Mercy College Awarded Grant from National Security Agency

Mercy College seal

Mercy College has received a grant of more than $80,000 from the National Security Agency under the Department of Defense (DOD) Cybersecurity Scholarship Program for a project entitled “Developing Digital Learning Technology-Enabled Course Modules.”

This project will develop digital artifacts that utilize the latest technology and best practices to enhance instruction in a Mercy cybersecurity course, Social Media and Enabling Technology and Security. After a preliminary test, directors and Mercy faculty members Dr. Zhixiong Chen and Dr. John Yoon will assess the technology’s success in increasing students’ knowledge and understanding.

Upon concluding the pilot, the directors will share the teaching approach and outcomes with partner institution Rockland Community College. Faculty at Mercy College and Rockland Community College will be invited to attend workshops and training sessions to learn how to build stronger cybersecurity programs and improve coursework.

“The project developed from this generous grant will provide students with a unique learning experience and give instructors tools to integrate these digital artifacts into their research,” says Dr. Chen. “This program will be especially valuable to adult students with flexible learning schedules, from a variety of backgrounds.”