Rose State Opens Tanenbaum Aerospace And Cybersecurity Center Published April 12, 2024

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony held in Midwest City with Gov. Stitt, Congressman Cole and other VIP guests 

Rose State College proudly announces the official opening of the Tanenbaum Aerospace and Cybersecurity Center, a beacon of innovation and education poised to shape the future of aerospace and cybersecurity education. A grand opening and ribbon cutting event took place on March 28, 2024, featuring distinguished guests such as Rose State President Dr. Jeanie Webb, Dick and Glenna Tanenbaum, Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Allison Garrett. 

The Tanenbaum Aerospace and Cybersecurity Center has its roots in a vision to support the workforce needs of the aerospace and cybersecurity industries. In 2019, Rose State College secured initial funding from the US Department of Commerce with an $880,000 grant earmarked for constructing a cybersecurity center. This vision was further enhanced by a generous donation of $1.3 million from Dick and Glenna Tanenbaum, which facilitated the inclusion of essential program equipment and furnishings in the newly renovated space.

"Aerospace and cybersecurity are pivotal sectors driving Oklahoma's economy forward," stated Dick Tanenbaum, Principal Owner and CEO of Gardner Tanenbaum. "The Tanenbaum Center represents our dedication to nurturing talent and fostering innovation, ensuring our state’s leading industries have access to a qualified workforce pipeline."

With more than 700,000 open roles in cybersecurity as of Fall 2023 and projections showing a 35% growth in information security analyst jobs by 2031, the need for qualified individuals in this field is evident. Oklahoma's higher education system has produced an average of 840 graduates in cyber and cyber-adjacent fields between 2015 and 2019, while the Oklahoma Department of Commerce forecasts nearly 2,000 new cyber jobs yearly over the next five years. Additionally, Tinker Air Force Base (TAFB) expects a substantial increase of almost 10,000 jobs in cybersecurity-related positions over the same period.

To address this demand and provide hands-on learning opportunities, the newly remodeled facilities at the Tanenbaum Aerospace and Cybersecurity Center boast state-of-the-art features, such as a dedicated lab with 45 workstations and flexible configurations to accommodate up to 80 students simultaneously. This setup, complemented by a Cyber Lounge, instructor offices, tutoring center, conference room and multiple classrooms, offers a comprehensive environment for students to develop their skills in cybersecurity both in-person and remotely.

"In establishing the Tanenbaum Aerospace and Cybersecurity Center, we are taking significant strides towards meeting the growing demand for skilled professionals in these critical industries," Dr. Webb said. "This initiative builds upon our ongoing efforts, such as the Center of Workforce Excellence, to foster collaboration between educational institutions, industry partners and local communities."

The Tanenbaum Aerospace and Cybersecurity Center's inaugural event will be the CMMC Training Event on April 17-18, 2024. In collaboration with the Small Business Development Center and Guernsey, the event aims to address Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance for Department of Defense (DoD) contractors and subcontractors. This two-day event will feature workshops, sessions and networking opportunities, catering to businesses of all sizes and levels of CMMC knowledge. Interested parties can register at https://workforcece.rose.edu/rose/course/course.aspx?C=250&pc=6&mc=0&sc=0.

Rose State College is also the only two-year college to soon provide a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Cybersecurity degree, pending approval by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). This program will equip students with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity. 

For more information about Rose State College and the new Tanenbaum Aerospace and Cybersecurity Center, visit https://www.rose.edu/.