Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC) is proud to announce a groundbreaking opportunity for aspiring cybersecurity professionals in Oregon. Beginning fall 2024, MHCC will offer a Bachelor of Applied Science in cybersecurity, becoming the sole community college in the state to offer this program.
In response to the growing demand for skilled cybersecurity experts, MHCC’s Bachelor of Applied Science in cybersecurity is designed to give students the hands-on training and knowledge needed to secure the digital landscape. This program opens doors to many career paths that pay well and are on track to grow in demand.
MHCC President Dr. Lisa Skari stated, “We are thrilled to offer this program at Mt. Hood Community College. With the increasing importance of cybersecurity in our interconnected world, we are committed to providing our students with a great education that will help them become leaders in this field.”
The program covers a wide range of cybersecurity topics, ensuring that students are prepared for the challenges of the field. Students will:
Learn the basics of cybersecurity, mastering the methods necessary to secure digital assets.
Gain the skills needed to manage an organization’s cybersecurity requirements.
Receive training in secure programming to create robust software.
Have the chance to compete in national cybersecurity competitions, gaining hands-on experience.
MHCC’s cybersecurity faculty, including Katrinia McNeal, Jeff Sperley and Dr. Wayne Machuca, attended the signing of the HB2049 cybersecurity bill by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek on Sept. 27, 2023. This bill marks a step in the state’s commitment to cybersecurity education.
The HB2049 bill creates a Cybersecurity Center of Academic Excellence, an effort between the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, Portland State University and MHCC. This program will strengthen Oregon’s status as a leader in cybersecurity training and research.
The bill also creates the Mt. Hood Community College Scholarship Fund to help community college cybersecurity students cover the cost of certification exams.
MHCC is dedicated to helping students gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel in cybersecurity.