FSU Computer Science Team Visits US Cyber Command and National Security Agency
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – A team of computer science researchers from Fayetteville State University (FSU) recently completed a prestigious visit to the US Cyber Command and the National Security Agency (NSA) facilities at Fort Meade, Maryland, following their selection as top 10 finalists in a national academic competition.
Dr. Sambit Bhattacharya, Professor of Computer Science and Director of the Intelligent Systems Laboratory (ISL), led a group of five Computer Science and Data Science students who are also ISL researchers on the June 25-26 visit: Paul Rodriguez, Miriam Delgado, Jesse Claiborne, Joshua Lockart, and Bryce Herring.
The invitation to Fort Meade followed the FSU team's research abstract being accepted among the top 10 finalists in a competition held among universities that are members of the Command's Academic Engagement Network (AEN). This recognition builds on FSU's growing partnership with the US Cyber Command, which began earlier this year when General Timothy D. Haugh, then Commander of the US Cyber Command and Director of the NSA, visited FSU in January to present the university with the AEN award.
During the two-day visit, the FSU delegation participated in an intensive program that included:
Day One Activities:
- Tour of the National Security Operations Center (NSOC)
- Roundtable discussions on Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity with NSA and US Cyber Command researchers
- Information sessions on fellowship and internship programs
- Visit to the National Cryptologic Museum
Day Two Activities:
- NSA and US Cyber Command mission overviews
- Office of Academic Engagement (OAE) overview
- Research presentation by Dr. Bhattacharya and the student team
The highlight of the visit was the research presentation delivered by the FSU team to attendees from both the US Cyber Command and the NSA. The presentation showcased the team's past research performance and introduced a new research concept focused on applying Artificial Intelligence to the defense of Critical Infrastructure.
"This visit represents a significant milestone for our programs and demonstrates the caliber of research being conducted at FSU," said Dr. Bhattacharya. "Our students had the opportunity to engage directly with leading cybersecurity professionals and researchers, gaining invaluable insights into national security challenges and potential career pathways. The students demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise during their presentations," noted Dr. Bhattacharya. "The positive response from the cybersecurity professionals validates the quality of research being conducted in our Intelligent Systems Laboratory."
Dr. Monica Leach, Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs added, “We are incredibly proud of Dr. Bhattacharya and our talented students for earning this prestigious recognition from the US Cyber Command and the NSA. Their exceptional work underscores Fayetteville State University’s commitment to promoting innovative research and preparing students to become leaders in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Experiences like this not only strengthen our national security partnerships but also reflect the university’s dedication to creating impactful opportunities that empower our students professionally and academically.”
The visit has opened doors for expanded collaboration between FSU and the nation's premier cybersecurity organizations. As a direct result of the engagement, Dr. Bhattacharya will attend the upcoming faculty workshop at the Georgia Cyber Center in Augusta, Georgia, on July 28-29, further strengthening FSU's involvement in national cybersecurity initiatives.
This achievement underscores FSU's commitment to excellence in education and research, particularly in the critical areas of Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence. The university's participation in the Academic Engagement Network positions FSU students for enhanced opportunities in national security careers and advanced research collaborations.