North Carolina just recognized one of the best cybersecurity educators in the state, and she’s right here in our network.
Congratulations to Tonya Stephens of Blue Ridge Community College for earning the Excellence in Teaching Award from the North Carolina Community College System.
This is not just a teaching award. It is recognition of real workforce impact.
Tonya has spent more than 25 years building programs that do more than prepare students for exams. She prepares them for reality.
• Built one of the system’s first artificial intelligence pathways
• Leads cyber defense teams that compete at the national level
• Expands access for women and underrepresented students in cybersecurity
• Creates classrooms where students encounter and solve real-world problems before they ever enter the workforce
Her students do not just earn certifications. They graduate ready to contribute on day one.
Tonya is an educator who connects classroom experience directly to workforce outcomes. This is exactly what the Carolina Cyber Network is designed to scale across North Carolina.
Well-deserved recognition for an educator who is shaping the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Read more: Excellence Across 58 Colleges: NC Community Colleges Names 2026 Award Winners – NCCCS
UPDATE April 16, 2026: Blue Ridge Community College Instructor Tonya Stephens Receives Statewide Excellence in Teaching Award
