Adelphi, Md. (March 6, 2024)—Loyce Best Pailen, senior director of the Center for Security Studies at University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC), has been appointed and commissioned by Maryland Gov. Wes Moore to serve on the board of directors for the Cyber Maryland Program.
“Serving on the Cyber Maryland board is a tremendous honor and opportunity to play a vital role training the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.” said Pailen. “I am particularly excited to bridge the skills gap in cybersecurity through early awareness, education and certification opportunities.”
The board appointments were announced in January by the Maryland Technology Development Corp. (TEDCO), an independent entity established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998 to facilitate the creation of businesses and support their growth throughout the state.
The Cyber Maryland Program was launched by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2023 legislative session to develop and implement a strategy to address cybersecurity-related workforce vacancies in the state. The program is managed by an 18-member board of directors, each with backgrounds in information technology and cybersecurity. It held its first public meeting on March 4.
As a board member, Pailen will advise the Cyber Maryland Program on the creation of a statewide strategy to reduce workforce vacancies in cybersecurity and ensure that workforce training aligns with industry demand.
Pailen becomes the board’s four-year public institution representative, joining members representing the private sector, nonprofits, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and community colleges.
Pailen has more than 35 years of experience in IT, computer science, cybersecurity, software development, project management, telecommunications, risk management, and network and systems security and administration. As the senior director for the Center for Security Studies at UMGC, she oversees its NSA/DHS/NCAE activities as well as several grants.
In the education arena, she has experience in teaching, curriculum development, instructional design, cyber lab development, and as a subject matter expert. She is also the author of a fun and enlightening series of children’s books regarding cybersecurity, use of emerging technology, and safety in the digital environment.
About University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 75 years ago specifically to serve the higher education needs of working adults and military servicemembers. Today, UMGC is the largest provider of postsecondary education in Maryland and continues its global tradition with online and hybrid courses, more than 175 classroom and service locations worldwide, and more than 135 degrees and certificates backed by the reputation of a state university and the University System of Maryland. For more information, visit umgc.edu.
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