Cyber Center Mission
The mission of the Center for Cybersecurity Education (CCE) at the Athens State is to advance the best interests of its students and the State of Alabama through teaching, service, research, and other creative activities to empower students to make valuable contributions in their professional, civic, educational, and economic endeavor. Our mission is to promote cybersecurity awareness to the student body, faculty, and community. The CCE will work to develop a strong cybersecurity workforce in the neighboring communities and local industries by offering Cyber Defense (CD) degrees in Management of Cybersecurity Operations, Information Technology, and Computer Science.
Cyber Center Vision
The vision of the Center for Cybersecurity Education (CCE) at Athens State University will be the premier destination for transfer students seeking the highest quality cyber-related education and cutting-edge delivery at the most affordable cost. As the upper-division university in Alabama, Athens State University will be the catalyst to promote information assurance and cyber defense education and best practices to our students, faculty, community, and industry partners to help prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Guidance and Oversight
Athens State University Center for Cybersecurity Education (CCE) advisory board consists of Industry partners and Cybersecurity professionals also known as the Board of Visitors (BOV), whose goal is to promote and advocate the overall quality and excellence to the University, to advise and assist the University in interpreting the vision, mission, programs, and aspirations of the University. The Function of the board is to provide guidance and leadership for the center and academic program. Board members bring a wealth of advanced manufacturing, cutting-edge industry, and cybersecurity knowledge from local businesses to assist the center to promote cybersecurity education.
The National Security Agency has designated Athens State University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE). The official Program of Study (PoS) is for the Bachelor of Science in Management of Cybersecurity Operations (BS-MCO).
Contact Information
Primary Point of Contact for the Program of Study – Bachelor of Science Management of Cybersecurity Operations
Darren Waldrep, Ph.D. | CASP+
Associate Professor, Management of Cybersecurity Operations Division Head | Core Division – College of Business Director of the Center of Academic Excellence Cyber Defense Education- Phone:256-216-5366 Phone:256-216-5366
- Email:[email protected]
- Department:College of Business
- Office:
Sanders Hall, Room 221
Secondary Point of Contact for the Program of Study – Bachelor of Science Management of Cybersecurity Operations
Janet Willisson, EdD
Assistant Professor of Information Systems/Cybersecurity- Phone:256-216-5375 Phone:256-216-5375
- Email:[email protected]
- Department:College of Business
- Office:
Sanders Hall, Room 217