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Serve as internship hosts
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Guide the program when new technologies/opportunities arise
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Increase rapport between the community and the college
Professional development for faculty was also a focus of the grant. As a result, the three faculty members teaching in the Cybersecurity program achieved the following certifications:
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Three faculty members received the CompTIA Security + certifications
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Two faculty members received the CEH certifications
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One faculty member received the CompTIA CySA+ certification
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One faculty member received CompTIA Pen Test+ Certification
Intellectual Merit:
The new cybersecurity technician pathway allows students in economically distressed counties in Kentucky to gain access to a high-demand and high-wage industry while working remotely. The AAS degree in Cybersecurity is also available to any college in the Kentucky Community and Technical College system.
The grant team created a cybersecurity-based escape room and cryptography exercises to take to area high schools to recruit students into the Cybersecurity program. The program faculty reached 1,748 students from fall 2022 to spring 2024. Through the grant, faculty networked to find out about GenCyber grant opportunities. Thus far, the grant team has received three GenCyber grants, reaching 39 multi-discipline middle and high school teachers and 19 high school students. The lesson plan for the escape room was also shared with the NICE K12 Education Community of Interest.
Broader Impacts
Teachers participating in the GenCyber academy will continue to share information with students in classes of different disciplines. The information on the Cybersecurity program and the NSF ATE grant has been shared through several conference venues and the GenCyber programs. The AAS degree can also be taught and offered by the other fifteen colleges throughout the Kentucky Community and Technical College system. Two of the fifteen colleges are currently teaching the curriculum.
Last Modified: 08/03/2024
Modified by: Kathryn L Miller
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