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NCC Cybersecurity Program Designated as National Center of Academic Excellence

submitted by Katherine Noll

Awarded by the NSA and the DHS, the designation has gone to only 10 other educational institutions in Pennsylvania, and just 274 institutions nationwide.

Northampton Community College's cybersecurity program has joined an elite group of two-year, four-year, and graduate-level institutions with its recent designation as a National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

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(CAE-CD). Awarded by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the designation has gone to only 10 other educational institutions in Pennsylvania, and just 274 institutions nationwide.

The designation, according to Dr. Denise Francois-Seeney, Dean of Business and Technology, affirms the department's efforts to develop a stateof-the-art cybersecurity program that is open to all students, including women and students of color, who are underrepresented nationwide in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) fields.

Those efforts, led by Brian Stokes, Associate Professor, Computer Science, are part of the NCC's "Building a Culturally Responsive Degree Program in Information Security" initiative, funded by a nearly $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. "The designation tells us our cybersecurity program has been given a thumbs up and recognized for excellence," Francois-Sweeney said.

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"Brian Stokes was tasked at making this a model program, and his efforts and achievements have been rewarded."

There currently are about 150 students in NCC's cybersecurity program.

Stokes explained the approach to applying for the recognition was two-pronged. The first step required an assessment of the cybersecurity program at NCC, which was then approved by a review committee. Once the program was approved, another team looked at how the college supports the cybersecurity curriculum, staff, and students, and how the program fits into its institutional mission. With those steps completed, all information is submitted to the NSA, which reviews it and decides whether the college is suitable for the CAE designation.

The process took more than a year, Stokes said, and required significant effort on the part of NCC staff.

Along with recognition from the NSA and DHS, benefits of being designated a CAE-CD include access to federal grants and student scholarships, and a professional development advantage for students. "Our students and graduates will be able to include that designation as they approach employers," Finken said. "That will really support the coursework they've done and their educations in general."

The designation also gives NCC staff opportunity to participate in a large network of cybersecurity professionals, educators, researchers, and advocates working to grow the cyber field.

As cybersecurity becomes an increasing concern for governments, institutions, and companies in every industry, a growing need for workers across this field in critical.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of workers within the cybersecurity sector is expected to increase by 31 percent between 2019 and 2029 - a rate far higher than average for all occupations. A problem, however, is that young women and students of color tend not to be exposed to the possibility of these jobs, some of which require only a two-year degree to get started. "These types of students tend to get weeded out of opportunities for these careers," noted FrancoisSeeney.

The college is working hard to let underrepresented students know that cybersecurity jobs are available and attainable, and to make NCC's cybersecurity program welcoming and accessible if they choose to enroll. "We really want women and minority students to know this is a viable, high-paying, highoccupational field with an associate or a bachelor's degree," said Francois-Seeney.

NCC staff had planned to get out into area schools to spread the word about its cyber program, but the pandemic has slowed those efforts. Still, according to Finken, substantial outreach with students and school staff was accomplished virtually, and in June the college offered a five-day, in-person cybersecurity camp for high school students at its Bethlehem Campus. The camp was well attended and received, and plans are underway for another to be held in summer 2022.

OFF THE SHELF

Slatington Library News

submitted by Louise Bechtel

The Slatington Library is open for those looking for books and/or computer use. CHANGE IN MASK POLICY. Due to the increase in Covid-19 cases, we are now asking everyone to wear a mask in the library.

The Slatington Library Book Club is currently reading “Ordinary Grace,” by William Kent Krueger. The club will discuss this book virtually at 1:00pm on Monday, Nov. 1st. The Book Club is planning a “Chat and Chew” for December.

Continued on page 28

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Members will meet at a restaurant and discuss a book of their individual choice. If you are interested in joining the book club please contact the library. Copies of the books will be available at the library as well.

The Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight (PA MEDI), formerly known as APPRISE is composed of health insurance counselors that help you understand your health insurance options. They will be at the library on a Tuesday during Medicare open enrollment. You must call the library and make an appointment.

Getting Started with Medicare: Join us for an informative Medicare session and learn how and when to enroll, various Medicare Health Plan Coverage options and what to consider when selecting what’s right for you. We will also discuss Prescription Drug Plans and answer your questions. This program will take place at the library on November 3rd, 1:30 to 3:00. It will be presented by Toni Schaller: IMO Agent, PA, UnitedHealthcare, AARP Medicare.

The library has received generous donations from the community in memory of Rita Stein and Janice Altrichter. Two books have been donated in Janice’s name.

You can sign-up for a library card in our online catalog and select e-books and audio books from the Carbon Lehigh Downloadable Library. Both links are on our web page.

Any questions concerning this information please contact Louise Bechtel at the Library at (610) 767-6461. Thank you.

Lehigh Township Historical Society News

Submitted by RUTH HALL KENT

The Lehigh Township Historical Society has had a busy month of September. Our tremendous mum sale was held on September 12th and sold out before noon. Mark your calendars for September 10th, 2022 for our next one!

September 26th was the date for our wellattended Finally Fall Basket Social held at the Blue Mtn. Fish and Game club hall. Thanks to all who attended and won some of the over 200 gifts and baskets. Thanks also to the club members who staffed the kitchen and fed us. Watch for future announcements about next year’s event, it may be in Spring again. We thank all of our faithful followers in the surrounding communities for supporting the Historical Society in our fundraising.

On October 3rd LTHS had a booth at the 33rd Annual Lehigh Township Benefit Festival & Car

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Show at Becky's Drive-In. We had hats, t-shirts and books for sale at our table. We also held a 50/50 raffle and PA Lottery Ticket Basket raffle to raise funds for the Society. Winner of the Lottery Tickets was Agnes S. of Plainfield Township and the winner of the 50/50 was Bob. B. of Danielsville who donated his winnings back to the Historical Society! Thanks to all who stopped by our booth and supported LTHS.

We are not holding an open house at the St. Paul’s One-Room Schoolhouse again this year. Hopefully we can plan a great program for an opening during 2022. We also have not had the Historical Centre Museum open for the past year and a half. No Open House hours will be scheduled until next spring, but we will be open on Tuesday mornings from 9 am to Noon, (except closed the 2nd Tuesday), to drop off donations, check out the museum or do research. We suggest you call first to make sure we are there at 610-440-0151. We will also be closed Tuesday November 23rd, December 14th, 21st and 28th for the holidays. We will reopen on January 4th. During the winter we may be closed on certain dates due to inclement weather, call before coming out.

For those who are interested in preserving the history of our past, we are in need of volunteers at the museum for work sessions on Tuesday mornings at the Historical Centre Museum, 3811 Lehigh Drive, Northampton, PA, (in Pennsville next to Indian Trail Park). Volunteers will help to organize displays, file paperwork and documents, enter information into our computers and clean areas in the museum. If you are interested, stop in on a Tuesday when we are open and see what it’s all about! Hopefully we’ll see you soon!

New day and route for Northampton Borough’s Annual Jack Frost Parade

The annual Jack Frost Parade, sponsored by the Northampton Exchange Club, will be held Saturday, October 23 at 6 p.m. with a rain date of Saturday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m.

The new route for 2021 is: North on Lerchenmiller Drive from Clear Springs Drive to Smith Lane, left onto Smith Lane to Laubach Avenue, left onto Laubach Avenue then an immediate right onto Gene Zarayko Drive (14th Street) to Washington Avenue, right onto Washington Avenue to 19th Street, left onto 19th Street to Main Street, left onto Main Street to Lerchenmiller Drive, ending at the Northampton Fire Station.

The route change is necessitated due to activities scheduled at the Northampton Memorial Community Center.

The Rotary Club of Slatington and Giant Food Store of Walnutport are teaming up

During the 113th Greater Northern Lehigh Halloween Parade on Saturday, Oct. 30th, spectators are encouraged to make monetary or non-perishable goods donations to the Northern Lehigh Food Bank. Rotary members and Giant volunteers will be walking in the parade with Giant shopping carts to collect your donations. Please help us fill our carts for the Northern Lehigh Food Bank! Email usa1eric@ptd.net with any questions or donations prior to the parade.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Diane Fries - 69 on October 10 Hadleigh Joy Langdon - 11 on October 12 Katelynn Moyer - 9 on October 13