| NSF Org: |
DUE Division Of Undergraduate Education |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | February 18, 2016 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | February 18, 2016 |
| Award Number: | 1501195 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Virginia Carter
vccarter@nsf.gov (703)292-4651 DUE Division Of Undergraduate Education EDU Directorate for STEM Education |
| Start Date: | March 1, 2016 |
| End Date: | February 28, 2019 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $190,733.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $190,733.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
2425 HIGHWAY 75 BLOUNTVILLE TN US 37617-6350 (423)323-3191 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
2425 Hy 75 Blountville TN US 37617-0246 |
| 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
Today more than ever organizations need cyber defense technology to protect their valuable, private, and confidential assets. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 37% from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all occupations. In 2012 the Computer and Information Sciences Department at the College developed an Information Assurance (IA) concentration focusing on cybersecurity as part of the Computer and Information Sciences Associate of Applied Science degree programs. A recently conducted DACUM identified "soft skills" as critical for success as a cybersecurity professional.
The focus of this project is to recruit and retain high school students, and provide them with combined technical, entrepreneurial, and soft skills. By modifying existing courses, developing new courses, introducing problem-based learning into the classroom, and engaging industry leaders as guest lecturers, the project will improve the quality, quantity, and diversity of cybersecurity technicians in the area workforce. Utilizing existing resources developed by the college and various ATE cybersecurity centers; the project will also build on partnerships at local high schools and expertise currently in place at industries in the college's service area. The outcome of this effort will positively impact area high schools, colleges, and local industry by providing a skillful, trained employee or a prospective continuing student in information technology and cybersecurity. The project will also employ strategies for student recruitment and retention through a variety of activities such as: visitations by faculty with high school guidance counselors, teachers and prospective students, and sponsoring high school career days. In today's competitive work environment, the required technical skills are not enough for future employers. This project will also equip students with the requisite combination of technical and soft entrepreneurial skills needed to excel in the field of cybersecurity.
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 overall goals of the NSF grant 1501195, Integrating Soft/Entrepreneurial Skills for Success in Cybersecurity were to integrate "soft skills" and entrepreneurial skills into curriculum, build enrollment in the Cyber Defense (formerly, Information Assurance) program by focusing on area high schools, NeSCC students, the community, and industry outreach, and disseminate results of the various activities.
A new entrepreneurial course (BUSN 1330: Entrepreneurship) was developed and taught during the grant period. This newly-developed course is now required in the Small Business major and as an elective for Accounting, Business, Small Business Management, and certificate programs. Students in Cyber Defense are encouraged to take the Entrepreneurship course which officially appeared in the 2017-18 NeSCC Course Catalog.
Five specific strategies, targeting different audiences (high school students, school guidance counselors and career educators, community organizations, NeSCC students, and industry), supported attainment of the second project goal. Consistent with the project's recruitment goals, the team identified and implemented strategies to recruit students from the nineteen high schools within the College's five-county service area. The project staff presented to area high school students during the bi-annual Northeast State Community College "Career Days". They also showcased the Cyber Defense Program (via booth and table demonstration) at the Annual Northeast State Community College Open House and hosted a two-day Cyber Camp for area teachers and counselors.
Table 1 clearly illustrates an increase in enrollment from 29 in AY 2014-15, two years prior to project implementation, to 48 in AY 2017-18. Female enrollments increased from 3/26 (11.5%) and 3/29 (10.3%) in the two years prior to this project to 7/33 in project Year 1 (21.2%) and 13/35 (37.1%) in project Year 2. These data indicate a significant diversification of students in this program.
| Table 1. Cyber Defense Enrollment | ||||
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 | 2017-18 | |
| Males | 26 | 29 | 33 | 35 |
| Females | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
| Total | 29 | 32 | 40 | 48 |
Through presentations and publications (brochure and booklet), table drape and stand-up banner, project information has been marketed and disseminated to a broad spectrum of audiences including the NSF-ATE PI Conferences in 2016 and 2017 and the Community College Cyber Summit. As proposed, the Computer and Information Sciences department also completed the development of a website which includes links enabling access to all project dissemination efforts.
Last Modified: 06/26/2019
Modified by: Allan Anderson
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