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| Gabriel Hill is a graduate of the Somerset Community College IT program, now called the Computer and Information Technologies (CIT) program. Hill now works as the Network Administrator for Safe Auto Insurance Company and is an adjunct professor in the program. |
The revised CIT program officially began in the fall of 2012 and a second set of classes will begin October 8. The program is continuing to see a dramatic increase in enrollment, growing 180 percent since 2007. The program offers four tracks, which include: information security, internet technologies, network administration and programming tracks (see CIT program page for more information).
Before revising the curriculum, faculty members in the CIT program met with business and industry leaders to see what was needed from program graduates in order to obtain and keep jobs in the field.
“We wanted to be sure our students had the skills and knowledge they need in order to succeed,” said Pam Bridgman, CIT program coordinator. “With the increase in demand for these types of jobs, we now know our students are prepared and ready to contribute positively to the workforce.”
The CIT program is offered completely online, which Bridgman said has made enrolling in the program easier for those who cannot or do not wish to travel for classes. In addition, the program added several new adjunct faculty members that have real world experiences and hold industry standard certifications. A few certifications held by faculty include: A+, Network+, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Security, Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC).
One adjunct professor recently added to the team is Gerald Clevenger. Clevenger has 15 years of experience in information security and served as the manager of Cyber Security Technical Operations for the National Nuclear Security Administration. He has also served as a department head and instructor for Information Systems Security Officer, Network Security and Forensics at Fountainhead College of Technology in Knoxville, Tennessee. Clevenger also holds a master’s degree in information security as well as several professional certifications.
A total of eight faculty members serve the program, all with experience ranging from system administration and network security to information technology (IT) project management and forensics.
“We are absolutely delighted to have been able to expand our faculty and recruit professors who are not only academically trained in the field, but also have hands-on experience they can share with our students,” said Bridgman. “I think that is another reason our program is among the best around.”
Gabriel Hill, a former student of the program at SCC and now an adjunct faculty member, also works as the Network Administrator for Safe Auto Insurance Company.
“I started at SCC with a passion towards information technology and a strong ambition to learn, and that’s exactly what I did,” said Hill. “While I was a student at SCC I learned from some of the best faculty. They were always willing to go above and beyond. I also was given the opportunity to work with and learn from the IT staff at SCC, which by the way is as good as they come. Opportunities come your way when you put yourself out there, and at SCC I was given opportunities for which I will forever be grateful. Now, I get up every day and love what I do, and it all started at SCC’s program. “
According to Hill, entering a program such as SCC’s CIT program can make a difference for those seeking employment in the field, which is projected to grow in future years. Job opportunities in the information technology sector are expected to increase by nearly eight percent in the next four years alone, and see “much faster than average” growth through 2018, according to An Examination of the Information Technology Job Market research brief and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
And students in SCC’s CIT program not only have the convenience of online classes, but they can also choose to seek a degree, which typically takes four semesters, or a variety of certificates, which can take between one and four semesters to complete.
“Opportunities are out there, and SCC’s IT program can lead students to them,” said Hill.
For more information about the CIT program, or to enroll, contact Pam Bridgman at pam.bridgman@kctcs.edu or by phone at 606-416-3359.