Jan. 6, 2025 If you’ve ever encountered a bouncer at an event venue or bar, then you have a good visual for understanding the basic premise of cybersecurity.  “Cyber security is about defending systems infrastructure and data,” said Andrew Rozema, head of the Computer Information Systems Department at Grand Rapids Community College and nationally known cybersecurity expert. ‘If someone can get to your server — either in person or via digital means — they can damage it. Cybersecurity specialists keep bad stuff out of the network, just like a bouncer keeps unauthorized people out of a building.”  This is no small task. We’ve all heard about companies whose data and systems have been hijacked for ransom. We’ve all received the letters stating that our personal information has been compromised because some organization’s data has been hacked. Cybersecurity is, and will continue to be, a critical and growing field. It’s also constantly evolving. “There are fundamentals that don’t change,” Rozema said. “Some things, like internetworking protocols from the 80s, are still in use. On the flip side, new threats and new ‘weapons,’ if you will, pop up every day. We’re always in an ‘arms race’ against malicious people who want to do harm. A cybersecurity expert is constantly working to understand the latest points of vulnerability and fix them. If you enter this field, you are signing up to be a lifelong learner.” GRCC’s program has received designation by the Committee for National Security (part of the National Security Agency) as a Center of Academic Excellence.  “GRCC was only the second community college in the state to receive this designation from the NSA,” Rozema said. “I love attending cybersecurity conferences and seeing our former students giving programs and talks. We have a serious program.”  So how can someone approach cybersecurity as a learning opportunity? There are three basic options. First, GRCC offers a Cyber Security  certificate . These program courses align with the needs of industry-recognized certifications. The certificate is a great option for someone who is pivoting into cyber security from another field.  Second, the certificate can be stacked into an associate degree. The electives of this certificate program can be combined with other requirements for an associate degree, such as English and math. This is an excellent option for someone seeking an entry-level position in cybersecurity.   And third, GRCC offers a pre-cybersecurity  associate degree specifically tailored for transfer to a four-year institution, where students will complete a bachelor’s degree. This “3+1” program is set up so that students complete three years at GRCC and then one year at Ferris State University or Davenport University. The degree is also highly transferable to other institutions such as Grand Valley State University.  Once you have a degree in cyber security, there’s no shortage of opportunities.  According to  cyberseek.org , from September 2023 through August 2024, there were only 83 cybersecurity workers available for every 100 cybersecurity jobs demanded by employers. Michigan has close to 10,000 job openings in this field.   “Cybersecurity is universal,” Rozema said. “Every organization needs it. Whether you’re working directly for a large company, or for a managed security service provider that provides services to smaller and mid-size organizations, cyber security is here to stay.”  Learn more about  cybersecurity and other computer information systems programs at GRCC.  This story was reported by Julie Hordyk.  

For many people, sailing sounds like a leisurely pastime, but Rowan O’Dougherty knows it is much more than adjusting a sail and steering. While sailing, O’Dougherty constantly evaluates many variables - the direction of the wind, the conditions of the water, the sail positions relative to the wind, the position of his competitors and so much more.  The ability to analyze these conditions and adapt quickly earned O’Dougherty fifth place in the third World Deaf Sailing Championships in Nida, Lithuania this summer.  O’Dougherty is Deaf, and teaches  American Sign Language and Deaf Culture courses at Grand Rapids Community College. O’Dougherty has been exposed to sailing since birth, and began racing around the age of eight. For a long time, he felt he was the only Deaf athlete who raced sailboats. Now he has discovered an international Deaf sailing community through the World Deaf Sailing Championships.  One of six United States athletes competing, O’Dougherty was the only U.S. teammate with consistent racing experience. He raced three different classes of boats against athletes from twelve other countries. The competition spanned ten days and O’Dougherty placed fifth.  O’Dougherty also connected with those he competed against, using sign language to communicate easily across borders.  “There is no universal sign language, but that didn’t stop us from communicating with each other and having a blast! I have made good friends with the French, British and German teams,” O’Dougherty said.  “We each had our own sign languages, but the communication went smoothly since we used International Sign Language.”  This is exactly what O’Dougherty teaches his students. That studying sign language and Deaf culture can open doors to understanding the world better. He mentions that finding Deaf people with the appropriate credentials to teach at the college level is challenging.  However, a shift is occurring as more people become educated about ASL and Deaf culture. O’Dougherty mentions he gets a thrill watching his students become interpreters, teachers and professionals in the industry.  Deaf culture has a lot to teach the hearing world. Beyond a communication method, sign language can truly enrich your life and help you become a global citizen. O’Dougherty mentions what he enjoys most is sharing his language and culture with his students and seeing it open their minds to new possibilities.  Learn more about  American Sign Language at GRCC. This story was reported by Kailee Potgeter.