Scholarships bring teachers to DSU to learn cyber skills
April 10, 2025
High school teachers from around the country have received scholarships through the National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy (NCTA) to earn a specialization in computer science and cyber education.
Supported by a grant from the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C), participants will learn the foundations of cybersecurity, how to teach cybersecurity, network security, and other advanced topics.
“We are thrilled to help high school teachers throughout the country learn foundational cybersecurity concepts, build their local cybersecurity education programs, and share their knowledge with students,” said Dr. Fenecia Homan, dean of the Governors Cyber Academy and K-12 initiatives.
Scholarship recipients are placed at one of seven collegiate institutions based on their unique area of focus. The 18-credit online program at Dakota State focuses on computer science and cyber education and includes six courses -- Cyber Leadership and Ethics, Artificial Intelligence for Educators, Cybersecurity for Educators, Computer Programming for Educators, Hardware and Networking for Educators, and a Cybersecurity Practicum.
The goal of the program is to reach rural teachers and equip them with a broad understanding of cybersecurity concepts to address their students’ diverse needs and interests.
Despite being online, students will have the opportunity to learn from activities and labs that are a part of the DSU PowerCyber℠ Lab. This certificate meets South Dakota’s computer science and IT endorsement requirements and prepares South Dakota educators to teach dual enrollment courses through the Governors Cyber Academy.
These courses are also open to non-scholarship recipients who are interested in furthering their education and skill sets.
A total of 22 teachers from 11 states received the NCTA scholarship for Dakota State University.
- Robert Bergstrom of McCook Central in Salem, South Dakota
- Alyson Palmer of Mitchell High School in Mitchell, South Dakota
- James Cunningham of Wind River Schools in Pavillion, Wyoming
- Lily Stice of Freedom Preparatory Academy in Provo, Utah
- Kieren Reynolds of Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
- Laura McNeill of Lancaster School District in Lancaster, Minnesota
- Amelia Jamison of Vallivue High School in Caldwell, Idaho
- Andrew Griffin of Tea Area High School in Tea, South Dakota
- Paul Jongeling of Hamlin School in Hayti, South Dakota
- Mark Ogden of Jordan Academy for Technology and Careers in West Jordan, Utah
- Page McMullen of St. George’s Independent School in Collierville, Tennessee
- Yoland Corona-Smith of Harlan High School in San Antonio, Texas
- Kristen Henderson of Keller Center for Advanced Learning in Keller, Texas
- Josephine Winter of Austin High School in Austin, Minnesota
- Quenna Eisenzimmer of Munich Public School in Munich, North Dakota
- Walaa Alshafei of Tate High School in Iowa City, Iowa
- Frankie Clark of North Valleys High School Panthers in Reno, Nevada
- Penni Aufderheide of Jerome High School in Jerome, Idaho
- Sherrie Kafka of Freeman School in Freeman, South Dakota
- Scott Johns of Cheyenne South High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming
- Robert Hopper of Syracuse High School in Syracuse, Utah
- Jason Landrum of Missouri Military Academy in Mexico, Missouri