Senator Marshall Praises Collaboration Between Kansas Community Colleges & National Guard to Train Cyber Professionals

Earlier this month, U.S. Senator Roger Marshall announced that Kansas Community Colleges and the Kansas National Guard have officially signed a proclamation establishing a statewide partnership to develop the next generation of cybersecurity professionals. This partnership represents a collaborative effort to quickly expand educational and career pathways in one of the nation’s fastest-growing fields.

“Kansas is ready to lead the nation in cybersecurity, and this partnership makes it possible,” said Senator Marshall. “By connecting our community colleges with the Kansas National Guard, we are creating real pathways for Kansans to gain the skills our state and country need, while building careers in one of the fastest-growing and most critical fields in America.”

Under the partnership, participating community colleges – including Cloud County, Butler, Garden City, Barton, Hutchinson, Newman University, and Cowley College – will work with the Kansas National Guard’s 184th Wing to develop and expand curriculum and credentialing pathways that meet current and future mission needs. The initiative will incorporate innovative educational models, including stack-able credentials, micro-pathways, and competency-based learning, to support Airmen, veterans, and Kansas learners pursuing technical and professional advancement.

“Kansas Community Colleges are excited for this new partnership with the Kansas National Guard and specifically the 184th Air National Guard wing to enhance cyber security, unmanned aerial systems and artificial intelligence knowledge of soldiers and civilians who support them,” said Heather Morgan, Executive Director, Kansas Association of Community Colleges. “Kansas Community Colleges have specific knowledge and the ability to deliver courses in this area.  This partnership strengthens our ability to provide students with instructors with hands on knowledge of these cutting edge technologies as well as allows our students to be exposed to another career path that would allow them to use their skills to protect our state and nation. We are tremendously excited for this partnership and the opportunities it will provide our students and guard members.”

“Our Kansas Colleges are vital partners in empowering our citizen-airmen, creating stronger, more capable, and educated warriors,” said Col. Joe Deeds, Commander 184th Wing. “The education experiences gained from these prestigious institutions are the catalyst to advancing the skill sets of our airmen. The 184th Wing has firmly established itself as the ‘Silicon Prairie’ of the Air National Guard, a centralized hub where premier cyber and intelligence talent converges to tackle the nation’s most complex challenges. With the monumental support of our Kansas elected officials, the 184th Wing and Kansas institutions of higher education are proving that the frontier of innovation isn’t just on the coasts, but right here in the heartland – where a pioneering spirit meets the high-tech demands of modern national security.

To read full text of the proclamation, click here.