Nov 24th, 2020
Jackson State Community College's Department of Computer Information Technology (CIT) will host two information sessions for new students via Zoom conference. The first session will be held on Monday, December 7 from 9 to 10 a.m. The second session will be held on Tuesday, December 8 from 5 to 6 p.m. To register and receive a link to one of the sessions, contact Stacey Dunevant at sdunevant@jscc.edu.
The CIT program at JSCC offers several concentrations including Information Systems, Computer Science, Cyber Defense, Networking, and Programming. The program has received many accolades and certifications over the years and is widely recognized as one of the area's premier colleges for education in the field of computer information technology.
JSCC is certified as a National Center of Academic Excellence by the U.S. National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. This designation puts Jackson State among an elite group of institutions across the country offering computer information technology courses that meet rigorous federal standards and sets graduating students apart from others, said Dr. Tom Pigg, Jackson State's Dean of Health Sciences and Computer Information Technology.
Jackson State also has partnered with Cisco Systems, a national manufacturer of network infrastructure hardware, to be one of Cisco's academic support centers. With a curriculum created by Cisco, Jackson State trains teachers at other high schools and colleges.
"We are the only program in Tennessee accredited to teach the instructors," Dr. Pigg said.
Jackson State continues to expand what it offers in the cyber defense program. A new Cyber Security Technical Certificate allows students to be certified as they work towards an associate degree.
Jackson State's leadership and growth in its cybersecurity program comes at a time when the United States is facing a critical shortage of cybersecurity professionals and educators in all sectors. Some estimates place the national shortfall at more than 250,000 in 2020.