FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Sonji Joyner
Communications Manager, Office of Communications
Prince George’s Community College
joynersr@pgcc.edu
LARGO, Md. (October 2, 2024) — The National Cyber Security Center at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) will host a roundtable discussion on public-private partnerships in cybersecurity, featuring technology experts from Microsoft Corporation, faculty, and students. Participants will also tour the College’s new Cyber Clinic. The event will take place on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will highlight how PGCC is providing underserved communities with access to training and jobs in the cybersecurity field.
PGCC President Falecia D. Williams, Ed.D., will be joined by Congressman Glenn Ivey, D-Md, Dr. David Tobey, director of the National Cyber Security Center at PGCC; Cloudforce CEO Husein Sharaf; and officials from Microsoft. The discussion will focus on the essential role partnerships between higher education and industry play in advancing cybersecurity education and workforce development, particularly for communities that are underrepresented in the technology sector.
PGCC’s Cyber Clinic is a one-of-a-kind initiative that offers students hands-on cybersecurity training, with an emphasis on serving underrepresented communities. Under the leadership of Dr. David Tobey, the National Cyber Security Center at PGCC prepares students for careers in cybersecurity, working closely with federal agencies such as the Department of Defense and the National Security Agency, as well as private-sector partners like Cloudforce and Microsoft.
“Our center’s mission is to ensure that students are ready to learn, ready to be certified, ready to work, and ready to advance throughout a cybersecurity career,” Dr. Tobey said. “Through our partnerships with industry and government, we are creating pathways to success that benefit both our students and the nation’s cybersecurity needs.”
“Public-private partnerships are crucial to ensuring that our students receive world-class training and are positioned to enter competitive fields like cybersecurity,” Dr. Williams said. “PGCC is committed to fostering these collaborations to provide equitable access to education and career opportunities.”
"Microsoft is pleased to support PGCC's Cyber-Ready Clinic, which is designed to support individuals for successful careers in the cyber security industry and create a lasting pipeline of skilled professionals to protect our digital infrastructure,” said Allyson Knox, Senior Director of Education and Workforce Policy at Microsoft.
As part of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, PGCC will also host the Secure Artificial Intelligence Summit on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Charlene M. Dukes Student Center. These partnerships and events at the College emphasize the need to invest in programs to expand opportunities for underserved communities and meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals.
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About Prince George’s Community College
Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (2022-2027), Prince George's Community College (PGCC) provides high-quality education and training for the progressive and career-oriented residents of Prince George's County. From new high school graduates and career seekers to more seasoned professionals and senior citizens looking to enhance their skill sets, PGCC is comprised of students who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and goals. Serving nearly 25,000 individuals annually, the College is the first choice for higher education for residents of Prince George's County. Collaborative partnerships, responsive degree and training programs, and a commitment to student success enable PGCC to address diverse education and workforce development demands. For more information, visit the College website at www.pgcc.edu. Prince George’s Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (267-284-5000); www.msche.org. The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education.