SSC Professor Presents on Cybersecurity Education at National Conference |

Seminole State College Assistant Professor of Computer Science Alecia Bailey served on a panel about developing and strengthening cybersecurity education during the 2026 AISES National Conference, held Oct. 15-17 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon.

The conference, hosted by the Advancing Indigenous Science and Engineering Society, carried the theme “Weaving Innovation.” It brought together students, educators and professionals working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Bailey’s participation followed SSC’s involvement in the TCU/NASNTI Cybersecurity Feasibility Study, an AISES initiative backed by Google. SSC was awarded $40,000 through AISES to support its cybersecurity programming following an assessment of the college’s capabilities and needs.

This photo shows Seminole State College Assistant Professor of Computer Science Alecia Bailey as she represents SSC at the 2026 AISES National Conference. — _{Seminole State College Assistant Professor of Computer Science Alecia Bailey represented SSC at the 2026 AISES National Conference, held Oct. 15-17 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon. Bailey served on a panel focused on developing cybersecurity education programs, building partnerships and preparing students for careers in the field.}

Cybersecurity is an emphasis within SSC’s Associate in Science in Computer Science degree. The feasibility study supports the college’s work to strengthen that educational pathway and identify opportunities for further development.

According to AISES, the study is designed to help up to five Tribal Colleges and Universities and Native American-Serving Non-Tribal Institutions develop cybersecurity education programs. Through surveys, site visits and collaborative discussions, the initiative assesses each institution’s resources and needs, producing tailored recommendations and plans. Implementation funding helps participating institutions begin putting those recommendations into practice.

During the Oct. 17 panel, Bailey joined representatives from other participating colleges to discuss building sustainable cybersecurity programs. Topics included identifying priorities when resources are limited, developing effective partnerships and preparing students for employers’ changing needs.

Other panelists were Catalina Young, IT Project Manager at Tohono O’odham Community College; Jennifer Merritt, Faculty Member and Department Chair in Computer Information Systems at Northland Pioneer College; and Sheila Trottier, Dean of Career and Technical Education at Turtle Mountain College. Chad Davis, Information Technology Director at Turtle Mountain College, moderated the discussion.

SSC’s cybersecurity emphasis introduces students to information security, programming, scripting and discrete mathematics. A recently signed articulation agreement with the University of Oklahoma Polytechnic Institute provides a transfer pathway for students completing SSC’s computer science degree with the cybersecurity emphasis to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.