Kean University has been chosen to spearhead the Mid-Atlantic regional effort for a new $1.5 million national initiative funded by the National Security Agency (NSA). The two-year project aims to evaluate how collegiate cybersecurity programs prepare students for the workforce and contribute to the broader economy.
The overarching program establishes the Economic Assessment National Center (EANC) alongside six regional hubs. Led nationally by California’s Coastline College through the NSA’s National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program, the initiative will assess institutions designated as NCAE-Cs.
“Cybersecurity is critical to our nation’s future, and Kean is committed to preparing students for opportunities in this growing field,” Kean President Lamont Repollet, said. “Our selection to lead the Mid-Atlantic hub reflects the strength of our cybersecurity program and gives Kean an important role in a national effort that extends well beyond our campus.”
Assessing economic impact and graduate outcomes
As the Mid-Atlantic lead, Kean will collaborate with approximately 85 institutions across the region. Together, the regional hubs will develop a unified framework to measure the return on investment in cyber education by analyzing:
- Graduate outcomes and career pathways
- Industry certifications earned by students
- The broader economic contributions of academic cybersecurity programs
- Methods to streamline data reporting and share actionable insights with federal stakeholders
“Cybersecurity education must prepare students for today’s challenges and help us anticipate and meet the evolving needs of our workforce and economy,” said Joseph Youngblood II, Ph.D., chancellor of Kean Ocean and Kean Global.
Stanley Mierzwa, Ph.D., director of Kean’s Center for Cybersecurity, attributed the selection to years of dedicated engagement within the NCAE-C community. Mierzwa has chaired research sessions at national conferences and helped drive robust community outreach efforts that previously ranked Kean fifth nationally among participating institutions.
“That’s what really gave us a chance to be part of it,” Mierzwa said, noting that the recognition demonstrates the university’s growing regional and national impact in cybersecurity education.
