For immediate release

8/27/09

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rebecca Steiner

Communications Coordinator

301-369-2800, ext. 3015

[e-mail]

Capitol College re-designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education
LAUREL – Capitol College is pleased to announce its re-designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Information Assurance Education for academic years 2009-2014. Capitol representatives received recognition for the continued dedication of the college to make information assurance education a priority during the Awards Ceremony Dinner at the 13th Colloquium for Information Systems Security Education (CISSE) conference in Seattle, Washington, held June 1-3, 2009.

Capitol, Maryland’s only independent college focused on engineering, computer science, information technology and business, is one of only six higher education institutions in the state to be recognized as a CAE, offering programs that are jointly sponsored by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“Re-designation as a Center of Academic Excellence validates the hard work Capitol College has done to develop academic programs which provide a high quality and practical education to information assurance professionals,” said Dr. Michael Wood, president of Capitol College. “The importance of effectively preparing information assurance professionals in all sectors of government and industry should not be understated. The college’s recertification demonstrates our strong commitment to fulfilling the call for more highly educated information assurance professionals.”

The re-designation is proof that the government realizes the criticality of partnering with academia to ensure the nation’s future. Branches of the government are actively pursuing strong alliances with CAEs to ensure the continued improvement of information assurance education and research of the next generation.

“The Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education program is well recognized by government, industry and academia as those that produce well-educated students who understand information assurance,” wrote Richard C. Schaeffer, the NSA director of information assurance in a letter to President Wood.

“Capitol College is well positioned to help ensure the nation is protected from future cyber vulnerabilities and attacks through the students you educate and the research opportunities you provide,” Schaeffer said. “I would like to emphasize the importance of your program and students to NSA and the nation. Graduates from the CAE programs enter the workforce prepared to make an immediate contribution, leading the nation to a more secure future.”

Students attending these designated CAEs are eligible to apply for scholarships and grants through the Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship Program and the Federal Cyber Service Scholarship for Service Program.

Capitol College is the only independent college in Maryland dedicated to engineering, computer science, information technology and business. Founded in 1927, Capitol is an accredited institution offering associate, bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as professional development training and certificates, and partnerships with government and industry. Capitol is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security. The college is located in Laurel, Maryland, a suburban setting midway between Washington, DC and Baltimore. Capitol and is committed to providing a quality education that is technology-driven, accessible, affordable and practical especially during these challenging economic times. Additional information can be found online at www.capitol-college.edu.

The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly sponsor the National Centers of Academic Excellence in IA Education (CAEIAE) and CAE-Research (CAE-R) programs. The goal of these programs is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in information assurance and producing a growing number of professionals with information assurance expertise in various disciplines. Designation as a CAEIAE or CAE-R is valid for five academic years, after which the school must successfully reapply in order to retain its CAE designation.

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