The presidents were accompanied by key staff from the academic and administrative departments of the College and University. From NVCC, Dr. Lisa Dresdner, Dean of Academic Affairs summarized the development of NVCC’s Cybersecurity program since the 2015 Industry Sector Summit with industry partners including COCC, Webster Bank, Department of Emergency Services & Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. The cybersecurity degree program was officially sanctioned by the Board of Regents (BOR) of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) in 2016. In the fall of 2016, the program had 3 students, by the fall 2017 it had grown to 42 students, about half of whom came through the Federal Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). 

From Southern CT State University, Dr. Robert Prezant, Provost; Dr. Terricita Sass, Vice President Enrollment Management; and Dr. Lisa Lancor, Computer Science Department Chair participated in the group discussion about how to serve students by making the transition to a 4-year degree easier. The conversations centered on how to define the 60 credits needed to move into the advanced degree by building strong channels to simplify the transition. NVCC colleagues including Sandra Eddy, Professor, Computer Information Systems; Sarah Gager, Dean of Student Services; Mitch Holmes, Business Division Director; Earl Ormond, J.D., Associate Professor/Program Coordinator of Criminal Justice, supported the discussion.

President De Filippis suggested the group seek grant funding to support further study of the curriculum and its relevance to job opportunities in cybersecurity. Results of this faculty research and collaboration would be the integrated curriculum mutually beneficial to students and regional employers.  A follow-up meeting is planned for October 2018.