Refreshed curriculum creates career-ready grads

Madison College will launch a new cyber compliance program this fall, equipping students with the skills they will need to meet the demands of IT employers.

These highly trained graduates will protect companies from cyber threats, advise on risk management, and implement security controls in this ever-evolving industry.

"We're excited about this program and expect job growth in this niche area. Our goal is to provide students with the best possible coursework to match this emerging industry," says Angela Snelling, IT department co-chair.

Industry trend driven

The new program enhances the college's robust IT offerings, allowing students to choose from seven associate degrees, one technical diploma, and numerous certificates.

This initiative is college-wide, with a recent emphasis on enhancing the IT curriculum by responding to market trends and equipping students to be workforce-ready, says Nina Milbauer, Chair of the Information Technology Department.

Madison College will also introduce a network system administration program this fall, another initiative driven by industry trends.

"We met with businesses that hire our students and talked with them about the skills that they expect our students to have when they graduate, to make sure that we are hitting the mark on what they need from us," Milbauer says.

Another focus is creating flexible options for students to explore different IT interests.

"We provide a pathway for students when they first start so that they can make choices across programs. If they develop a stronger interest in another area, they can easily transition within the program without wasting their time," Snelling says.