On October 22, 2025, the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) hosted a special ceremony recognizing the achievements of rising cybersecurity professionals and the strength of North Carolina’s growing cyber workforce.
Held at Congdon Hall, the event brought together students, faculty, and leaders from government and industry to celebrate several milestones in workforce development. Highlights included the presentation of AFCEA North Carolina Veteran Student STEM Scholarships and the formal recognition of new North Carolina Department of Information Technology (NCDIT) interns and Carolina Cyber Network (CCN) workforce placements.
Honorees included:
- Tyler Gregory, NC DIT Intern
- Benjamin Nelson, NC DIT Intern
- Ahamed Fareeth, Trusted Ascent
- Gage Bowen, Tec-Refresh
Dr. Ulku Clark, director of UNCW’s Center for Cyber Defense Education, reflected on the impact: “This morning we celebrated our AFCEA North Carolina Veteran Student STEM Scholars and Carolina Cyber Network students, including NC DIT interns and workforce placements. We are grateful to AFCEA North Carolina, Carolina Cyber Network, NC DIT, and UNCW leadership, faculty, and staff for supporting our students and strengthening North Carolina’s cybersecurity workforce.”
The program included remarks from AFCEA NC, UNCW leadership, and CCN representatives, each emphasizing the importance of collaboration in building a strong, resilient talent pipeline.
One student shared, “The Carolina Cyber Network and AFCEA have opened doors I didn’t even know existed. I’m honored to be recognized and excited to contribute to something bigger than myself.”
This recognition event was more than a ceremony. It was a moment of shared commitment among students, educators, and employers to shape a cybersecurity workforce that reflects the state’s values of service, innovation, and resilience.
Photos by: Sajorden Rivenbark/ UNCW
