On February 28, 2023, Enterprise State Community College’s Computer Information Science (CIS) (Information Security and Assurance Option) Associate in Applied Science was validated by the National Security Agency (NSA) after a review conducted by the NSA in partnership with a committee of academic peers.

Enterprise State Community College (ESCC) is committed to providing students with rich educational experiences. The NSA validation is an affirmation of the core values of ESCC which are: excellence, community, innovation, and commitment. 

“The associate’s degree in information security and assurance was developed to address the shortage of skilled cybersecurity professionals,” says Rosalyn Warren, CIS instructor.

NSA’s validation is evidence that the ESCC’s information security and assurance degree option meets the gold standard of curriculum and learning outcomes. The program contributes to the protection of the National Information Infrastructure by preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. 

The information security and assurance program is a 76-credit associate’s degree program available face-to-face and online. Applications are accepted in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The NSA certification is valid until 2028.

Today, Enterprise State Community College (ESCC) announced its participation in AWS Academy, an Amazon Web Services (AWS) program that provides higher education institutions with a ready-to-teach cloud computing curriculum. ESCC courses will embed AWS cloud-based instructional resources that will prepare students to pursue careers in the fast-growing cloud computing space and industry-recognized AWS Certifications. 

The AWS Academy curriculum is developed and maintained by AWS subject matter experts, ensuring that it reflects current services and up-to-date best practices. Courses are taught by AWS Academy-accredited educators who are trained by AWS to help students become proficient in AWS technology. 

“We are proud to make the AWS Academy curriculum available to our students,” said Rosalyn Warren, CIS Instructor. “The rapid rise of computing is creating a growing number of high-quality jobs at organizations around the world, and the technical skills that students develop through this program will position them well for their careers today and in the future.”

The Computer Information Science (CIS) department at Enterprise State Community College (ESCC) has been making great strides in forging alliances and partnerships with the IT industry. The relationships afford students and faculty many benefits such as invites to IT conferences and events, guest lectures, and scholarships. The CIS department has formed alliances with the following organizations:

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) – Training Provider
• IBM 
• RedHat Academy
• AWS Partner Network
• CYBER.ORG (K-12) 
• Ncyte Educational Member
• Oracle Academic Partner
• CompTIA Academic Partner
• Cisco Networking Academy
• EC-Council Academia Partner
• Microsoft Learn for Educators
• Palo Alto Cybersecurity Academy
• VMWare IT Academy
• National Cyberwatch Center Member
• USCyberCom’s Academic Engagement Network
• Fortinet Academic Partner
• Ghithub Education
• Skillstorm
• Advantage Consulting and Solutions

The CIS department is selective in forging relationships with organizations that support the mission of ESCC. The alliances enable faculty to embed supplemental instructional resources, badges, and certifications into CIS courses often at a discount or free. While in the program, CIS students create professional LinkedIn profiles to showcase their certifications and badges which give them a competitive edge. Instructors also have the option to recommend or endorse students on specific skills. “It’s really exciting to witness students’ professional development as they earn credentials while simultaneously earning their degree”, said Rosalyn Warren, CIS instructor.

Today, Enterprise State Community College (ESCC) announced participation in the Microsoft Learn for Educators program. With access to the tools and materials included in the program, ESCC will be able to offer courses for students to obtain industry-recognized Microsoft certifications for various technologies.

Microsoft Learn for Educators takes the best of Microsoft Learn online learning paths and supporting instructor-led training materials and brings them into the classroom. Eligible educators and faculty members can access Microsoft’s ready-to-teach curriculum and teaching materials aligned to industry-recognized Microsoft Certifications.

“The ability to earn Microsoft certifications while earning an associate’s degree in computer information science will give ESCC students a competitive advantage”, said Rosalyn Warren, CIS Instructor. “By coupling the expertise and talents of faculty with the technical content available from Microsoft, students will have the opportunity to gain valuable, in-demand skills as well as Microsoft certifications through their school’s curriculum,” said, Rachel Wortman Morris, Ph.D., Future Skills Transformation Lead, Microsoft Worldwide Learning. 

This program is empowering students to learn Microsoft technology fundamentals. The embedded certifications augment the CIS program and validate the skills needed to be successful across a variety of technical careers.