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Economic Assessment National Center South Regional Hub

The University of West Florida Center for Cybersecurity and AI (UWF CCAI) serves as the South Regional Hub for the Economic Assessment National Center (EANC), a $1.5 million national initiative supported through the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program within the National Security Agency (NSA).

Co-branded logo banner featuring the DoW Cyber Academic Engagement Office, UWF Center for Cybersecurity & AI, and National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity

About the EANC Program & Mission

Across the United States, hundreds of colleges and universities prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals—AI-enabled cyber defenders, analysts, researchers, and technology leaders. The Economic Assessment National Center (EANC) was established to measure the collective workforce, economic, and mission impact of these efforts across National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) institutions.

Key Mission Objectives
  • Standardized Performance Measurement: Develop a shared approach to measuring workforce outcomes, economic contributions, and return on investment (ROI).
  • Return on Mission (ROM): Explore how cybersecurity education contributes to workforce readiness, institutional capacity, and broader national security priorities.
  • Streamlined Reporting: Minimize reporting burdens on institutions by making better use of existing data and establishing consistent national measurement metrics.
  • Data Dashboards & Transparency: Provide transparent national reporting and interactive data tools for institutions, regional partners, and federal stakeholders.
Participating Institutions
  • National Lead: Coastline College, Garden Grove, California, led by Tobi West
  • West Hub: University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado, led by Gretchen Bliss
  • Midwest Hub: Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, Minnesota, led by Faisal Kaleem
  • Northeast Hub: University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, led by Sanjay Goel
  • Mid-Atlantic Hub: Kean University, Union, New Jersey, led Stanley Mierzwa
  • Southeast Hub: George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, led by Massimiliano Albanese
  • South Hub: University of West Florida, Pensacola, Florida, led by Eman El-Sheikh

These Regional Hubs will connect with CAE-designated institutions throughout their geographic areas, facilitate collaboration, gather regional perspectives, and support the development of a consistent national measurement framework.

 

UWF Leadership & Regional Impact

As the lead for the EANC South Regional Hub, the UWF Center for Cybersecurity and AIa brings extensive leadership and expertise in cybersecurity education and workforce development:

  • National Program Leadership: UWF leads the National Cybersecurity Workforce Development Program, a national initiative focused on strengthening the cybersecurity workforce through education, training, and industry partnerships.
  • Proven Track Record: UWF previously served as the Southeast CAE Regional Hub from 2017 to 2022.
  • Community & CAE Support: UWF hosts quarterly meetings to strengthen regional impact, build collaboration among CAE institutions, and hold designation ceremonies celebrating CAE institutions.

“We are honored to lead the EANC South Regional Hub and collaborate with CAE institutions across the region. This initiative will help us better measure, communicate, and amplify the collective impact of cybersecurity education on workforce readiness, economic growth, and national security.”

— Dr. Eman El-Sheikh, Lead for EANC South Hub & Associate VP, UWF Center for Cybersecurity and AI