Wallace Community College Dothan (WCCD) has been awarded a $380,266 Workforce Development grant from the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) to enhance regional workforce development through supplemental Information Technology labs housed in the Computer Information Sciences program. The grant will fund the development of “Cyber Range and Beyond,” a cutting-edge training platform that combines virtual simulations and hands-on experience.
The Cyber Range will replicate real-world IT environments, offering students immersive training in cybersecurity, cyber defense, and network management. This initiative will equip students with the technical and problem-solving skills required to protect sensitive information, secure networks, and meet the challenges of an increasingly digital world.
“This funding from ACCS will allow us to significantly expand our efforts in preparing students for the future of work in IT and cybersecurity,” said Martha Compton, WCCD Associate Dean of Career and Technical Education. “The Cyber Range will provide students with the practical, hands-on experience needed to be competitive in today’s job market, and it will also ensure that our graduates possess nationally recognized certifications that are essential in the industry.”
The grant will help prepare traditional and non-traditional students for high-demand careers such as Cybersecurity Specialists, Software Developers, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers, Computer Systems Analysts, Network Administrators, Information Security Analysts, Database Administrators, and more. These fields are critical to the region’s economic development and meet the growing need for skilled IT professionals.
For more information about WCCD’s IT and Cybersecurity options, visit Wallace.edu or contact Martha Compton at mcompton@wallace.edu or 334-556-6822.