On September 16, 2025, Metro State proudly welcomed Dr. Peggy Williams, senior scientist in the Strategic Microelectronics Division at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane, and project lead for the SCALE (Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement) program. SCALE, led by Purdue University, is the nation’s premier defense microelectronics workforce development initiative, funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering for Trusted and Assured Microelectronics (T&AM).
Metro State represents Minnesota in this national consortium alongside the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas. The partnership underscores the university’s commitment to strengthening both regional and national capacity in microelectronics and cybersecurity education.
During Dr. Williams’ visit, Metro State highlighted its Year 1 SCALE accomplishments, which include:
- Developing new courses in Microelectronics Supply Chain Security and Hardware Assurance
- Launching research initiatives focused on trusted microelectronics
- Engaging students across multiple disciplines in emerging defense-related technologies
Looking forward, Metro State shared plans to:
- Advance research in Zero-Trust FPGA architectures
- Establish a Hardware Assurance Lab, providing hands-on experience with side-channel analysis, fault injection, firmware reverse engineering, and secure boot validation
“As an NSA-designated National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and Cyber Operations, Metro State is uniquely positioned to integrate cybersecurity and microelectronics to shape the future of trusted technologies,” said Faisal Kaleem, director and professor of Cyber Programs at Metro State University. “By uniting cutting-edge research with hands-on student learning, we are not only driving innovation in secure and resilient systems but also building the workforce that will safeguard our nation’s most critical technologies. This work ensures that Metro State students are prepared to take on leadership roles in protecting national security and advancing trusted microelectronics for the future.”
Metro State thanks Mona Vakilifathi and Sena Hounsinou for coordinating this important visit.