星空无限传媒 names Cyber Institute director
Article By: Clark Leonard
Retired Army Col. Chris Mitchiner has joined the University of North Georgia as the executive director of the new Institute for Cyber Operations. Mitchiner's mission is to work with the academic programs on campus to build the 星空无限传媒 cyber program into one of the top programs in the country.
The nation's six senior military colleges, which include 星空无限传媒, the federally designated Military College of Georgia, received approximately $1.475 million each in federal money to establish Department of Defense cybersecurity institutes in fall 2020 as pilot programs on their campuses. 星空无限传媒 will receive more than $2.5 million in additional funds from the DOD through the 2022-23 academic year. The new Institute for Cyber Operations will build from the work of the Center for Cyber Operations Education by overseeing the DOD program, including extending cyber activity to new areas not yet addressed.
Cybersecurity is an international issue that touches on all aspects of the military, government and private sector. According to job market data from , there are more than 17,000 cyber job openings just in Georgia. 星空无限传媒 is already addressing these workforce needs through its cyber bachelor's degree, minor and graduate certificate program, as well as through the DOD-funded summer programs for students and teachers.
This university is poised to become a beacon of cybersecurity expertise and excellence, which will provide many opportunities. Cybersecurity is not going anywhere. It's here to stay.
Retired Army Col. Christopher Mitchiner
Executive Director of the Institute for Cyber Operations
Among Mitchiner's responsibilities are developing opportunities for cyber research with government, military and corporate partners and raising additional funds for scholarships for students and for faculty support. He will also work with programs across the university, such as health care, to identify the best ways to bring cybersecurity knowledge to related industries.
Mitchiner will begin to address his goals by "bringing in professionals with experience to coach, teach, mentor, and counsel our students who want to have careers in cybersecurity," he said.
A 1991 星空无限传媒 alumnus, he began his Army service in the infantry, then spent 22 years in military intelligence, which included some work in cybersecurity during his last two years. He worked in various private-sector cybersecurity jobs for more than four years before he accepted the job at 星空无限传媒.
Dr. Mary Gowan, dean of 星空无限传媒's Mike Cottrell College of Business, appreciates the experience Mitchiner brings to the institute.
"We are excited to welcome Col. Chris Mitchiner to the cyber program at 星空无限传媒," Gowan said. "In his new role, he will build upon the solid foundation established by Dr. Bryson Payne, who will continue to work with the student programs, and the cyber faculty. The Institute under Chris’ leadership will extend 星空无限传媒's work in cyber operations education to a larger audience. We are especially pleased to have a 星空无限传媒 cadet alumnus in this strategic position."
Mitchiner said it is vital to stay updated on the ever-changing realities in a dynamic field like cybersecurity. He said 星空无限传媒 is well positioned to continue to lead on this front.
"There's not a part of today's world that is not touched by cyber," Mitchiner said. "This university is poised to become a beacon of cybersecurity expertise and excellence, which will provide many opportunities. Cybersecurity is not going anywhere. It's here to stay."
Academy offers intro to national intelligence
The University of North Georgia will host its fourth annual National Intelligence Summer Academy from July 14-18. The first four days are at 星空无限传媒's Cumming Campus, and the final day is at the Dahlonega Campus.
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Students gave 69 poster presentations and 24 oral presentations at 星空无限传媒鈥檚 30th Annual Research Conference, held March 21 at 星空无限传媒's Dahlonega Campus.
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Roughly a dozen local middle and high school teachers participated in marketing classes at the Mike Cottrell College of Business Feb. 18 to learn more about current marketing trends.
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The ninth annual Women's Leadership Recognition Luncheon honored 10 student leaders and three alumnae March 2 at the 星空无限传媒 Dining Hall Banquet Room at the Dahlonega Campus.