On Feb. 22, people gathered to announce Tulsa Community College’s new Cybersecurity Lab at the Southeast Campus. Dr. Travis White, dean of the Business and Information Technology department, made opening remarks and thanked the many people and companies involved in making the dream of the cyber lab a reality.
White recognized the following companies for helping to launch the lab: GH2 Architects, Pinnacle Systems, and Scissortail Construction Company.
Dr. Travis White, dean of the Business and Information Technology Department, spearheaded the vision for the new Cybersecurity Lab. (Photo courtesy of TCC Media Relations)
Following White was Dr. Leigh Goodson, TCC’s president and CEO. She said that TCC is “steadfast in its mission to cultivate talent and meet the needs of the local workforce,” and hoped the Cybersecurity Lab would “help generations to come.”
Dr. Leigh Goodson, president and CEO of Tulsa Community College, and other leading TCC faculty and staff spoke about their hopes for the new Cybersecurity Lab. Goodson said she wants it to prepare students for the local IT workforce. (Photo courtesy of TCC Media Relations)
TCC Board of Regents member Wesley Mitchell, one of seven who oversee the affairs of the college and who has been a Regent for the past 7 years, shared his view on how the college continues to improve and evolve.
Tulsa Community College Regent Wesley Mitchell has a background in IT that includes running the Data Center Operations for Hewlett Packard Enterprise Services. He is currently the executive director of 211 Eastern Oklahoma. (Photo courtesy of TCC Media Relations)
Dr. Ted Ward, assistant professor for Business and Information Technology, addressed the attendees at the press conference next, saying that everyone will have a different perspective on the new lab. For him, it will be a great tool to teach classes.
Dr. Ted Ward, assistant professor in Business and Information Technology, stands with one of the computer server racks in the server room. TCC’s new Cybersecurity Lab includes a fully functional data center, along with many new computer monitors, for students to use to practice cybersecurity training. (Photo courtesy of TCC Media Relations)
Student Daniel Smith shared a glimpse of his journey to TCC. He talked about how his fascination with IT started as a child and how managing home IT security became such a passion that he is pursuing a degree in that discipline.
TCC student Daniel Smith said he is looking forward to the hands-on learning experiences and other opportunities available with the new Cybersecurity Lab. (Photo courtesy of TCC Media Relations)
After some closing remarks from White, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to officially open the Cybersecurity Lab.
Participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Cybersecurity Lab are (l-r) Dr. Ted Ward, Dean Travis White, Dr. Leigh Goodson, Daniel Smith, and Regent Wesley Mitchell, who also gave remarks at the lab’s opening. (Photo courtesy of TCC Media Relations)
The new lab is intended to be a “bright, fun space for students to come in and be energized about what they’re working on,” said Megan Chinoweth and Victorya Sizemore. They were the architects from GH2 who worked to bring Business and Information Technology Dean Travis White’s vision to life. (Photo courtesy of TCC Media Relations)
To learn more about TCC’s Cybersecurity Lab and its related degrees, click here.
