Gina Ortiz Jones, Under Secretary of the Air Force, visits St. Philip’s College

About 50 students were present at St. Philip’s College on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, as it hosted Under Secretary of the Air Force, Gina Ortiz Jones, for a Career Conversations Session. 

During the session, keynote speaker, Gina Ortiz Jones, and Air Force personnel gave students an overview of cybersecurity positions, explained qualifications and discussed possible career pathways. 

The session shed light on the increasing demands for online security and a growing concern for protecting private and trade secret data from hackers.

“With its significant military presence, continually thriving private cybersecurity enterprises and nationally-recognized technology and research institutions, San Antonio is increasingly becoming Cyber City, USA,” said Dr. Adena Williams Loston, St. Philip’s College President. “St. Philip’s College is ranked nationally as one of the best schools for cybersecurity and network security degree and certificate programs. We were honored to host the Honorable Gina Ortiz Jones and recruiters on our campus to tell our students about the many cybersecurity opportunities within the Air Force and Space Force.”

St. Philip’s College, San Antonio College, Northeast Lakeview College, and Palo Alto College have been recognized recently for their cybersecurity programs.

In December 2021, St. Philip’s College received the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Program of Study Validation by the National Security Agency (NSA). This recognition extends to the Information Technology Cybersecurity Specialist program through the 2026 academic year. St. Philip’s College joined other nationally validated programs to produce high-quality cybersecurity professionals to safeguard the U.S. national infrastructure.

St. Philip’s College is also designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), a prestigious program jointly sponsored by the NSA and Department of Homeland Security. CAE-CD is one of the most difficult designations to receive, as the College is assessed on its research, program offerings, multidisciplinary approach, performance in cyber competitions, and many other factors.