CCC&TI Cybersecurity Program Earns National Center of Excellence Designation; New Director John Early Takes the Lead
https://wataugaonline.com/cccti-cybersecurity-center-of-excellence-nsa-dhs-john-early-director/
Publish Date: 2026-06-28 11:07:00
Source Domain: wataugaonline.com
Last Updated on June 28, 2026 11:07 am
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute’s Information Technology — Cybersecurity program has earned designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) from the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Dr. Brian Morris, Dean of Business, Technology and Engineering programs accepted the certification on behalf of the college at a special ceremony during the annual CAE in Cybersecurity Community Symposium.
Earning the Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) designation requires a lengthy application process and rigorous program standards to ensure that students receive a quality education informed by the latest national standards and that graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to be successful in the field of cyber defense.
New Director: John Early
In addition to earning this prestigious national designation, CCC&TI’s Information Technology program also has a new director at the helm, Mr. John Early. Early is a native of Western North Carolina and brings more than two decades of experience in information technology, curriculum development and teaching to the role.
Early earned both his Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science and a Master’s Degree in Technology Systems with a focus in information security from East Carolina University. In addition to his degrees, Early has a wealth of experience in a variety of information technology functions including overseeing operations, cybersecurity, compliance, and strategic planning across a multi-county region. His experience in the field includes hands-on technical roles in systems administration and programming, as well as leadership positions in infrastructure, security, and data initiatives.
Early has also spent more than a decade teaching and developing curriculum in cybersecurity, networking, and data analytics, leading bootcamps and workforce training…
