The Carolina Cyber Network’s Fall 2026 Convening, hosted by Randolph Community College in Asheboro September 30–October 2, brought together educators, employers, and government partners around a shared priority: preparing students for the demands of cybersecurity work.
Under the theme “Innovation, Collaboration, and Excellence in Cyber Education,” the program connected internship experiences, applied cybersecurity training, economic sector collaboration, and practical approaches to strengthening instruction.
The convening began with a reception at the North Carolina Zoo, sponsored by Hack The Box, providing an informal setting for connections across the network. Thursday’s program included a welcome from Randolph Community College President Dr. Shah Ardalan and opening remarks from CCN Director Dr. Mark Sorrells.
Connecting Learning with Workplace Experience
The panel “Learning, Contributing, Growing: The CCN Internship Experience from Both Sides” placed employers and interns together in the conversation about workforce preparation.
Moderated by Jeremiah Smith, the panel included Jennifer Fix and Rachel Soubier from NCDIT, Tim Croom and William Blankenship from Volvo Group, and Kate Kremer and former intern Jennifer Moran from Stern Security. Pairing these perspectives gave the program a direct connection to the experiences of students entering the profession and the organizations supporting their development.
Applied learning was another prominent part of Thursday’s agenda. Tony Brown of Forsyth Technical Community College led the Escape Room Competition, while Rodney Cobb of Cleveland Community College led the Secure Manufacturing Village and the “Operation Broken Conveyer” tabletop exercise. These activities placed practical cybersecurity training alongside the convening’s discussions of curriculum and workforce readiness.
Collaboration Across Economic Sectors
Healthcare and maritime sector presentations from Jennifer Jones of Catawba Valley Community College and Ulku Clark of the University of North Carolina Wilmington brought attention to cybersecurity needs across different working environments.
Dedicated meetings for agriculture, finance, healthcare, IT/OT critical infrastructure, and maritime provided space for continued collaboration among member institutions and partners. The Business and Industry Advisory Board also had a dedicated meeting during the convening.
Together, these sessions reflected the importance of connecting cybersecurity education with the needs of the sectors students will help protect.
Practical Tools for Stronger Cybersecurity Programs
Friday opened with an AI and cybersecurity panel featuring Tony Brown, Thomas Hill of Montreat College, Adam Norris of Fortalice Solutions, and Andrew Todoro of Volvo Group, moderated by Jeremiah Smith.
Four breakout topics extended the program into practical questions facing faculty and program leaders.
Thomas Hill’s “The Link: Skills, Ethics + Cybersecurity Instruction” focused on integrating professional skills and ethics into cybersecurity teaching. The session connected classroom activities, labs, and AI with ways to document instructional work and student learning for designation and redesignation efforts.
“Building AI Competencies into Cybersecurity Programs,” led by Jeremiah Smith, addressed questions faculty are asking about AI in their courses: how to support student learning, establish appropriate rules, and make informed decisions about their own use of the technology. The session description also introduced a tool CCN is developing to support those decisions.
The Hack The Box breakout focused on the implementation and pilot testing of Canvas integration at Fayetteville Technical Community College. Chandler Anderson, Nancy Casas, William “Nikitah” Cummings, and Daniel Mugambi were listed as presenters. Topics included student access, assignment management, grade synchronization, and lessons from the pilot, alongside an overview of the new Threat Range and its role in realistic cybersecurity training.
“Beyond the Advisory Board: How to Engage Employers to Build Better Cyber Programs” examined Wake Technical Community College’s approach to involving employers directly in curriculum delivery, guest instruction, and mentorship. Drawing on the National Science Foundation-funded Sentinel Cybersecurity Bootcamp, the session highlighted a model for sustained employer participation in developing cyber talent.
Thank you to Randolph Community College for hosting, Hack The Box for sponsoring the reception, and the speakers, member institutions, employers, and government partners who contributed to the convening. Their participation supports CCN’s continuing work to connect education, applied experience, and opportunity for North Carolina’s cybersecurity students.