Florida's MBA programs: Mastering the cyber industry

Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida's MBA programs: Mastering the cyber industry

In the global cybersecurity wars there are no borders, no battlefield front lines, no rules of engagement and there is no immunity from attacks. Hackers’ free range of prey includes major corporations, governments large and small, hospitals, individuals and even non-profits. Ransomware attacks in 2023 increased by 50% over the previous year, according to the latest reports from the FBI and the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Not surprisingly, the demand for highly trained cybersecurity professionals in the U.S. is enormous and growing apace. [Source: Florida Trend]

Florida tops nation in teacher vacancies

All across the nation, school districts face teacher shortages. Low pay is a critical factor in why educators are not staying on the job. The subject area needs vary across the states. But one thing seems clear. Florida has the largest number of vacancies, and one of the lowest levels of teachers per 1,000 students. More from the Tampa Bay Times and USA Today.

See also:
» Pay, hours, and politics: reasons behind Florida’s teacher shortage
» Legislature fails to pass a bill aimed at raising minimum teacher salaries and encourage them to remain in the profession

Florida College Access Network looks to expand dual enrollment chances for underrepresented students

Community college enrollment rates have dipped 25% nationwide since 2011. That’s according to a new report released by the Florida College Access Network (FCAN). The network is making a case to expand dual enrollment classes to all eligible middle and high schools statewide. This lets students take college-level courses — sometimes for credit — while they’re still in middle or high school. [Source: WUSF]

Stuck in licensing limbo, Florida nursing students want answers. They're not getting them

The careers of hundreds of aspiring nurses, have been put on indefinite hold over a standoff between Florida, where they trained, and New York, which administered the online tests but has refused to issue licenses because of questions about the checkered records and accreditation of some for-profit nursing schools in South Florida. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida Lottery transferred $2.45B to K-12 education in 2023

The Florida Lottery has become a crucial part of funding for education in the Sunshine State, and according to a recent report from the Florida Auditor General, it continues to grow each year. In late January, the AG released the financial audit of the Florida Lottery, whose mission is to maximize financial revenue for the benefit of education "in a manner consistent with the dignity of the State of Florida and the welfare of its citizens." More from The Center Square and WFTV.

See also:
» Does money from Florida Lottery really go toward education?

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› UF extends enrollment deadline in wake of federal financial aid delays [Tampa Bay Times]
The University of Florida announced Friday that students will have an extra two weeks to confirm their enrollment decision due to delays in federal financial aid information. Prospective students will now have until May 15 to accept their admissions offers, according to a university statement, instead of the prior May 1 deadline.

› Florida A&M is receiving a federal grant to build community schools in North Florida [WFSU]
Florida A&M’s Vice President for Academic Affairs Allyson Watson, Ph.D., announced Monday that the university will be receiving $9 million to build community schools for young kids in the Big Bend. The award is part of a statewide partnership called the Unlimited Potential Initiative (UPI). It’s shared between several colleges across the state including the University of Central Florida and Florida International.

› Miami Dade College enrollment booming [Miami Today]
Miami Dade College (MDC) continues to see a robust presence of students with newly launched AI and cybersecurity programs. MDC credit enrollment numbers are up 6.5% and headcount is up 8.5% compared to spring term 2023, said Madeline Pumariega, MDC’s president. During fall term 2023, MDC was already experiencing about a 7.2% rise in credit enrollment and a 6% increase in headcount compared with fall 2022.

› USF will remain diverse despite new Florida laws, university leaders say [Tampa bay Times]
Top leaders at the University of South Florida say the school will continue to be a diverse institution despite a new state law that prohibits public colleges and universities from spending on diversity programs. “We have our north star,” USF president Rhea Law told the university’s board of trustees at their meeting on Monday. “We have our mission and we have our values, and we have not changed those."

Tags: Education eNews

Previous Education Updates:

• FHSAA to potentially sanction esports in Florida schools
• College crime surging back to pre-COVID levels. Here's the crime at Florida colleges, universities
• Florida student aid requests plunge. How many will delay or skip college?
• Florida schools have a teacher shortage. Why are they cutting jobs?
• Florida schools need more nurses. Can they compete with employers who pay more?
• Florida settles lawsuit over LGBT education bill
• $117.5 billion state budget pumps up education spending
• Florida lawmakers continue debate over school red tape, education spending and more