Wright State’s cybersecurity program awarded nearly $200,000 to strengthen workforce development efforts

Wright State University’s cybersecurity program receive a nearly $200,000 cooperative agreement to develop a new workforce development program. (Photo by Erin Pence)

Wright State University was awarded a nearly $200,000 cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology to develop a program that better prepares students for cybersecurity careers in advanced manufacturing. 

As part of the cooperative agreement, Wright State will lead an initiative through the Regional Alliances and Multistakeholder Partnerships to Stimulate Cybersecurity Education and Workforce Development (RAMPS) program, working with local employers to align education and training with industry needs while also addressing the shortage of cybersecurity professionals. 

Junjie Zhang, Ph.D., program director of cybersecurity, says the field is growing, making it increasingly important to ensure students gain the skills and knowledge needed to enter the workforce after graduation. 

Wright State currently has 217 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, combined-degree or pre-degree cybersecurity programs, housed in the College of Engineering and Computer Science.

 “Cybersecurity protects more than computers and information,” Zhang said. “In advanced manufacturing, students have opportunities to apply computing, engineering and problem-solving skills to real-world challenges involving digital technologies, manufacturing processes and systems that turn designs into physical products.” 

Through the cooperative agreement, Wright State’s cybersecurity program is developing SecureAM Pathways, an initiative designed to keep students’ training relevant with the help of local advanced manufacturing employers. Cybersecurity tasks and skills gaps will be identified through interviews, surveys and advisory discussions and then used to inform curriculum updates, including lessons, labs and assessments aligned with the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity. 

“We will develop employer-informed learning materials and integrate them into existing courses, preparing cybersecurity students to understand manufacturing systems while helping engineering students develop cybersecurity skills,” Zhang said. 

By working with SOCHE and local partners such as the Dayton Region Manufacturers Association, Dayton Development Coalition and Yaskawa Motoman, the program will extend beyond the classroom through workshops, seminars and hands-on training and will help identify opportunities for employer-supported internships, co-ops and project-based learning. Additional outreach to schools, educators and regional partners will continue to raise career awareness and broaden pathways into the cybersecurity workforce. 

Harsh Pandya, a cybersecurity graduate student, says that his hands-on industry experience with AXE AI helped bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world cybersecurity challenges, and that the addition of SecureAM Pathways will only further opportunities for Wright State students. 

 “The cybersecurity program has provided me with valuable opportunities to apply my knowledge outside of the classroom through participation in cybersecurity challenges, mentorship from industry professionals and putting my knowledge into practice through a summer internship,” Pandya said. “The combination of industry experience, coursework and research has helped me develop practical technical skills and prepare for a career in cybersecurity.” 

Wright State is one of nine institutions selected for a cooperative agreement this year and the third university in Ohio to be named a RAMPS community. With this year’s new additions, there are now 55 RAMPS communities across 26 states.