Arkansas Delta Information Systems and Cyber Technician Education Initiative

在信息系统技术和网络安全方面，对合格技术人员的需求不断增长。在农村地区，如阿肯色州三角洲地区，由于信息安全人才严重短缺，这种需求甚至更强烈。不幸的是，在这些领域接受教育的学生可能连入门课程都准备不足。因此，他们需要额外的辅导和其他学术支持才能取得成功。经济拮据也使学生难以获得完成学位或其他培训项目所需的资源。该项目旨在提高信息系统和网络技术人员进入劳动力市场的能力。具体来说，阿肯色大学菲利普斯社区学院将实施战略，以提高完成学院信息系统项目学位或证书的熟练技术人员的质量和能力。该项目还旨在提高具备该项目所需教学资格的教师的质量和能力。该计划的毕业生有望帮助满足阿肯色州，密西西比州和田纳西州三州地区的就业市场需求。该项目将实施旨在支持学生和教师的活动。学生招聘活动包括暑期研讨会、高中外展和午餐职业信息会议。学生保留和支持活动包括辅导和学习小组。体验式教育，包括使用实践经验和高科技虚拟化产品，将通过给学生机会将课堂知识与现实世界的经验联系起来，扩大和加强课程。额外的混合课程和在线课程将为无法参加传统面对面课程的学生提供服务。与工业界的合作伙伴关系将扩大，一个工业顾问委员会将帮助指导该计划，并为学生提供实习和工作机会。最后，教师培训和认证支持将确保教师使用最有效的教学方法，学生获得最新的内容。该项目将加强学院与社区之间的联系，为毕业生提供在该地区获得技术工作的机会，填补就业缺口，并成为社区的重要成员。该项目由先进技术教育计划资助，该计划侧重于为推动国家经济的先进技术领域培养技术人员。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

There is a growing demand for qualified technicians in information systems technology and cyber security. In rural areas such as the Arkansas Delta region, this demand is even stronger because of a severe talent shortage in the information security workforce. Unfortunately, students pursuing education in these fields may be underprepared for even introductory courses. As a result, they need additional tutoring and other academic supports to be successful. Financial constraints also make it difficult for students to obtain the necessary resources to complete their degree or other training programs. This project aims to increase the capacity to prepare information systems and cyber technicians to enter the workforce. Specifically, Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas will implement strategies to increase the quality and capacity of skilled technicians completing degrees or certificates in the College's Information Systems program. The project also aims to increase the quality and capacity of faculty who have the required credentials to teach in the program. Graduates of the program are expected to help meet the demand in the job market across the tristate area of Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee. This project will implement activities designed to support students and faculty. Student recruitment activities include summer workshops, high school outreach, and lunchtime career information sessions. Student retention and support activities include tutoring and study groups. Experiential education, including the use of hands-on experiences and high-tech virtualization products, will expand and enhance the curriculum by giving students the opportunity to connect classroom knowledge with real world experiences. Additional hybrid and online courses will serve students who are unable to participate in traditional face-to-face classes. Partnerships with industry will be expanded and an industrial advisory board will help guide the program and connect students with internship and job opportunities. Finally, faculty training and certification support will ensure that faculty use the most effective pedagogy and students acquire the most current content. This project will strengthen the connections between the college and the community by providing the opportunity for graduates to secure technician jobs in the area, fill the employment gap, and become vital members of the community. 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.