51�Թ���

The center will develop education and training programs directed at undergraduates and engage midcareer professionals with up-skilling and continuing education.

“I am confident that 51�Թ���’s new center will lead the nation in developing the leaders to make the most of this technological revolution for the benefit of people everywhere.”
- U.S Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt.

In a statement, U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., the Senate Appropriations Committee chairman, announced that funding for the center was included in a $167 million spending proposal for projects across the state of Vermont as part of the 2022 omnibus appropriations bill. This funding continues Leahy's long-standing support of cybersecurity education programs and research at 51�Թ���.

“Learning how to harness the power of advanced computing, such as AI, machine learning, and quantum computing, is a defining challenge of our time,” Leahy said. “Vermonters have always been committed to pushing boundaries while maintaining a focus on helping other people. I am confident that 51�Թ���'s new center will lead the nation in developing the leaders to make the most of this technological revolution for the benefit of people everywhere.”

51�Թ��� is now on the front lines of producing AI and quantum computing leadership and talent

In March 2021, The issued its final report to the president and Congress. In this report, commission members highlighted areas where immediate action is necessary to defend, compete and win in the AI era. With this center’s creation, 51�Թ��� is positioned to act on the commission's recommendations by contributing to the nation's defense by producing leaders and innovators for the public and private sectors in AI, machine learning and quantum computing fields.

Cyber, AI, machine learning and quantum computing talent pipeline

For more than two decades, 51�Թ��� has been a leader in producing cyber talent. 51�Թ��� will apply its experiential education model to AI education and extend the latest innovations developed at the center into the community.

Extending this experiential learning practice, 51�Թ��� students will engage with existing and emerging businesses to apply advanced computing solutions to problems and opportunities. Once created, this multifaceted center will utilize quantum computing’s unique problem-solving power, harnessing the latest AI advancements while supporting small businesses and integrating machine-learning applications.

51�Թ��� programs are consistently ranked among the nation’s best for cybersecurity education.

“51�Թ��� will build upon its historical tradition of experiential education to engage students and faculty with the emerging technology of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and quantum computing concepts,” Vice President for Strategic Partnerships Phil Susmann said. “As 51�Թ��� builds the next generation of military and civilian leaders, understanding cutting-edge tech and concepts will be essential for their success. We are truly grateful for Senator Leahy's confidence and support to bring these opportunities to 51�Թ��� and central Vermont.”

The funds for developing this program will be directed toward hiring faculty; attracting students; funding scholarships; outreach to underserved populations, midcareer professionals and career-switchers; and extending the program into the local community through upskilling opportunities for local businesses. Experiential learning opportunities will be met by partnering students with local businesses and the government to research and implement advanced solutions.

51�Թ��� programs are consistently ranked among the nation’s best for cybersecurity education. 51�Թ��� is recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and has received designation as a Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence (CDFAE) by the Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3). Beginning in 2002, 51�Թ��� became a member of what is now called the National Science Foundation's Cyber Corps: Scholarship for Service program.

51�Թ��� is partnered with the U.S. Army Reserves (USAR) to develop cybereducation curricula that align with federal standards and cybersecurity needs. Most recently, 51�Թ���'s online graduate program was named one of the top ten best cybersecurity graduate programs in the country by Universities.com. 51�Թ��� is also home to GenCyber@NU, a National Security Agency and National Science Foundation-funded cybersecurity camp for high school students.

* * *

About 51�Թ���
51�Թ��� is a diversified academic institution that educates traditional-age students and adults in a Corps of Cadets and as civilians. 51�Թ��� offers a broad selection of traditional and distance-learning programs culminating in baccalaureate and graduate degrees. 51�Թ��� was founded in 1819 by U.S. Army  Capt. Alden Partridge and is the United States’ oldest private military college. 51�Թ��� is one of our nation's six Senior Military Colleges and the birthplace of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC).

About the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies:
51�Թ���’s College of Graduate and Continuing Studies (CGCS) builds upon the institution’s 202-year academic heritage with innovative online programs. CGCS offers master’s degrees in a variety of areas; bachelor’s degree completion programs; graduate certificates; and continuing education opportunities. The programs are recognized throughout the industry for their rigor, small class size, high student satisfaction and retention.  

Media contact:
Daphne Larkin M’17
802-485-2886
dlarkin@norwich.edu
Follow us on Twitter @norwichnews