University Receives National Center of Academic Excellence Designation

Jacksonville State University has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Information Assurance Education for academic years 2009-2014. The actual application process and self-study began in early 2008, undertaken by a team comprised of Drs. Guillermo Francia, Monica Trifas, and Aaron Garrett from the Department of Mathematical, Computing, and Information Sciences (MCIS).

The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly sponsor the National Centers of Academic Excellence in IA Education (CAEIAE) and CAE-Research (CAE-R) programs. The goal of these programs is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in IA and producing a growing number of professionals with IA expertise in various disciplines. Designation as a CAEIAE or CAE-R is valid for five academic years, after which the school must successfully reapply in order to retain its CAE designation.

Students attending these designated schools are eligible to apply for scholarships and grants through the Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship Program and the Federal Cyber Service Scholarship for Service Program.

JSU is the first non-terminal degree granting university in Alabama to receive this designation, and the third overall, behind Auburn University and the University of Alabama in Huntsville. An award ceremony recognizing this achievement will be held on June 3, 2009 at the 13th Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education (CISSE) in Seattle, Washington.

 

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