YPSILANTI – The National Security Agency (NSA) has redesignated Eastern Michigan University’s GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through the 2028 academic year. 

“This designation is the result of the outstanding effort and dedication of Mohammed Alsaleh, assistant professor, the support of School of Information Security & Applied Computing (SISAC) Interim Director Sean Che and SISAC faculty,” said Mohamad Qatu, dean of the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology. 

“Continuing our existing designation with NSA that we received in 2015 reflects our quality education in cybersecurity,” he added. “This designation helps our students pursue careers in cybersecurity, particularly with government agencies.”

According to the NSA, the CAE-CD designation is awarded to regionally-accredited academic institutions offering cybersecurity degrees or certificates for demonstrating standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence, competency development among students and faculty, community outreach, and leadership in professional development, integrating cybersecurity practice within the institution & across academic disciplines and actively engages in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education. 

Eastern’s strengths that led to the redesignation include:

• Establishing an environment for academic excellence

• Quality faculty who demonstrate leadership and are actively involved in supporting student research 

• Providing courses of distinction that meet the requirements of employers in the government and industry

• Collaboration and community outreach with local high schools

• Having an extensive and established list of articulation agreements with community colleges 

EMU students with cybersecurity degrees are employed at companies such as Google, Amazon, as well as the Department of Homeland Security and the NSA. 

The program offers flexible online and in-person courses to meet the demand for personalized education and career-oriented students and professionals. 

“Achieving this milestone confirms that Eastern Michigan University is helping reduce threats to our national infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense and providing the nation with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals. This is an important certification of academic excellence and engagement,” said Qatu. 

For more information about the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology, School of Information Security & Applied Computing, visit the website. 

About the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology
The GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology provides world-class experiences in engineering, technology, cybersecurity, autonomous vehicles, drone technology, gaming, aviation, and other areas of study in high-demand career fields. It is within the college’s mission to cultivate individuals' intellectual and personal growth through research-informed education and diverse programs that emphasize the practical application of scientific knowledge. For more information about the GameAbove College of Engineering and Technology, visit the college’s website. 

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.