PC4A Progress and Activities
PC4A "By the Numbers"
All our partners are working diligently to offer events and activities that will help meet our goals. See below for PC4A "By The Numbers," and all previous events. Stay up to date on all PC4A activities by signing up for our Newsletter and view the latest version here!
283
tuition/book
scholarships
awarded
169
cert prep
workshop
participants
1,585
hours of free
tutoring
provided
873
lab/book
vouchers
awarded
151
certification
exam vouchers
awarded
24
STEM courses
added or
updated
37
paid
internships
offered
26
certifications
earned by
students
74
events hosted
or attended by
partners
2,153
internship
hours
completed
14
faculty training
events hosted
or attended
69
collaborations
with outside
institutions
17
cert prep
workshops
offered
80
faculty trained
in cybersecurity
topics
37
bi-weekly
meetings held
with partners
PC4A Events and Activities (updated quarterly, last update December 2023)
Since the start of the project in September 2022 through December 2023, PC4A partners have offered 15 certification prep workshops to 128 participants and distributed 73 free certification exam vouchers. So far, 20 students have earned their certification, with many more expected in the coming months. Below are statistics for each workshop offered.
Workshop Date
Partner
Certification
Participants
Vouchers
Warded
Certifications
Earned
March 2024
Bucks County CC
CompTIA Network+
12
16
TDB
March 2024
Bucks County CC
CompTIA A+
23
23
TBD
Self-Study
Northampton CC
CompTIA Security+
5
3
3
Self-Study
Northampton CC
CompTIA A+
3
3
0
Self-Study
Northampton CC
CompTIA CySA+
2
2
1
December 2023
Montgomery County CC
CompTIA A+
12
12
1
December 2023
Westmoreland County CC
CompTIA A+
5
12
TBD
December 2023
Butler County CC
CompTIA Network+
4
4
4
November 2023
Montgomery County CC
Cisco CCNA
0
14
0
November 2023
Penn Highlands CC
CompTIA Network+
11
11
0
September 2023
Penn Highlands CC
CompTIA Security+
13
13
0
July 2023
Montgomery County CC
Cisco CCNA
2
5
0
July 2023
Bucks County CC
CompTIA Network+
5
5
0
July 2023
Bucks County CC
CompTIA A+
10
10
0
June 2023
Montgomery County CC
Cisco CCNA
13
13
4
May 2023
Montgomery County CC
Cisco CCNA
11
11
6
May 2023
Butler County CC
CompTIA Security+
3
3
3
April 2023
Penn Highlands CC
CompTIA Linux+
11
11
0
December 2022
Penn Highlands CC
CompTIA Network+
3
3
0
December 2022
Butler County CC
CompTIA Network+
3
3
2
Since the start of this project, IUP has offered five faculty development workshops for our partner community college faculty and staff. Please visit the faculty development page for more information. See below for additional faculty development activities
MAR 2024
Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Development Workshop
A Diversity and Inclusion Faculty Development Workshops was offered virtually to faculty at BUCKS. Based on the success of the workshop, additional workshops will be offered in May 2024.
JAN 2024
Information Literacy and AI Faculty Workshop (MCCC)
A faculty development workshop was held for all MCCC faculty focused on Information Literacy and AI. 85 faculty attended the event.
AUG 2023
CompTIA Partner Summit (BUCKS)
BUCKS Co-PI Rory Butler attended the 2023 CompTIA Partner Summit held in Las Vegas, NV which focused on creating technology pathways and strengthening the workforce.
AUG 2023
MAA MathFEST (NCC)
NCC Co-PI attended the 2023 MAA MathFest which featured sessions on a wide variety of topics including inquiry-based learning, the art of publishing, and tips for math leadership.
JUL 2023
Pathways to Student Development Conference (NCC)
The NCC Co-PI Guy Patra attended the 2023 Pathways to Student Development Conference which featured speakers from across the US.
MAY 2023
InfoSec Security+ Bootcamp (WCCC)
WCCC Co-PI Michael Caglia attended a weeklong bootcamp offered by Infosec which prepared participants to take the CompTIA Security+ certification exam. Mr. Caglia successfully earned this certification.
MAR 2024
Discover Your Future Event (MCCC)
Over 100 girls attended the "Discover Your Future" event hosted at MCCC, which was designed to encourage young women to consider careers in STEM. See the news release for details.
MAR 2024
Homer-Center High School Presentation (LO)
PC4A PI Dr. Farag visited Homer Center High School and gave a presentation on cybersecurity careers, the Computer Science Department at IUP, and the PC4A project.
MAR 2024
Forest Hills High School Presentation (PHCC)
An intern at PHCC visited Forest Hills High School and gave a presentation on cybersecurity careers and benefits available to students through the PC4A project.
MAR 2024
School District Task Force (PHCC)
NCC faculty participated in a school district task force created to assist students in preparing for college mathematics courses.
FEB 2024
Westmont High School Presentation (PHCC)
An intern at PHCC visited Westmont High School and gave a presentation on cybersecurity careers and benefits available to students through the PC4A project.
FEB 2024
School Counselor Breakfast (PHCC)
PHCC Co-PI attended a breakfast for school counselors and shared details on PHCC programs and benefits available to students through PC4A.
FEB 2024
Indiana Junior High School Presentation (LO)
PC4A PI Dr. Farag visited Indiana Area Middle School and gave a presentation on cybersecurity careers, the Computer Science Department at IUP, and the PC4A project. See the news release for details.
FEB 2024
Open House - Blair Campus (PHCC)
PHCC hosted an Open House for potential students at the Blair, PA campus. The Open House provided participants with an opportunity to meet faculty, and test out equipment used in courses.
DEC 2023
Windber High School PC4A Presentation (PHCC)
The PHCC intern presented cybersecurity program information and an overview of the PC4A Project to students at Windber Area High School, located in Windber, PA.
NOV 2023
Apollo Ridge Career Day Presentation (LO)
The PC4A PM gave a presentation on the PC4A Project, IUP GenCyber and cybersecurity careers to over 100 middle schools students from Apollo Ridge Area School District.
NOV 2023
Forest Hills High School PC4A Presentation (PHCC)
The PHCC intern presented cybersecurity program information and an overview of the PC4A Project to students at Forest Hills High School, located in Sidman, PA.
NOV 2023
Partner/Counselor Appreciation Breakfast (MCCC)
Two breakfasts for dual enrollment partners and school counselors were hosted by MCCC on November 9 and 13, 2023. STEM administrators attended the breakfast, and shared information on PC4A.
MAR 2024
2nd Annual Cybersecurity Community Event (PHCC)
PHCC offered the second Annual Cybersecurity Community Event for high school students and senior citizens. Participants learned more about cybersecurity, played games, and met PHCC faculty.
JAN 2024
Cybersecurity Institute Kick-Off Event (PHCC)
A kick-off event was held to celebrate the launch of the PHCC Institute for Cybersecurity, which offers a comphrensive suite of pathway programs for high-school and college students.
DEC 2023
Bsides Philly Cybersecurity Event (NCC)
Eight students from NCC attended the BSides Cybersecurity Event held in Philadelphia, PA. Students were able to learn about changes in the industry and compete in a competition in which they placed second.
OCT 2023
16th Annual Cybersecurity Day at IUP (LO)
IUP held 16th Annual Cybersecurity Day, which featured presentations by cybersecurity experts. PC4A sponsored the event which was attended by over 200 people, including students/faculty from PC4A partners schools.
OCT 2023
BSides Flood City Event (LO & PHCC)
The first annual BSides Flood City Cybersecurity event was hosted by PHCC and sponsored by PC4A. The PC4A PM attended the event, which included presentation from cybersecurity experts for students and employers.
SEP 2023
Science Center Grand Re-Opening (MCCC)
A celebration of the re-opening of the MCCC Science Center was recently held, and MCCC and PC4A staff and faculty shared information on current programs, research, and the PC4A Project.
MAR 2023
Cybersecurity Community Event (PHCC)
PHCC offered the first annual Cybersecurity Community Event that was free and open to the public. Topics included cyber threats, social media risks, email security, passwords, and cybersecurity laws.
OCT 2022
15th Annual Cybersecurity Day at IUP (LO)
IUP offered the 15th Annual Cybersecurity Day, day-long event featuring presentations from renowned cybersecurity experts. Students and faculty from WCCC also attended this event.
One of the main objectives of the PC4A project is to increase interest in DoD/DIB employment. Partners are completing this objective by seeking out DoD/DIB involvement in their classrooms and activities, establishing internship programs, and identifying and cultivating relationships with various DoD/DIB agencies and contractors. Please visit the DoD/DIB Outreach Page for more information.
MAR 2024
Montco Employer Days (MCCC)
Employers visited MCCC campus to meet with current students and share details on careers in STEM and Health Science.
MAR 2024
Transfer Fair - Pocono and Bethlehem Campuses (MCCC)
A Transfer Fair was hosted at NCC's Pocono and Bethlehem campuses with representatives from over 40 colleges and universities. See the event website for further details.
MAR 2024
Mid-Atlantic Cybersecurity Capabilities and Career Symposium (NCC)
NCC students and faculty attended the Mid Atlantic Cybersecurity Capabilities and Symposium. NCC students participated in a "Capture the Flag" style competition, earning first place!
MAR 2024
Open House - Youngwood Campus (WCCC)
WCCC hosted an Open House at the Youngwood, PA campus. Details on the Computer Technology Department and benefits available through the PC4A project were shared with participants.
MAR 2024
Montco Science Research Competition (MCCC)
MCCC faculty volunteered as judges at the Montco Science Research Competition, where students presented projects in math, ecology, computer science, and other STEM fields.
MAR 2024
BotsIQ Preliminary Combat Robotics Competition (WCCC)
WCCC hosted the annual BotsIQ Combat Robotics Preliminary competition, where students from the region battle their creations in a cage match.
MAR 2024
Future Ready Conference (BUCKS)
BUCKS hosted the Future Ready Conference and provided participants with sessions on cybersecurity careers, and the PC4A project.
JAN 2024
SkillsUSA District 2 Competition (MCCC)
MCCC hosted the SkillsUSA District 2 Competition, which featured competitions in cybersecurity and information technology.
JAN 2024
SkillsUSA District 11 Competition (NCC)
Four students from NCC competed in the SkillsUSA District 11 Competition, which provides students an opportunity to show employers their skills. For more details, view the press release here.
JAN 2024
Week of Welcome Events (MCCC)
A "Week of Welcome" was held at MCCC to welcome students back to campus for the Spring 2024 semester. Activities includes snacks, fairs, and informational sessions.
NOV 2023
Alvernia University Campus Visits (MCCC)
The STEM Division hosted representatives from Alvernia University who met with faculty and students, and shared information on their programs and scholarship opportunities.
SEP 2023
Merck Day at Montco (MCCC)
Merck Day at Montco was a combination career fair, information session, and scientific symposium. Sudents and community members had the opportunity to meet and network with representatives from Merck.
JUN 2023
CAE-C Symposium (LO & PHCC)
PC4A PI Dr. Waleed Farag and PHCC Co-PI Greg Paonessa attended the 2023 CAE-C Symposium held in Seatle, WA, and Dr. Farag gave a presentation on the PC4A Project. Visit the event website for details.
FEB 2023
DoD STEM Exchange (LO)
PI Dr. Waleed Farag presented a talk titled "PC4A: A Model for Fostering Genuine Collaboration among Community Colleges to Advance Cybersecurity and STEM Education at the inaugural DoD STEM Exchange.
MAR 2024
Concurrent Technologies Corporation Site Visit (PHCC)
Student members of the PHCC Computer Club visited DoD Contractor Concurrent Technologies Corporation for a tour and information on cybersecurity careers and employment.
MAR 2024
Regional Cyber Hub Kick-Off Meeting (LO)
PC4A PI Dr. Farag was invited to participate in a newly formed Regional Cyber Hub. The kick-off meeting included representatives from various educational institutions in PA. See the press release for details.
FEB 2024
International Visitor Leadership Visit to IUP (LO)
PC4A PI Dr. Farag gave a presentation to international delegates from Iran as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program, sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security. See the news release for details.
AUG 2023
NCAE NE Regional Meeting and Townhall (LO & PHCC)
Project PI Dr. Waleed Farag and PHCC Co-PI Greg Paonessa attended the event with the theme "Planting the Seeds: Collaborating and Sustaining the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Professionals."
AUG 2023
1st Annual PC4A Partner Conference (LO)
For the first time since the start of the project, all PC4A Partners gathered in person to reflect on the first year of the project, discussing goals, accomplishments, and plans for the second year of the project.
AUG 2023
Computer Technology Advisory Meeting (PHCC)
The PHCC Advisory Board met to discuss the PHCC assessment process, the PC4A Project, and new courses to be added to computer science related programs.
MAY 2023
Showcase for Commerce (PHCC)
PHCC Co-PIs attended the 32nd Annual Showcase for Commerce event, held in Johnstown, PA. The event allowed for connections with various DoD contractors, private businesses, and educational institutions.
MAY 2023
Aerium Summit (PHCC)
PHCC Staff attended the inaugural Aerium Summit, which provided opportunities for students to learn about careers in aviation, drone operation, defense, and others. Students also participated in hands-on activities.
MAY 2023
Bucks Computer Science Advisory Board Meeting (BUCKS)
Bucks Computer Science Department held an advisory board meeting where STEM faculty and local employers were invited to provide feedback on the level of employment preparedness and curriculum for CS programs.
DEC 2022
River Valley Roundtable w/ PA Labor and Industry Secretary (LO)
PC4A PI Dr. Waleed Farag was invited to participate in a round table discussion hosted by River Valley STEAM Academy attended by the Pennsylvania Labor and Industry Secretary Jennifer Berrier. See the News Release for more details.