Category: Academics

SC4 students to take on final stage of national cybersecurity competition this weekend

This Friday through Sunday, students in St. Clair County Community College’s computer information systems networking degree program will compete against teams across the country as part of the Fall 2018 National Cyber League (NCL) competition.

ncl-logo_cropFounded in 2011, the NCL provides an ongoing virtual training ground for individuals to develop and validate cybersecurity knowledge in a defensive and offensive puzzle-based, capture-the-flag style competition. Participants play the games simultaneously during a preseason, regular season and postseason, competing as individuals and on teams to test themselves against cybersecurity challenges they are likely to face in the workforce.

SC4’s NCL team is comprised of nine students from the college’s Network Security-Security+ Certification course. Led by adjunct instructor Bill Pilkey, team members took part in the regular season competition Nov. 1 through 2, when participants are only allowed to solve game challenges individually. During the postseason, SC4 students will compete in two groups due to changing requirements that limit teams to a maximum of five players.

“Real-world cybersecurity work is often done in teams, and the NCL postseason event provides a safe and challenging environment for individual players from the regular season to apply their knowledge and skills in a team setting,” says Pilkey. “The team event requires players to work together to solve real problems, with real deadlines, under time — and in some cases — technical and resource constraints.”

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Nearly 1,000 teams representing schools across the country will compete in this year’s NCL postseason. Community colleges are in a unique position, Pilkey explains, as students generally compete for just one year, while students at four-year institutions stay with their teams much longer. “We end up with a new group each year, except for a couple previous competitors,” Pilkey says.

Beyond the thrill of competition and potential recognition for winners, NCL team members gain invaluable hands-on experience that complements their education and helps them stand out to potential employers. “Being in a competition like this is a great addition to students’ resumes. It adds to all parts of data security and hacking, exposing them to every aspect of cybersecurity,” says Pilkey.

The NCL postseason matchup will be held entirely online, running 24/7 Friday through Sunday. To make collaboration easier, SC4’s team members will be working together on campus Friday from 3 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. The NCL season officially concludes Dec. 16.

For the Wiltons, Success at Blue Water Middle College Academy Runs in the Family

The Blue Water Middle College Academy gave Sharon Wilton’s two daughters a jump on the game with free associate degrees thanks to the partnership between the St. Clair County Regional Educational Service Agency, area school districts and St. Clair County Community College.

Wilton, March of Dimes development manager, said she is amazed at the paths her daughters, Emily and Meghan, have taken since earning degrees from the Middle College, which gives students an opportunity to earn a free associate degree by attending school an extra year.

“All the professors were very welcoming to the Middle College students,” she said. “They helped prepare students for college at a young age, gave them confidence to complete college-level work and provided support along the way.”

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Emily, 22, enrolled in the Middle College as a junior in 2012 while attending Port Huron Northern High School. She was president of SC4’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society her senior year and graduated with honors in 2015 with a liberal arts degree in addition to earning her high school diploma – all at no cost to her and her family.

She went on to Northwood University in Midland, Michigan, taking accelerated courses to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration. She was Northwood’s student government president, awarded the school’s prestigious Arthur E. Turner Award and inducted into its Gallery of Distinction.

Emily now works at the Midland Brewing Co. on a consulting project. She and Northwood classmate Sydnie Michael have started a homemade pasta business, Pastamico, and sell at the Midland Farmers Market and in the Bay City-Saginaw area.

Wilton said both Emily and Meghan were captains of Northern’s color guard, held jobs and taught dance classes while attending the Middle College.

“Middle College requires that students work hard because they have classes at the high school and college until their 13th year,” she said. “But they definitely can still work or participate in sports at the same time.”

IMG_1426 (1)Meghan, 19, also a Northern BWMCA high school student, finished Middle College in May. After transferring 64 credits, Meghan is attending Grand Valley State University for hospitality and tourism management, working part time and still helping with color guard.

Wilton herself earned an associate degree from SC4 in 1996 and received her bachelor’s from Baker College and master’s from its Center for Graduate Studies.

“I do have parents ask me if I would recommend Middle College, and I definitely do,” she said. “I think it’s a wonderful program. I am very proud of both of them and grateful they had this opportunity in St. Clair County.”

TRIO Student of the Month: Crystal Devlaminck

Crystal Devlaminck was raised by her grandparents, who gained legal guardianship when she was taken away from her parents as a child. Though it may not seem like it, Crystal was born with a handicap, resulting from choices her parents made during pregnancy. She grew up in special education classes and utilized different types of therapy and counseling for most of her life. Along with her disabilities, Crystal has been managing mental health issues for nearly 15 years.

“Even with all these barriers, I was able to graduate high school in 2010 and am now attending St. Clair County Community College, finishing up my last transfer class for the 3 + 1 program with Siena Heights University to get my bachelor’s in business administration,” she says. After this semester, she will begin courses as a senior at Siena Heights.

Crystal is also driven by her Christian faith, explaining she came to religion later in life in her early 20s. “I have had a lot of ups and downs throughout my college career that I have had to overcome. Thanks to my support team in TRIO and others at SC4, I have always been encouraged to persevere. I am so very thankful for having everyone who has supported me throughout these years and motivated me to achieve success.”

Learn more about TRIO Student Support Services at SC4.

During Michigan College Month, think about SC4

October is Michigan College Month, the statewide focus of a larger national initiative that encourages graduating high school seniors to submit at least one college application and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by Oct. 31.

Michigan is home to some of the country’s finest two- and four-year colleges and universities. Still, the decision to attend college remains a difficult choice for many, even with recent studies showing that graduates have greater access to job opportunities and earn $1 million more on average over their lifetimes than those with only a high school diploma.

Beyond the numbers, going to college also provides formative sociocultural benefits, bringing students together in diverse communities to bond over shared interests and different perspectives while challenging preconceptions that prove costly in today’s global marketplace.

Why SC4?

Cost

The cost of a college education can make an undeniably smart choice more difficult. That’s one of the main reasons why community colleges like St. Clair County Community College are so important: They offer options and affordability.

  • Associate degree programs prepare you to immediately enter your chosen field in as little as two years.
  • Save time and money on a bachelor’s degree by earning affordable credits you can transfer to a four-year institution.
  • SC4 offers a more personalized learning environment, with smaller class sizes and more one-on-one engagement with instructors.
  • If you’re not sure what to study, you can explore various subjects that interest you by taking courses that cost less.
  • Study on your schedule. SC4 offers more flexible courses in the evenings after business hours and online.

Campus life

When considering community college, campus life is sometimes listed as a drawback. While flexibility and affordability are important, many students are interested in a “true college experience.” That’s where SC4 sets itself apart, offering the benefits of a community college with the feel of a four-year institution — including the opportunity to complete a degree or earn easily transferable credits at nearly a third of the cost.

  • A 29-acre campus in the heart of downtown Port Huron, a uniquely vibrant city where something new is happening every day. Our city is right on a busy international border, straddling the banks of the St. Clair River and steps away from the beautiful shores of Lake Huron.
  • Accredited programs led by faculty members who have achieved success in their fields, lending their expertise to prepare students for fulfilling careers.
  • Brand-new campus housing right downtown, with room for 80 students and all the creature comforts.
  • 11 athletics teams, with tailgates, game days and all the excitement of college sports.
  • A center of arts and culture in the community, with everything from special exhibits to one-of-a-kind concerts, plays and so much more.
  • A full fitness center — free for students — with a basketball court, walking track, weight room and cardio equipment.
  • A wide array of student clubs and activities to explore interests and passions.
  • Dedicated advisors and student support services like the math, writing and achievement centers.

This Michigan College Month, let’s not lose sight of our important local institutions. Amidst rising costs, SC4 is a different kind of community college offering more than you’d expect.