El Paso Community College has once again proven its mettle in the realm of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, securing a redesignation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) for the 2024–2029 cycle. The announcement came during the 2025 CAE in Cybersecurity Community Symposium, which took place on April 8-10, 2025, in Charleston, South Carolina, according to EPCC News. EPCC's representatives, Dr. Myshie Pagel, Dean for Education & Career and Technical Education, and Dr. Christian Servin, Education Research Developer Coordinator of EPCC's CAE-CD efforts, were present to accept this prestigious acknowledgment of the institution's steadfast commitment to cybersecurity excellence.
Not to be understated, EPCC was one of just 32 institutions across the nation recognized either with a new designation or redesignation at this year's ceremony. Designed to engage peer institutions and exchange best practices, according to EPCC's article, the symposium provided a platform for innovation in addressing cybersecurity and AI challenges, placing EPCC on a stage with national peers and opening avenues for further research and funding opportunities.
This momentous occasion is not just a feather in EPCC's cap but a testament to the tireless efforts of many who have pushed the college's program to the forefront of cybersecurity education. "We extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. William Serrata and Dr. Steve Smith for their outstanding leadership and vision throughout this endeavor, " the EPCC News mentioned, also acknowledging Dr. Pagel's pivotal contributions, AVP Marco Fernandez, and several dedicated faculty members in the ITS and CS Computing disciplines.
Programs like Hack the Border underscore EPCC’s commitment to experiential learning and demonstrate the importance of industry partnership in shaping a future workforce skilled in cyber defense. Acknowledging interdisciplinary cooperation, the EPCC News states, "We recognize the interdisciplinary contributions from academic areas such as Government, Health, and Criminal Justice, whose collaborative programs significantly support the CAE." This acknowledgment speaks to the collaborative efforts that have paved the way for EPCC's CAE-CD designation and its position as a leader in cybersecurity education.
