CyAD 2026: Cybersecurity Across Disciplines Summit: Full Schedule

Welcome to the fourth annual Cybersecurity Across Disciplines (CyAD) Summit hosted by the National Cybersecurity Training & Education Center (NCyTE)!

The schedule is tentative and subject to change. Please check back regularly for the most current version.
Important Notice: Only fully registered attendees can log in and create a personal schedule. CyAD registrants check your email inbox or junk folder for a Sched invitation. To avoid issues, please add [email protected] to your safe sender list.
All sessions are first-come, first-served. While you can plan your schedule in Sched, it does not guarantee a seat in any session.

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9:40am CDT

Sharing the Spark: Advancing the Development of New and Early Career Faculty in Cybersecurity Education

Thursday June 25, 2026 9:40am - 10:25am CDT

BLDG T Fogelson Theater

The cybersecurity workforce gap in critical infrastructure sectors demands not only more professionals, but more qualified educators to train them. Critical infrastructure—including energy, water, transportation, healthcare facilities, and financial services—faces escalating cyber threats while struggling to fill specialized security roles. Two complementary initiatives address this need: the CAE-CD New and Early Career Faculty program and the NCyTE Community College Cybersecurity Fellowship Program. By focusing on faculty development, these initiatives equip educators with the tools and knowledge needed to deliver high-quality cybersecurity education aligned with the unique requirements of critical infrastructure protection and workforce needs.

This presentation provides an overview of how these programs support and engage new and early-career faculty throughout their professional development journey. We will explore effective strategies for faculty mentorship, professional development, and ongoing skill development that help educators transition successfully into cybersecurity teaching roles at 2-and 4-year institutions. Members from both initiatives, including participants who have engaged with both programs, will share their experiences and insights into how these opportunities have shaped their teaching careers and strengthened cybersecurity education.

Attendees will learn practical approaches for supporting faculty development within their own institutions and discover how collaborative efforts across programs can amplify impact. Whether you're a new faculty member seeking guidance or an administrator looking to strengthen your faculty pipeline, this session offers valuable perspectives on building and sustaining excellence in cybersecurity education.

Speakers

Gretchen Bliss

Director of Cybersecurity programs, University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Gretchen Bliss is the Cybersecurity Program Director at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and Secretary of the Board for the Space ISAC. Previously, she served as Space ISAC Secretary from 2022–2026. In these roles, she works to strengthen collaboration across the... Read More →

Kristine Christensen

Professor, Computer Information Systems / Director, Faculty Development / PI, Explore Cyber, Moraine Valley Community College

Dr. Kristine Christensen is a Professor of Computer Information Systems at Moraine Valley Community College with more than twenty years of experience teaching and developing curriculum in web development, user interface design, programming, networking, robotics, and engineering technology... Read More →

Paige Flores

Adjunct Professor, California State University San Bernardino

Paige Flores, Ph.D., is a cybersecurity education researcher specializing in the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity curriculum development. She earned her Ph.D. in Information Technology from Towson University and currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at... Read More →

Dr. Litany Lineberry

Instructor of Information Systems Technology, Hinds Community College-Utica Campus

Dr. Litany Hope Lineberry is an Instructor of Information Systems Technology at Hinds Community College Utica Campus, where she teaches courses in programming and software engineering. She holds a Ph.D. in Engineering with a concentration in Engineering Education and both M.S. and... Read More →

Thursday June 25, 2026 9:40am - 10:25am CDT
BLDG T Fogelson Theater

Foundations of Interdisciplinary Cybersecurity, Panel

CyAD 2026: Cybersecurity Across Disciplines Summit