In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the search for qualified cybersecurity professionals is intense. However, Columbus State University’s Cybersecurity Nexus Program is doing more than just filling job openings; it is dramatically changing students' lives and shaping the region’s economic future. Through a unique blend of rigorous academics, hands-on training and deep industry integration, the program has become a beacon for students ranging from recent high school graduates to single parents seeking a second career—or a second chance. For many students like Jeff Griffin, the program marks a turning point from “just getting by” to finding a true calling. The 36-year-old single father describes his experience attending classes during the day and bartending at night as “long and arduous,” but ultimately life-changing. “The program gave me far more than an education—it gave me the life of my dreams,” Griffin said of the confidence it gave him to quit his full-time sales job, enroll in the program, and pursue the career he has now as an insider threat investigator at Global Payments. “I am proud to look my son in the eye and say, ‘Look what hard work and dedication can achieve.’”
Griffin’s story isn't unique. Joe Collins (pictured), a father of four, was initially skeptical about returning to college at 28—mainly because of worries about the return on his time and monetary investment. A year later, however, he credits the Cyber Nexus program with allowing him to “completely revolutionize” his career. “When I first heard about the nexus program, it only took me minutes of quick study to realize its potential,” Collins said. “I couldn’t find any other credible university or program that offered not only courses for industry-standard certifications but also the hands-on training and real-world skills in a collaborative environment to make me immediately ready for a job in cybersecurity.” He’s gone from work that “seemed to have little meaning to him” to interning at Global Payments and defending a Fortune 500 company and its millions of customers from online criminal actors. “When I stop an attacker from [attempting to steal] data from my company, I am also stopping that attacker from stealing data from real people with real lives—like an aunt, uncle, grandparent, son or daughter,” he said.
Shalia Ramsay (pictured) discovered her niche in cybersecurity by combining her undergraduate studies in criminal justice, her prior experience in corporate and corrections security, and the investigative skills she developed from both. “I went from babysitting bad guys as a correctional officer to protecting computer networks against online bad guys as an insider threat analyst,” she said. “I was drawn to the Cyber Nexus program because of its accelerated pace and after sitting in on an informational session hosted by the faculty.” The program has grown more than fourfold since it began in Fall 2020. Cohorts are capped at 20 and 60 students, depending on the semester. As a result, students receive personalized attention from their instructors, with faculty-student ratios ranging from 1:15 to 1:20. The typical Cybersecurity Nexus student may have little or no prior college experience, but up to 20% do hold a bachelor’s degree in technical and non-technical fields. Most students are in their late 20s or older, with some stretching into their 60s. Nearly 20% of Cyber Nexus students have military backgrounds, including retirees and veterans looking for a new career, as well as active-duty soldiers aiming to enhance their technical skills. A common theme among Cybersecurity Nexus graduates is the program's ability to quickly prepare them for the workforce. The program is designed to provide real-world skills that make students immediately career-ready for cybersecurity roles. The immersive program meets every weekday with fast-paced, morning-long classes in its world-class TSYS Center for Cybersecurity. “Students learn from experienced instructors, training through live-fire exercises and cyber competitions, and often interact with industry leaders from a variety of tech-focused and Fortune 500 companies,” explained Christopher Lovelock, a Cyber Nexus instructor and two-time Columbus State graduate. “During the 12-month program, they earn up to five embedded and stackable industry certifications and graduate with a one-year Cybersecurity Practitioner certificate. With prior education—even high school dual enrollment credit or past studies in subjects outside technology—students can usually earn a Nexus degree after the initial 12-month program.”
This pipeline has proven successful for graduates like Jett Robinson (pictured). A Nexus program internship led her to Global Payments, where she later joined its global security operations center as a full-time employee. She is now a security systems administrator at Aflac. “Because of the program, I made connections I never thought I’d have,” added Robinson, who completed the program in December 2024. “If someone told me a year ago that I’d be in a full-time cybersecurity role with this level of experience and confidence, I honestly wouldn’t have believed it.”
“When I first joined the Cybersecurity Nexus Program, I was seeking a stable career that would not only provide financial security but also bring personal fulfillment,” added Gabrielle Holmes-Hodge (pictured), who interned and, after completing the program in December 2024, worked at Global Payments. “What I found was far more than I anticipated…. [It] expanded my professional network with supportive and inspiring professionals and peers and instilled in me the courage to pursue a meaningful role in the ever-evolving field of cybersecurity.” With the ink barely dry on his high school diploma and working in a grocery store deli, Brayden Cavanaugh started the Cyber Nexus program in August 2024 and finished his studies the following July. “When I graduated high school, I found myself uncertain about the path ahead. I was determined to find a meaningful direction but unsure where to start,” Cavanaugh explained. “The Nexus Program became that starting point. Before enrolling, I was a quiet, non-technical individual simply trying to discover where I belonged…. [The Nexus Program] did more than prepare me academically; it helped me grow as a person.”
At 21, Cavanaugh (pictured) now works as a help desk technician for Columbus-based MD Solutions, supporting and maintaining business networks while troubleshooting hardware, software and connectivity issues for its clients. In this role, he provides technical support to users, assists with system configurations, and resolves day-to-day issues to ensure reliable and secure IT operations. He’s also returned to the classroom to earn a bachelor’s in management information systems at Columbus State. He expects adding an undergraduate MIS degree to his Cyber Nexus studies will provide him with “a strong foundation in both technology and business, enabling me to understand better how information systems support organizational operations, decision-making and security.” “Generally, most of our Cyber Nexus students can roll all 10 of their Nexus credits from the one-year certificate program into a cybersecurity or computer science bachelor’s degree,” said Elke Brumbaugh, a lecturer in the Nexus program and a three-time Columbus State alumna. “That is a tremendous boost—up to 30 hours, or two semesters—toward completing that degree.” While technical skills are essential, the Cyber Nexus program also emphasizes soft workplace skills and personal development. Ramsay, who started the program in her late 20s, valued it for providing her with a strong technical foundation, even though she had no prior experience in information technology. “While my current job is technical, some of my most valued takeaways from the Cyber Nexus program aren’t,” she added. “The hands-on experience I gained has been helpful to my career, but so has developing my professional networking skills, collaborating within teams and learning how to help my teammates shine.” “Before [studying in the Cyber Nexus Program], I struggled with public speaking and social interaction. [The program] challenged me to develop confidence when presenting in front of others and to engage with professionals in the field,” Cavanaugh explained. “The program’s emphasis on networking and collaboration transformed my social and professional life.” Holmes-Hodge—who left a job in foodservice for the program and is now an information security administrator at Columbus State—credits the mentorship and community support she received with empowering her to pursue a meaningful professional role. “Beyond technical competencies, the program empowered me to see myself as someone capable of taking on challenges head-on and mentoring others along the way. It truly changed the trajectory of my career and life,” she said. Like Holmes-Hodge, Griffin values the sense of community he found within his cohort: “experience forged in the crucible of learning together,” as he described it.
“…[N]early all of my classmates in my cohort are a second family to me,” Griffin (pictured) said. “Even though it has been nearly six months since we graduated, I continue to talk to my classmates daily to encourage and wish each other well.” The impact of the Nexus program stretches beyond the university campus, establishing Columbus as a burgeoning technology and cybersecurity hub—and Columbus State as a source of skilled cyber talent. With major companies such as ABM, Aflac, Global Payments, Synovus, Trolleye and possibly FIS based in Columbus or expanding their presence in the area, the need for highly trained talent becomes even more critical. In fact, Cyber Nexus instructor and two-time Columbus State graduate Armando Fernandez noted as many as 85% of students in each cohort receive an internship or job offer within one month of graduation—if not sooner. “Hiring managers scout cybersecurity talent through two mock interview events a year, during which as many as 45 industry professionals come to campus to interview students and provide feedback,” Fernandez explained. “In between, industry leaders meet with students through monthly small-group and one-on-one mentoring, as well as through meetings of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) chapter, which we frequently host in our cyber range.” From offering options for career upskilling and pivots to ensuring a tech workforce pipeline skilled in protecting sensitive networks, the Cybersecurity Nexus Program is fulfilling its promise. As Griffin summarized, he is “the walking embodiment of the Nexus spirit: if you work hard and dedicate yourself, greatness can be yours.”
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