TSYS School's Linqiang Ge Named Finalist for 2026 CSU Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award

Since joining CSU in Fall 2020, TSYS School computer scientist Linqiang Ge has engaged in teaching and scholarship that have centered on transforming cybersecurity and computer science education through evidence-based, high-impact pedagogical innovations. Guided by the principles of the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL), he has systematically studied how hands-on, research-driven, and collaborative learning approaches enhance student understanding, engagement, and professional readiness. Ge's SoTL efforts have been supported by more than $197,000 in funded teaching and curriculum grants from the National Security Agency, Teach Access, Affordable Learning Georgia, and CSU. These initiatives have strengthened his ability to integrate authentic research experiences into coursework, establish inclusive computing laboratories, and expand outreach in cybersecurity education. They have also boosted Ge's candidacy for the 2026 CSU Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award to the final stage.

One of Ge's most significant SoTL projects centers on CYBR 3136 – Wireless and Network Security, an upper-level course that prepares students to analyze, design, and implement secure communication systems. Recognizing the challenge students often face in connecting theoretical security models to practical applications, he redesigned this course to emphasize active learning, project-based inquiry, and reflection driven assessment. This process included adopting a blended learning model combining concise conceptual mini lectures with lab-based investigations. Students worked in virtualized environments to test encryption protocols, perform packet analysis, and detect intrusions within ethical, simulated settings. This structure allowed Ge's students to bridge theory and practice while developing analytical and collaborative skills essential for cybersecurity professionals. "The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning has transformed my approach to education into a reflective, data-driven, and collaborative practice. I am committed to advancing a culture of scholarly teaching at Columbus State University, where each class, lab, and mentorship opportunity contributes not only to student success but also to our shared understanding of how learning happens in computing education," Ge explained. Turner Business congratulates him on this outstanding achievement.