WCCD Announces Partnership for Alabama Cyber Security Fellowship Program
Back row, l to r: Lisa Sanders, WCCD CIS Division Director and Instructor; Patrick Adkinson, WCCD Director of Information Technology Services; Dr. Amy Mosley, WCCD CIS Instructor; Bill Earney, WCCD CIS Instructor; Mark Kelly, WCCD CIS Instructor; Martha Compton, WCCD Associate Dean, Career Technical Education Front row, l to r: Josh Hushes, Vice President Advantage Consulting; Kelvin Seldon, President Advantage Consulting; Natalie English, ACCS Executive Director of Career and Technical Education; Dr. Abigail Carter, ACCS Associate Director Computer/Information Technology Instructional Programs; Leslie Reeder, WCCD Dean of Instructional Affairs
Wallace Community College-Dothan (WCCD), in collaboration with Advantage Consulting & Solutions and the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), announces the launch of the Alabama Cyber Security Fellowship Program, a new initiative designed to provide students from three local colleges with real-world cybersecurity training and career development opportunities.
The Alabama Cyber Security Fellowship Program will help address critical workforce needs in the cybersecurity field while creating educational pathways that ensure students are career-ready upon graduation. Program partner Advantage Consulting & Solutions is a leading provider of cybersecurity training and solutions, working with educational institutions and businesses to address the critical need for skilled cybersecurity professionals in today’s workforce.
Ten students from WCCD, Trenholm State Community College, and Enterprise State Community College will be selected to participate in the program, slated to begin in the Spring 2025 semester. Participating students will enroll in a 16-week course that includes both hands-on labs and paid on-the-job training with industry partners. Each college will offer the course as a co-op, practicum, or internship for 3 credits, allowing students to earn academic credit while gaining practical cybersecurity experience.
“We’re thrilled to partner with the Alabama Community College System and these colleges to offer this unique opportunity for students. Our goal is to provide hands-on experience and real-world application that will give participants a competitive edge in the cybersecurity job market,” said Kelvin Seldon, President of Advantage Consulting & Solutions. Advantage Consulting is currently seeking additional industry partners to host student fellows.
“This fellowship is a testament to ACCS’s commitment to developing innovative programs that align education with the needs of Alabama’s workforce,” said Dr. Abigail Carter, Associate Director of Computer/Information Technology Instructional Programs at ACCS. “The Alabama Cyber Security Fellowship Program is a model for collaboration between education and industry to create a skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of the future.”
“Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving industry, and this fellowship will help ensure that our students are prepared to meet the challenges of today’s digital landscape. We’re proud to be part of this initiative, which is backed by the ACCS, and look forward to working with our partners to make this program a success,” said Martha Compton, WCCD Associate Dean, Career Technical Education.
For more information about the Alabama Cyber Security Fellowship Program, to inquire about student application details, or to participate as a fellowship host, please contact Martha Compton at 334-556-6822 or mcompton@wallace.edu.