By University Communications
Thursday, 10 27 2022

Texas A&M University-San Antonio the only regional university to offer cyber concentrations in BAAS-IT, CIS-IT and Computer Science at the undergraduate level

SAN ANTONIO — The Department of Defense announced a $55 million grant to five consortium awardees under the national defense education program (NDEP). Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-San Antonio) is part of The Military City USA Consortium (MCUSA) awardees led by the Alamo College system.

Dr. Akhtar Lodgher, regents professor and director of the Center of Information Technology and Cyber Security at A&M-San Antonio, worked collaboratively with the Alamo College District to achieve the grant and will serve as the principal investigator for A&M-San Antonio.

"The grant will strengthen the existing pipeline of students pursuing studies in cyber security by scaffolding the transition from community college to university programs, attaining the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) cyber defense education (CDE) certification, and ramping up cyber security careers through internships. It will increase the confidence and motivation, especially of veterans, in launching them into these high-demand cyber security careers as well as STEM careers," said Dr. Lodgher.

Dr. Lodgher highlighted the uniqueness of the Texas A&M University-San Antonio BAAS-IT cyber program, since it is the only regional State university that accepts professional credits (through military, community college and professional certification) allowing students to graduate faster. In addition, A&M-San Antonio offers a BS program in cyber security and cyber concentrations in CIS-IT and Computer Science at the undergraduate level. A&M-San Antonio is also the only State university in the region that includes the NSA/DHS Cyber Defense Education (CDE) certificate as part of the undergraduate curriculum; therefore, when a student graduates, they earn the undergraduate diploma and the prestigious NSA/DHS CDE certificate.

The grant will disperse among The MCUSA Consortium, which includes the Alamo Colleges, A&M-San Antonio, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and the Teaching Institute for Excellence in STEM, supporting six Hispanic and one historically black college and university to strengthen a diverse STEM ecosystem. This grant will also help A&M-San Antonio strengthen the 2+2 program designed to accept students who have earned their associates in computer science and help them complete their bachelor’s degree in four additional semesters.

The MCUSA consortium will receive up to $11 million over six years to serve more than 1,200 students in underserved communities and populations.

"We thank the Department of Defense for recognizing how critical it is to create a STEM workforce pipeline for our country's future," said Dr. Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges District Chancellor. "We are excited to increase the number of our students who earn a STEM credential in our community and further diversify the population of STEM workers."

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 About Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Established as a stand-alone university in 2009, Texas A&M University-San Antonio is a comprehensive four-year public university that reflects the culturally diverse, heritage-rich community it serves. Situated on nearly 700 acres in south San Antonio, the University offers 37 undergraduate degrees and 19 graduate degrees to nearly 7,300 students. A&M-San Antonio is home to the Henry G. Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders and the Cyber Engineering Technology/Cyber Security Research Center. The University holds the Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation and is one of only 30 higher education institutions in the U.S. to have received the Seal of Excelencia certification from Excelencia in Education for its support of Latino student success. More than 77 percent of A&M-SA students identify as Hispanic, and approximately 60 percent are the first in their family to attend college. A&M-San Antonio is a military-embracing institution; in 2020, Military Times ranked the University No. 35 in the nation for “Best for Vets: Colleges.” Visit tamusa.edu for more information. #onamission