Hocking College recently became one of 35 secondary schools to be awarded a Choose Ohio First grant worth $65,600.
The award will help encourage student recruitment, provide direct financial support to students in the college’s Website and Application Development and Cybersecurity and Network Systems programs, and improve the capacity for workforce development opportunities in the surrounding area.
“I'm proud of the work that the team put in to the COF grant application,” Tasha Penwell, Computer Sciences program manager for Hocking College, said.
“The scholarship recipients will also receive access to resources and opportunities that are part of the Choose Ohio First program,” Penwell added. “We're looking forward to how this grant will create opportunities for learning and growth as we provide students an education for a career path that is growing and in-demand.”
The Choose Ohio First scholarship program – which began in 2008 – aims to increase the number of students who reside in Ohio to enroll in specific areas of study at public and independent colleges and universities in the Buckeye state. While Hocking College’s grant only applies to computer science, grants to other schools include area of study in:
- Science
- Technology
- Engineering
- Math
- Medicine programs
Where can students study computer science locally?
Local students who want to study computer science can enroll in either Hocking College’s Cybersecurity and Network Systems program or Website and Application Development program.
More about Cybersecurity and Network Systems Program
Hocking College’s Cybersecurity and Network Systems program provides students with the real-world work experience they’ll need to find employment securing data systems for commercial businesses, banks, schools and government agencies.
The hands-on curriculum is designed to teach students how to react to cyberattacks and how to prevent hackers from stealing data and creating havoc within network systems.
Hocking College’s smaller class sizes 
provide students with the one-on-one time with their instructors they’ll need to become proficient in both operating systems and networking technologies.
Students also have opportunities to obtain additional certifications courtesy of Hocking College’s partnership with the Cisco Networking Academy.
Students who pursue an Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity and Network Systems Technology degree at Hocking College obtain the following skills:
- How to analyze problems and develop logical solutions to resolve them.
- How to design, implement, maintain and troubleshoot a small business network.
- How to document network architecture, hardware and software.
- How to install and configure PC-based security software.
- How to configure and implement firewalls to protect network infrastructures.
More about Website and Application Development Program
Hocking College’s Website and Application Development program prepares students for entry-level website or application developer positions while offering them real-world job experience courtesy of community partnerships.
The hands-on curriculum is designed to help students gain experience using Java, JavaScript and HTML code. In addition, some the essential transferable skills they develop include:
- Critical thinking skills.
- Entrepreneurial skills.
- Interpersonal communication skills.
- Diversity appreciation skills.
- Research skills.
- Problem-solving skills.
Hocking College’s Associate of Applied Science in Website and Application Development degree program also provides students the academic foundation they’ll need to successfully pursue a bachelor’s degree in web development.
Some of the core outcomes graduates can expect from this program are:
- How to analyze problems.
- How to identify client goals/tasks/challenges.
- How to implement the development cycle.
- How to construct, modify, implement, query and maintain effective databases.
- How to develop and use code.
For more information about the Website and Application Development program contact Computer Science Program Manager Tasha Penwell by email at penwellt31810@hocking.edu or by phone at 740-753-7181.
For more information about the Cybersecurity and Network Systems program please contact program Manager Mark Riley by email at rileym24177@hocking.edu or by phone at 740-753-7209.
