FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT:
Lisa Slappy, Chief Communications and Public Relations Officer
410-386-8184 | lslappy@carrollcc.edu
Carroll Community College Held Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for State-of-the-Art Cyber Range Training Program
Cyber Ranges Provide Hands-on, Experiential Learning in a Secure Environment
Carroll Community College (Carroll) held its ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Cyber Range on November 4 to mark its launch into Maryland’s Cyber Workforce Accelerator (CWA) program. The event was attended by state and local dignitaries, industry leaders, and members of the College community. It marked a major milestone in the College’s commitment to preparing students for careers in cybersecurity and information technology.
Established in 2024 by the Maryland Association of Community Colleges and BCR Cyber, the CWA provides cyber ranges to all 16 Maryland community colleges for use in both program training and community college training across the IT and cybersecurity spectrum. Key to the CWA program is the BCR Cyber Series 3000 Cyber Range, a training system that simulates cyber-attacks and introduces students to cybersecurity concepts and operations.
Carroll will now have on-site access to the cyber range via dedicated remote workstations. This access will be used for cybersecurity curriculum development and course inclusion. Students will now be able to demonstrate their knowledge in a hyper-realistic, stimulating environment alongside both peers and professors.
“Today marks more than a celebratory opening of the Cyber Range, it reinforces the College’s commitment to preparing our students and our region for the future of cybersecurity, technology, and workforce innovation,” said Dr. Rose Mince, President of Carroll Community College.
Maryland community college students will now have the opportunity to be trained on the activities and tools associated with cybersecurity in a hyper-realistic environment. Once students complete their studies, the program assists in placing these students in industry jobs while also helping address the urgent needs of Maryland’s cyber workforce.
“The Cyber Workforce Accelerator program, with its cutting-edge cyber ranges, will be a game- changer for cybersecurity education in Maryland,” says Brad Phillips, Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Community Colleges. “We are proud to support this initiative at Carroll and its positive impact on its students and the state's economy."
Among the students recognized was Ed Ngere, President of the Cybersecurity Student Club at Carroll, who recently earned first place in a regional cybersecurity competition. His achievement reflects the caliber of talent emerging from Carroll’s cybersecurity program and the impact of experiential learning opportunities like the Cyber Range.
“There is a significant need here in Maryland for skilled IT and cybersecurity professionals. Community colleges play a vital role not only in helping meet this need, but also in helping to facilitate meaningful employment for job seekers,” says Michael Spector, President of BCR Cyber. “We are excited about the launch of the cyber range at Carroll and the opportunities it presents.”
“The cyber range training provided through the Cyber Workforce Accelerator grant is the perfect supplement to the in-classroom curriculum that our students receive in our program,” said Matt Day, Program Director of Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Computer Information Systems at the Carroll.
BCR Cyber training programs combine theoretical knowledge with real-world scenarios, enabling participants to apply their learning to practical situations. To ensure training programs are aligned with today’s cybersecurity industry standards, BCR Cyber created a public-private consortium of more than 40 strategic industry partners. Together, this consortium provides BCR Cyber with valuable guidance on industry requirements and needs.
For more information about the Cyber Workforce Accelerator at Carroll, visit https://www.carrollcc.edu/programs/professional-skills-job-training/the-cyber-workforce-accelerator/
PHOTO CAPTION:
Carroll Community College held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 4 to launch its Cyber Range as part of Maryland’s Cyber Workforce Accelerator (CWA) program. The event brought together state and local officials, industry leaders, and members of the College community, marking a major milestone in preparing students for careers in cybersecurity.
