Cybersecurity Nexus Program transforming lives, Columbus workforce

February 10, 2026

In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the search for qualified cybersecurity professionals
is intense. However, Columbus State University’s Cybersecurity Nexus Program is doing
more than just filling job openings; it is dramatically changing students’ lives and
shaping the region’s economic future.

Through a unique blend of rigorous academics, hands-on training and deep industry
integration, the program has become a beacon for students ranging from recent high
school graduates to single parents seeking a second career—or a second chance.

For many students like Jeff Griffin, the program marks a turning point from “just getting by” to finding a true calling.
The 36-year-old single father describes his experience attending classes during the
day and bartending at night as “long and arduous,” but ultimately life-changing.

“The program gave me far more than an education—it gave me the life of my dreams,”
Griffin said of the confidence it gave him to quit his full-time sales job, enroll
in the program, and pursue the career he has now as an insider threat investigator
at Global Payments. “I am proud to look my son in the eye and say, ‘Look what hard
work and dedication can achieve.’”

Griffin’s story isn’t unique. Joe Collins (pictured), a father of four, was initially skeptical about returning to college at
28—mainly because of worries about the return on his time and monetary investment.
A year later, however, he credits the Cyber Nexus program with allowing him to “completely
revolutionize” his career.

“When I first heard about the nexus program, it only took me minutes of quick study
to realize its potential,” Collins said. “I couldn’t find any other credible university
or program that offered not only courses for industry-standard certifications but
also the hands-on training and real-world skills in a collaborative environment to
make me immediately ready for a job in cybersecurity.”

He’s gone from work that “seemed to have little meaning to him” to interning at Global
Payments and defending a Fortune 500 company and its millions of customers from online
criminal actors.

“When I stop an attacker from [attempting to steal] data from my company, I am also
stopping that attacker from stealing data from real people with real lives—like an
aunt, uncle, grandparent, son or daughter,” he said.

Shalia Ramsay (pictured) discovered her niche in cybersecurity by combining her undergraduate studies
in criminal justice, her prior experience in corporate and corrections security, and
the investigative skills she developed from both.

“I went from babysitting bad guys as a correctional officer to protecting computer
networks against online bad guys as an insider threat analyst,” she said. “I was drawn
to the Cyber Nexus program because of its accelerated pace and after sitting in on
an informational session hosted by the faculty.”

The program has grown more than fourfold since it began in Fall 2020. Cohorts are
capped at 20 and 60 students, depending on the semester. As a result, students receive
personalized attention from their instructors, with faculty-student ratios ranging
from 1:15 to 1:20.

The typical Cybersecurity Nexus student may have little or no prior college experience,
but up to 20% do hold a bachelor’s degree in technical and non-technical fields. Most
students are in their late 20s or older, with some stretching into their 60s. Nearly
20% of Cyber Nexus students have military backgrounds, including retirees and veterans
looking for a new career, as well as active-duty soldiers aiming to enhance their
technical skills.

Rapid employability, marketability

A common theme among Cybersecurity Nexus graduates is the program’s ability to quickly
prepare them for the workforce. The program is designed to provide real-world skills
that make students immediately career-ready for cybersecurity roles. The immersive
program meets every weekday with fast-paced, morning-long classes in its world-class
TSYS Center for Cybersecurity.

“Students learn from experienced instructors, training through live-fire exercises
and cyber competitions, and often interact with industry leaders from a variety of
tech-focused and Fortune 500 companies,” explained Christopher Lovelock, a Cyber Nexus instructor and two-time Columbus State graduate. “During the 12-month
program, they earn up to five embedded and stackable industry certifications and graduate
with a one-year Cybersecurity Practitioner certificate. With prior education—even high school dual enrollment credit or past studies in
subjects outside technology—students can usually earn a Nexus degree after the initial
12-month program.”

This pipeline has proven successful for graduates like Jett Robinson (pictured). A Nexus program internship led her to Global Payments, where she later
joined its global security operations center as a full-time employee. She is now a
security systems administrator at Aflac.

“Because of the program, I made connections I never thought I’d have,” added Robinson,
who completed the program in December 2024. “If someone told me a year ago that I’d
be in a full-time cybersecurity role with this level of experience and confidence,
I honestly wouldn’t have believed it.”

“When I first joined the Cybersecurity Nexus Program, I was seeking a stable career
that would not only provide financial security but also bring personal fulfillment,”
added Gabrielle Holmes-Hodge (pictured), who interned and, after completing the program in December 2024, worked
at Global Payments. “What I found was far more than I anticipated…. [It] expanded
my professional network with supportive and inspiring professionals and peers and
instilled in me the courage to pursue a meaningful role in the ever-evolving field
of cybersecurity.”

With the ink barely dry on his high school diploma and working in a grocery store
deli, Brayden Cavanaugh started the Cyber Nexus program in August 2024 and finished his studies the following
July.

“When I graduated high school, I found myself uncertain about the path ahead. I was
determined to find a meaningful direction but unsure where to start,” Cavanaugh explained.
“The Nexus Program became that starting point. Before enrolling, I was a quiet, non-technical
individual simply trying to discover where I belonged…. [The Nexus Program] did more
than prepare me academically; it helped me grow as a person.”

At 21, Cavanaugh (pictured) now works as a help desk technician for Columbus-based
MD Solutions, supporting and maintaining business networks while troubleshooting hardware,
software and connectivity issues for its clients. In this role, he provides technical
support to users, assists with system configurations, and resolves day-to-day issues
to ensure reliable and secure IT operations.

He’s also returned to the classroom to earn a bachelor’s in management information systems at Columbus State. He expects adding an undergraduate MIS degree to his Cyber Nexus
studies will provide him with “a strong foundation in both technology and business,
enabling me to understand better how information systems support organizational operations,
decision-making and security.”

“Generally, most of our Cyber Nexus students can roll all 10 of their Nexus credits
from the one-year certificate program into a cybersecurity or computer science bachelor’s
degree,” said Elke Brumbaugh, a lecturer in the Nexus program and a three-time Columbus State alumna. “That is
a tremendous boost—up to 30 hours, or two semesters—toward completing that degree.”

Beyond technical skills: confidence, community

While technical skills are essential, the Cyber Nexus program also emphasizes soft
workplace skills and personal development.

Ramsay, who started the program in her late 20s, valued it for providing her with
a strong technical foundation, even though she had no prior experience in information
technology.

“While my current job is technical, some of my most valued takeaways from the Cyber
Nexus program aren’t,” she added. “The hands-on experience I gained has been helpful
to my career, but so has developing my professional networking skills, collaborating
within teams and learning how to help my teammates shine.”

“Before [studying in the Cyber Nexus Program], I struggled with public speaking and
social interaction. [The program] challenged me to develop confidence when presenting
in front of others and to engage with professionals in the field,” Cavanaugh explained.
“The program’s emphasis on networking and collaboration transformed my social and
professional life.”

Holmes-Hodge—who left a job in foodservice for the program and is now an information
security administrator at Columbus State—credits the mentorship and community support
she received with empowering her to pursue a meaningful professional role.

“Beyond technical competencies, the program empowered me to see myself as someone
capable of taking on challenges head-on and mentoring others along the way. It truly
changed the trajectory of my career and life,” she said.

Like Holmes-Hodge, Griffin values the sense of community he found within his cohort:
“experience forged in the crucible of learning together,” as he described it.

“…[N]early all of my classmates in my cohort are a second family to me,” Griffin (pictured)
said. “Even though it has been nearly six months since we graduated, I continue to
talk to my classmates daily to encourage and wish each other well.”

The impact of the Nexus program stretches beyond the university campus, establishing
Columbus as a burgeoning technology and cybersecurity hub—and Columbus State as a
source of skilled cyber talent. With major companies such as ABM, Aflac, Global Payments,
Synovus, Trolleye and possibly FIS based in Columbus or expanding their presence in
the area, the need for highly trained talent becomes even more critical.

In fact, Cyber Nexus instructor and two-time Columbus State graduate Armando Fernandez noted as many as 85% of students in each cohort receive an internship or job offer
within one month of graduation—if not sooner.

“Hiring managers scout cybersecurity talent through two mock interview events a year,
during which as many as 45 industry professionals come to campus to interview students
and provide feedback,” Fernandez explained. “In between, industry leaders meet with
students through monthly small-group and one-on-one mentoring, as well as through
meetings of the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA) chapter, which we
frequently host in our cyber range.”

From offering options for career upskilling and pivots to ensuring a tech workforce
pipeline skilled in protecting sensitive networks, the Cybersecurity Nexus Program
is fulfilling its promise. As Griffin summarized, he is “the walking embodiment of
the Nexus spirit: if you work hard and dedicate yourself, greatness can be yours.”

For more information about the program, visit the Cybersecurity Nexus website or follow the Cybersecurity Nexus Program on LinkedIn for details on upcoming information sessions, program updates and news about its
graduates.

Media contact: Michael Tullier, APR, Executive Director of Strategic Communication + Marketing,
706.507.8729, [email protected]