U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is strengthening cybersecurity job training opportunities for metro Atlanta college students.
Today Sen. Ossoff announced he is delivering Federal resources to strengthen the Cybersecurity Leadership Center at Clark Atlanta University, increasing the number of career opportunities in the cybersecurity field and boosting opportunities for HBCU students. With the Federal funding, Clark Atlanta plans to enhance its current cybersecurity curriculum and agrees while also offering students and faculty greater access to cybersecurity software and training programs.
Sen. Ossoff brought Republicans and Democrats together to deliver $500,000 for the project through this year’s bipartisan government funding package, working alongside Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock.
“I’ve appropriated funds to strengthen the Cybersecurity Leadership Center at Clark Atlanta University, helping Clark Atlanta students prepare for rewarding and good-paying cybersecurity careers,” Sen. Ossoff said. “I thank Clark Atlanta President George French, Jr., Ph.D. for bringing this proposal to my office and for his leadership in the community.”
“We thank Senator Ossoff for the continued support of his office,” said President French. “Through collaboration with IBM, Clark Atlanta University pioneers the establishment of the Cybersecurity Leadership Center, fortifying students for burgeoning career paths in cybersecurity across Georgia. Our joint endeavor not only amplifies diversity in the cyber workforce but also enhances curriculum and equips individuals with cutting-edge tools to combat cyber threats. Together, we extend our reach beyond academia to empower communities far and wide.”
Clark Atlanta University’s Cybersecurity Leader Center in partnership with IBM prepares students for the increasing number of career opportunities in the cybersecurity field within the State of Georgia and to meet IBM’s goal of increasing a more diverse cyber workforce within the United States. “According to labor market information from the State of Georgia, the demand for cybersecurity employees will increase over the years with a projection of 11.8 percent, it is imperative that we prepare our students majoring in Cybersecurity to enter the cyber workforce within the United States and to excel in this field.” said Dr. Olugbemiga Olatidoye, Professor/Coordinator, Dual Degree Engineering Program (DDEP).
About Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University was formed with the consolidation of Atlanta University and Clark College, both of which hold unique places in the annals of African American history. Atlanta University, established in 1865 by the American Missionary Association, was the nation’s first institution to award graduate degrees to African Americans. Clark College, established four years later in 1869, was the nation’s first four-year liberal arts college to serve a primarily African American student population. Today, with nearly 4,000 students, CAU is the largest of the four institutions (CAU, Morehouse College, Spelman College, and Morehouse School of Medicine) that compose the Atlanta University Center Consortium. It is also the largest of the 37-member UNCF institutions. Notable alumni include: James Weldon Johnson, American civil rights activist, poet, and songwriter (Lift Every Voice and Sing, “The Black National Anthem”; Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., American civil rights activist; Congressman Hank Johnson, Georgia District 4; Kenya Barris, American award-winning television and movie producer; Kenny Leon, Tony Award-winning Broadway Director; Jacque Reid, Emmy Award-winning Television Personality and Journalist; Brandon Thompson, Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion for NASCAR; Valeisha Butterfield Jones, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at the Recording Academy. To learn more about Clark Atlanta University, visit www.cau.edu.