Feb. 11, 2026 Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) has been redesignated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, recognizing its continued commitment to high-quality education and training in a field vital to protecting intellectual property and digital infrastructure.  The designation honors institutions that demonstrate sustained excellence and depth in cybersecurity education and reflects collegewide dedication to preparing students for an increasingly complex digital landscape. “This achievement verifies that the college as a whole meets the standards of excellence required of an institution that takes cybersecurity seriously,” said Associate Professor Andrew Rozema, director of the GRCC Center for Cybersecurity Studies. “It validates not only the work of faculty, but also the work of our IT department and chief information security officer. It shows how committed the college is to supporting these efforts.” Following a comprehensive review of academic programs, instructional capacity and institutional support, the National Security Agency (NSA) named GRCC a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. The review examined curriculum relevance, faculty expertise and the college’s ability to prepare students for evolving challenges in the digital environment. As part of the designation process, the Computer Information Systems Department demonstrated leadership through community outreach, professional development efforts and the integration of cybersecurity practices across the institution. The department also showed its ability  to respond to the rapidly changing nature of cybersecurity threats and solutions. “If you come to GRCC to study cybersecurity, you can be confident you’re attending an institution with faculty and courses that are among the best in the nation,” Rozema said. “The designation means the NSA has verified that we are teaching cyber defense at a very high level. That recognition helps expand opportunities and enhances the experience of every student in our program.” GRCC has earned the designation previously and pursued redesignation as part of an intentional effort to maintain high academic and industry standards. Rozema said the department aligned its program of study with both academic expectations and industry needs. “We worked deliberately to ensure we met the qualifications for redesignation,” he said. “Our certifications and curriculum are driven by industry as much as by academics. We want students to understand not just technical skills, but also the theories and challenges they’ll face in the field. Being recognized as an institution of academic excellence confirms we’re competitive with the best.”  The Computer Information Systems Department offers multiple pathways for students interested in technology careers. Its pre-cybersecurity associate degree is designed to prepare students to transfer as juniors to four-year institutions to complete a bachelor’s degree. “Once you’re in the department, you have options to choose your path,” Rozema said. “It's honestly one of the most exciting times to be in this field. What’s on the horizon can be one of the more transformative moments in technology. We’re proud to say, as an institution, that we are on the cutting edge of that exploration.” With the redesignation, GRCC strengthens its ability to remain competitive in the cybersecurity industry. The recognition opens doors to expanded networking, collaboration and potential funding opportunities, reinforcing the college’s role as a leader in cybersecurity education. To learn more about the Computer Information Systems Department. This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell