GenCyber @ Lord Fairfax Community College
For the past few years the NSF (National Science Foundation), and the NSA (National Security Agency), respectively, have provided funding for various summer enrichment programs, specifically aimed at introducing middle school students, high school students, and even K-12 teachers, to the world of Cybersecurity through knowledge, skills, applications, teaching, learning and training opportunities, all across the nation. The GenCyber program has been one of those continuing efforts, specifically designed to positively influence and affect the current and future needs of our nation’s lack of cybersecurity professionals, as we grapple with the looming critical shortage of women and men, young and old, from every race, background and ethnicity, needed to answer this call. We too are needed to answer the call and respond to the challenges that our nation, and the world-at-large now faces, to further the growth and development of future ethically-grounded cyber warriors, able to respond to the security issues that are prevalent in every facet of our lives.
This session will share a few highlights from one of those initiatives, while introducing audience participants to cybersecurity tools, activities, and GenCyber initiatives and activities within and around the Commonwealth of Virginia, so that they may in turn take these tools, skills, techniques, and shared knowledge back into their classrooms, and into their homes to share with their families.
We will also share plans that may offer participants the chance to join in LFCC's efforts to bring additional learning opportunities to the underserved student populations in the Northern Shenandoah Valley region, and perhaps to the Commonwealth as a whole. Session participants may also seek to pursue collaborations, or take advantage of opportunities with institutions and initiatives near or within their specific geographical regions. We ask participants that they bring their laptops, tablets, and smart phones to the session, with which they may be able to participate in a few hands-on activities, and then ultimately take what they glean back home.
Darrell W. Andrews, MEd & MS, is an Associate Professor for Information Technology at Lord Fairfax Community College – Middletown Campus, who served as a K12 teacher and administrator prior to joining LFCC. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor at both Northern Virginia Community College – Manassas Campus, and at Marymount University - Ballston.
Dr. Karen Kellison is the Dean of Business, Education, and Technology at Lord Fairfax Community College – Middletown Campus. Prior to entering higher education in 2005, she was a K12 teacher and administrator in Goochland County Public Schools and served as Director of the Blue Ridge Governor’s School.
