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Salve Regina is launching an interdisciplinary concentration in cyber resiliency that will give students enrolled in any undergraduate major the opportunity to gain proficiency in the fundamentals of a cyber education – a skill set experts say can be readily applied into whatever career paths they pursue.

One of the only Rhode Island institutions to enmesh cyber education throughout the undergraduate curriculum, Salve Regina’s new concentration reflects a more diverse and holistic approach to the study of cyber.

“Recognizing the importance of societal cyber resilience, Salve Regina has made investments at the undergraduate level to provide all students – not just those who seek future careers in cybersecurity – a baseline education in cyber awareness,” said David Smith, lecturer and chairman of the Department of Administration of Justice. “This interdisciplinary program gives students an opportunity to engage with cyber security through the lens of mathematics, law, justice, philosophy, business, politics, religion and education – among many other fields. We believe this provides students a holistic and well-rounded education that serves them well when entering the workforce.”

Beginning in January 2018, students from all majors can take courses that blend technical, theoretical, philosophical, strategic and policy-based concepts into cutting-edge cybersecurity training. The 15-credit concentration includes three required courses in ADJ (Computer Crime, Information Essentials and Principles of Forensics) and two electives from course offerings in biology (Bioinformatics), management (Cybercrime in Business), religious and theological studies (Technology, Genetics, God and the Future of Humanity), and applied technology (Advanced Information Systems). The offerings include coursework designed to prepare students to undertake various cybersecurity certification examinations, such as the CompTIA Security+ and Network+ exams.

A prerequisite in computational mathematics, Introduction to Programming in Python, will teach students fundamental concepts of computer programming using the Python language, as well as introduce them to the computational way of thinking. “This is important because computer programs are the delivery vehicles for cyber attacks,” said Ernest Rothman, professor and chairman of the Department of Mathematical Sciences. “The field of cybersecurity represents a great opportunity for math majors, especially those who don’t go into education, because most of them will wind up doing a great deal of computer programming in their careers.”

The need for cybersecurity education at the undergraduate level extends beyond the cybersecurity workforce, says Brandon Catalan, lecturer in the Department of Administration of Justice. Indeed, current and future economic and societal success requires every individual to have an adequate level of cyber awareness. A holistic undergraduate education should include cybersecurity as part of that education.

“With Salve dedicating a space (the digital forensics lab) and hiring more faculty, making more investments in hardware and software, it’s not just our cyber students that are going to benefit,” Catalan said. “We have some of our business students that are now taking cyber classes, we have theology faculty that are interested in cyber classes as well. A space like this, equipment like this is not just going to benefit the cyber program, the ADJ program, but all of our students as a whole. Eventually, cyber is going to be a piece of every program.”

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All offices, departments, clubs, teams, residence halls, classes and organizations, along with students who want to form a team of their own, are invited to participate in the Office of Community Service’s annual Thanksgiving “feed a family” food drive. The goal is to feed 100 families in 2017.

Register for the food drive.

Suggested non-perishable items include:

• Stuffing mix
• Gravy
• Cranberry sauce
• Instant potatoes
• Pasta/rice
• Canned juices, soups, meats, fruits and vegetables
• Evaporated milk
• Pudding/Jell-O
• Frosting
• Macaroni and cheese
• Peanut butter and jelly
• Muffin/cake mixes
• Hot/cold cereals
• Tomato sauces and products

The Office of Community Service will provide bags for all registered groups to fill. Each bag should contain enough items to feed a family of five. Bags should be delivered to Wakehurst, Room 201 by noon Thursday, Nov. 16.

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Now in its third year, the “Uniting Not Dividing” series continues to build awareness, with panelists discussing the minority perspective and focusing on building mutual respect among police and the communities they serve.

“Uniting Not Dividing: Exploring the Roots of the Divide Between Police and Communities” will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24 in the Bazarsky Lecture Hall. The panel discussion is one of many Multicultural Education Week events.

The discussion series began in fall 2015 with “Uniting Not Dividing: Why Black and Blue Should Not Hurt.” The conversation was further explored in fall 2016 during “Uniting Not Dividing: Finding Our Inner Voice of Reason as a Nation.” Tuesday’s discussion will end with a policy analysis to help determine solutions or actions to progress as a society.

Rosa Brito ’18 will moderate the discussion. Confirmed panelists include:

Toyosi Akanji ’19, a chemistry major at Salve Regina. She is the president of the Black Student Union, the treasurer of the Multicultural Student Organization and a Nuala Pell Fellow. She is a first-generation Nigerian-American student from Cranston, Rhode Island.

Kobi Jason Dennis has extensive expertise in addressing issues pertaining to the urban community. His most recent initiative, Unified Solutions, is a community-led collaborative offering programs that have empowered thousands of community members. Dennis is involved with the Bridges Initiative to help improve police and community relations and is also the founder of Project Night Vision, a free after-school program for kids ages 12-18. He relaunched the Providence Midnight Basketball Leagues to provide an athletic outlet to inner-city adult men, and also facilitates anti-bullying and violence prevention training as a consultant with the Partnership to Address Violence through Education.

Daniel Knight is a retired FBI special agent and former director of Salve Regina’s graduate program in administration of justice. With the FBI, he was supervisory special agent of an organized crime and public corruption squad in the Baltimore division, then the public corruption unit of the criminal division at FBI headquarters. He ended his FBI career as supervisory senior resident agent at the Providence agency out of the Boston division. A longtime faculty member in administration of justice, Knight is currently teaching courses on ethics in the justice system and white-collar crime in Salve Regina’s Circle of Scholars program. He is on the board of the YMCA of Greater Providence.

Roxana Mendez-Sola is a Salvadorian immigrant and Newport resident who works as a housekeeper at Salve Regina.

Dr. Timothy B. Neary is associate professor and chairman of the Department of History and coordinator of the American studies program at Salve Regina. He teaches a variety of classes and has presented at meetings around the country. His first book, “Crossing Parish Boundaries: Race, Sports and Catholic Youth in Chicago,” was published in 2016. Neary has won multiple awards at Salve Regina, including faculty research sabbatical, collaborative project grant, faculty/student research grants, media relations award and the Presidential Faculty Award.

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Multicultural Education Week, which is designed to promote interaction among individuals from diverse backgrounds so that they may learn from each other, will be held Oct. 23-27. The week features both students and professionals sharing aspects of their cultural identity in a wide variety of formats.

Keynote Speaker: Bertice Berry

7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, Bazarsky Lecture Hall

No one defies stereotypes, generalizations or cliches more than Bertice Berry. A sociologist, author, lecturer and educator, Berry addresses difficult subjects such as racism and sexism through her lectures.

“Uniting Not Dividing” Panel Discussion

7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, Bazarsky Lecture Hall

“Uniting Not Dividing: Exploring the Roots of the Divide Between Police and Communities” will continue to enhance awareness as panelists discuss the minority perspective and focus on building mutual respect among police and the communities they serve. The evening will end with a policy analysis to help determine solutions or actions to progress as a society.

Multicultural Coffeehouse

4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, Angelus Hall, Room 102

The coffeehouse is the center of social activity in cities and towns throughout the world. Sample coffees and pastries from a variety of cultures and listen to live music and storytelling presented by Salve Regina students.

Student Showcase

7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, O’Hare Academic Building second floor

These student presentations will tackle issues of oppression by exploring social injustice, diversity and service. Learn more about empowering students, creating a positive change in the community, overcoming obstacles and more.

Documentary Screening: “An Inconvenient Sequel”

5 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, Bazarsky Lecture Hall

The riveting and rousing follow-up to “An Inconvenient Truth” shows just how close we are to a real energy revolution. Former vice president Al Gore continues his tireless fight, traveling around the world to train an army of climate champions and influence international climate change. The screening will be followed by a live webcast with Gore.

CAB Comedy: Pete Davidson

9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, Rodgers Recreation Center

Pete Davidson is in his third season on the Emmy award-winning “Saturday Night Live.” Davidson was named one of the top 10 comics to watch for 2014 by Variety magazine and made headlines as one of the featured comedians on Comedy Central’s 2015 roast of Justin Beiber. Reserve a ticket.

Fall Into Diversity

3-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, Wakehurst lawn

Join the offices of Multicultural Programs and Retention and Student Activities for a fall-themed kickoff to the Multicultural Festival. Enjoy pumpkin decorating, an inflatable corn maze, rock wall and more.

Multicultural Festival

8 p.m. to midnight Friday, Oct. 27, Ochre Court

The Multicultural Festival will feature cultural exploration and tips from student experts. View diverse garments during a fashion show, taste cuisine from every corner of the globe and see the dances that have been passed from generation to generation.

Organized by the Office of Multicultural Programs and Retention, Multicultural Education Week is co-sponsored by Alliance, Black Student Union, Campus Activities Board, Center for Student Development, Department of Music, Theatre and Dance, Female Empowerment Organization, Multicultural Student Organization, Office of Residence Life, Office of Student Activities, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Protect Our Wildlife, Salve Saves, Southern Poverty Law Center and Student Government Association.

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