Metro State University recently took its mission in cybersecurity education to the nation’s capital, where university cyber leadership met with federal lawmakers and Department of Defense (DoD) officials to spotlight Minnesota’s growing role in national cyber defense and workforce development.
Dr. Faisal Kaleem, professor of cybersecurity at Metro State University, met with Congresswoman Betty McCollum and Congressman Brad Finstad to discuss the university’s contributions as a National Center of Academic Excellence (NCAE) in Cyber Defense and Cyber Operations, and its active role in the CAE in Cybersecurity Community.
Participating in the meeting were:
- Mr. Mark Gorak, director of the DoD’s Cyber Academic Engagement Office (CAEO) and principal director for Resources and Analysis in the Office of the Chief Information Officer
- Dr. Diba Hadi, principal director of the CAEO
- Mr. Bill Harper, chair of the Minnesota National Security Ecosystem (MN-NS-ECO)—a statewide initiative connecting academia, government, and industry to address critical national security workforce needs
The discussion centered on the growing national cyber talent gap and the strategic role that Minnesota—through institutions like Metro State—is playing in addressing it.
Mr. Gorak emphasized the urgent need for increased resources and congressional support for the CAEO, noting that without sustained investment, the nation’s ability to educate, train, and prepare cyber defenders—especially through the NCAE network—will not keep pace with the rising threat landscape.
He also highlighted the importance of agile, skills-based education models that can adapt quickly to changes in cyber technologies and adversary tactics. These models, he argued, are essential to preparing a workforce capable of protecting national interests in an increasingly dynamic and hostile digital environment.
Both Congresswoman McCollum, ranking member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, and Congressman Finstad, a member of the Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, voiced strong bipartisan support for the mission. They pledged to advocate for the resources, policies, and partnerships needed to ensure that the DoD CAEO and the broader CAE network can continue to thrive.
“Their unified message was clear: investing in cybersecurity education is investing in America’s long-term security,” said Dr. Kaleem. “I’m proud that Metro State was able to help connect our congressional leaders with the DoD, and reinforce the essential link between education, national security, and workforce development.”
This Capitol Hill engagement reflects Metro State’s deep commitment to serving as a national leader in cybersecurity education, and as a key partner in strengthening the U.S. cyber workforce pipeline.