University of Advancing Technology (UAT) recognizes the deficit of skilled workers entering STEM careers and is proud to announce a partnership to kick off this fall with East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT), a local technology institute for high school students.

The EVIT partnership will offer a new High School Cyber Security Program under the guidance of UAT Cyber Security Program Champion, Dr. Greg Miles, who will provide the curriculum and support in the training of EVIT Faculty. EVIT students who successfully complete the High School Cyber Security Program will earn 12 college credits toward UAT’s Network Security program.

UAT is serious about making a difference in Arizona and recently have made an impact in the community by hosting STEM workshops for local Boy and Girl Scout groups, Startup AZ Code Day as well as the Chief Science Officer (CSO) training sessions and now in offering the new EVIT partnership to high school students interested in Cyber Security.

“There’s a huge gap of students enrolled in STEM classes in the K-12 age group at the national level. The sooner these students are exposed to technology, the more likely they are to continue learning and engaging with tech-related clubs, activities, classes and careers. Events and partnerships like this inspire young students to see themselves working in tech fields well into the future” said UAT President Jason Pistillo.

President Pistillo is also a recipient of EVIT’s biggest community honor, the Sam and Olga Bender Award, for UAT’s contribution and support of EVIT over the last decade.

UAT Provost Dr. David Bolman said, “With a cyber curriculum that launched in the 1990’s, UAT was the nation’s first accredited higher education institution to offer information and network security degree programs. The thousands of graduates from UAT’s cyber programs provide leadership and shape how information and transactions are secured within every sector of the U.S.”

UAT is an advocate in STEM, making this collaboration a perfect partnership opportunity in the Phoenix community.

Encouraging youngsters to explore STEM skills and careers is critical to the development of our workforce.