Ecosystem Launched by Virginia Tech, Arlington, and NVCC Gets National Recognition

 The Northern Virginia STEM Network began in 2007 as an informal network of CTE and other STEM educators with a focus on growing our own future workforce in Northern Virginia.  Many years later in 2021 the ecosystem was integrated with the DMV (District, Maryland, Virginia) STEM Learning Ecosystem led by our long-term collaborators at Morgan State University and continued through multiple extensions of their DSEC grant.  

When that DSEC funding ended in 2024 partners were encouraged by supporters at T.I.E.S. to go big for national recognition. Accordingly, they "re-branded" as NoVaWISE (Northern Virginia Workforce Innovations through STEM Education). but were later encouraged to keep the original name.  They are  looking for highly engaged leaders in technical industries, public school leadership, after-school and out-of-school innovators, and workforce development specialists.  

Virginia Tech is supporting the design of a new website.  Until then you can still catch them at www.NoVaSTEM.net or NoVaSTEM.blogspot.com.

Contact Jim Egenrieder (JimE@vt.edu) to get involved.

Artificial Intelligence 101 from VASEM

  The Virginia Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine issued a 2025 White Paper, An Introduction to Artificial  Intelligence providing a foundation in topics such including:

• 
  the beginnings of Artificial Intelligence; 
• the emergence of Expert Systems; 
• the rapid evolution of Machine Learning;
• Deep Learning; 
• Generative AI;
• representative applications of AI;
• hallucinations and trust; 
• ethical issues;
• Artificial Intelligence vs. human intelligence, and Artificial General Intelligence; and 
• three visions for an "AI Future".

Read the paper at https://vasem.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/VASEM_AI_WhitePaper-2025.pdf

Our region is distinct from most others - Bachelor's degrees by County

See the NoVa Regional Dashboard at https://www.novaregiondashboard.com/educational-attainment for specific achievement by city or county.

Northern Virginia localities are home to some of the most highly educated residents in the nation.  This high education level of the region's citizens creates a strong, flourishing business community.  The percentage of Northern Virginia's population age 25 or more holding a bachelor's or higher degree is 61.9%, which is nearly double the United States, and holding a graduate or professional degree is 30.2%, which is more than double the United States. 

All counties in America where 40% or more have a Bachelor's degree

Source: Random Facts of the World

Virginia Tech's Innovation Campus Academic Building One

 

Virginia Tech has opened it's new cutting-edge building in the Washington, D.C. area, Academic Building One. This state-of-the-art facility in Alexandria, Virginia, is designed to shape the future of technology and innovation. With a focus on computer science and computer engineering, this campus fosters collaboration between students, faculty, and industry partners to tackle real-world challenges. From project-based learning (PBL) to groundbreaking research in AI, quantum computing, next-gen wireless, and intelligent interfaces, this is a place where tech talent thrives. Virginia Tech builds strong partnerships with leading tech companies, government agencies, and startups, ensuring students gain hands-on experience and industry connections that drive impact. Discover how Virginia Tech is shaping the future of tech talent and research in the D.C. area. Learn more: vt.edu/innovationcampus

Virginia Tech's Innovation Campus Grand Opening - February 28

 Register here: 
https://www.vt.edu/innovationcampus/centerofnext/opening.html 

Predicted Impacts of AI on Cybersecurity

 The Impacts of AI on Cybersecurity

Abraam Ibrahim, 2024 Commonwealth Cyber Initiative Intern

Introduction

In 2024, an estimated 77% of businesses were either using or were exploring the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools in their business processes (National University, 2024). The light-speed pace of AI development and adoption has massive implications across all industries and sectors. Finance experts using AI to assist in trading, doctors using AI for ultrasound measurement, and factory owners employing AI to create smart factories are just a few examples. The ever-advancing field of cybersecurity, already well-known for its rapid acceleration, is among the most impacted by this AI revolution. 

This article explores the anticipated impacts that the rise of AI could have on cybersecurity, and how AI's ability to enhance authentication, automate tasks, and improve threat detection and response is revolutionizing the field while simultaneously introducing new challenges and threats.

The Power of AI in Cybersecurity

AI can streamline and automate a wide variety of security tasks. Authentication, incident response, threat detection, intelligence, and other tasks can be significantly improved or even replaced with AI assistance. By leveraging natural language processing (NLP) and deep learning (DL) capabilities, security experts can make cyber operations more effective and efficient. Similarly, AI integration into security solutions will enhance the overall security posture of organizations by enabling faster and more informed response and defense measures, ultimately reducing the time to detect and mitigate threats.⁤ 

AI in Authentication

Authentication, the process of validating users, has always been an indispensable guard against security breaches. As the thinking goes, if malicious parties can be prevented from ever gaining access to a target (database, account, server, etc), then all damage can be mitigated preemptively. Accordingly, cyber professionals have created increasingly secure login methods to enhance security and user convenience (biometric, MFA), which have now become the industry norm. 

With the advent of AI-enabled machine learning algorithms, security professionals are now employing user behavior analytics (UBA) to detect unusual activity during a sign-in attempt. An algorithm can take various inputs, such as the typing speed, cursor movement, touch input, and biometric data (voice, fingerprints) to determine the validity of an individual request and authenticate legitimate while flagging and reporting suspicious sign-in attempts.

Cybersecurity Automation

AI’s ability to tirelessly sift through massive amounts of data has profound implications for the industry. AI will enable professionals to focus their time on the most important areas while providing cost-saving benefits due to increased efficiency.

Work before Graduate School?

I went to graduate school right after college, and I regret it. I wish I had waited and joined the workforce first.

Story by insider@insider.com (Rashi Goel)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/careersandeducation/i-went-to-graduate-school-right-after-college-and-i-regret-it-i-wish-i-had-waited-and-joined-the-workforce-first/ar-BB1qOgYs

• Right after I graduated from college, I went straight into grad school.
• I wish I had waited to go to grad school and instead followed my other interests.
• I want young people to know that they don't have to rush into getting their master's degree.

The final exams for my bachelor's degree took place in March 2005, and by June, I was enrolled in my master's program.  

The two-month break didn't feel like one, as it was a whirlwind of applications and entrance exams. I would have loved to travel, write, and contemplate my future career path, but instead, I plunged straight into further studies. After pursuing a bachelor's in business administration with a major in marketing, I felt compelled to continue studying marketing, resisting exploring other options.

I should have known an MBA was not the right choice. Reflecting on my childhood and teenage years, I realized that my academic pursuits overshadowed my growing interest in nature and the outdoors. I was passionate about environmental systems, tree-planting drives, camping, and painting nature scenes. This inclination starkly contrasted with the desk job awaiting me in the corporate world.

Had I taken some time off after college — a gap year perhaps — I would have prioritized travel, indulged in creative writing, and done an internship. Those experiences would have better prepared me for life beyond the university bubble. My MBA