September 2020
FMA committee probes biggest challenges to building CS/IT workforce
Troubled by the persistent shortage of skilled cyber security workers, the Fort Meade Alliance last year assembled a group of high-level representatives from business, government and educational organizations to identify key obstacles limiting the expansion of the cybersecurity and information technology (CS/IT) workforce and begin working towards solutions.

“I am trying to avoid overdramatizing this, but I would say we are in a crisis as a nation,” said Jim Allen, Executive Vice President of Booz Allen Hamilton. “We see media reports every day of some breach, hack or intrusion that could disrupt businesses, medical systems, financial systems, national infrastructure. I think a contributing factor to that situation is our dearth of skilled professionals to both prevent and defend against activities by malicious individuals and organizations.”
Various analysts have estimated the size of that shortage, Allen said. “The numerical estimates differ, but they are all terrible.”

Effectively addressing such a deep and complex challenge would require discussion with a broad mix of stakeholders, said Doreen Harwood, FMA President. Consequently, FMA’s Education and Workforce Committee formed a Steering Committee comprised of senior executives from government agencies and contractors, private sector companies, public school systems, workforce development agencies and institutions of higher education. Committee members were tasked with authoring a white paper that would identify the main challenges facing CS/IT education and workforce development in the Fort Meade Region.
Challenge #1: FMA committee seeks causes, solutions for lack of diversity in cyber workforce
The problem is evident at most any industry event or cybersecurity worksite. The Fort Meade Region, like the rest of America, suffers from a serious lack of diversity in its cyber workforce.

As they assessed the obstacles to growing the region’s cybersecurity/information technology (CS/IT) workforce, members of the FMA Education and Workforce Steering Committee identified “Building Diversity” as Challenge #1.

The committee’s white paper includes several data points that show the extent of that inequality. In Baltimore City, African American students fill just 9 percent of STEM classes. Across America, women still comprise only 11 percent of the cyber workforce. In Anne Arundel County Public Schools, the percentages of girls and minority students in STEM classes has grown dramatically: girls outnumber boys and minority students are 43 percent of STEM classes even though they are 33 percent of the overall student body. Yet among girls, minority students and low-income students studying STEM, most won’t pursue STEM education or employment after high school unless they have a family member or friend working in the field.
Leading the Charge of STEMOVATION in Anne Arundel County
Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS) has partnered with the Fort Meade Alliance (FMA) and Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) to develop a new program that will allow high school students to take existing projects to the next level. 

The new program, called STEMOVATION, gives select juniors at three local high schools who are enrolled in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) and Bio-Medical Allied Health (BMAH) programs the opportunity to earn additional funding and mentorship for their Community Challenge project. As part of the Community Challenge, students work in pairs or teams to solve a challenge provided by a community mentor.
Moving into senior year, these students go on to complete a Capstone Project, which sometimes serves as an extension of their Community Challenge.
 
Both experiences are meant to showcase student talent and what they have learned throughout the program.
 
“The skills that we put in place their freshman and sophomore year meticulously align and set them up for success in their junior and senior year,” says Tim Johnson, the STEM/BMAH High School Teacher Specialist for the Office of Advanced Studies and Programs.
Project SCOPE Social Media Campaign Launch
With the start of the 2020-2021 school year, the Fort Meade Alliance has kicked off a social media blitz touting the new and improved Project SCOPE website to students and teachers. Project SCOPE provides students, members of the workforce and transitioning military/veterans with valuable resources to understand the benefits of pursuing a cleared career and navigate the security clearance process. Now more than ever, the Project SCOPE comprehensive website can be a valuable tool as teachers work to find engaging virtual content for their students. Be sure to follow Project SCOPE on our various platforms. 
Welcome Col. Christopher M. Nyland
The Fort Meade Alliance and Fort Meade Alliance Foundation welcome Fort Meade's new Garrison Commander, Col. Christopher M. Nyland.

Col. Nyland officially replaced Col. Erich Spragg during a Change of Command ceremony on Aug. 18. 

Col. Nyland’s most recent operational assignment was a three year tour in the Republic of Korea where he commanded the United Nations Command Security Battalion - Joint Security Area. Following command, he served as the Deputy Commander of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division during their rotations to Korea.

Following his return from Korea, Col. Nyland completed a Master of Science degree in National Resource Strategy with a concentration in Supply Chain Management from the Eisenhower School, National Defense University. His research was focused around China, Artificial Intelligence and Human-Machine Teaming, and sustainment in contested environments.
Welcome to our newest FMA partners & members
5 Star Partner: BAE Systems Inc.

Members: Cushman & Wakefield; Elasticsearch, Inc.; Federal Acquisition Strategies, LLC; Julie Owens & Co. Real Estate LLC; Marie, Inc.; Onyx Consulting Services; RBR-Technologies, Inc. and Strategic Analytix 
Join us on October 8, 2020
In the midst of this pandemic and an approaching election join us for a dynamic conversation to hear from two national leaders on:
  • What the future holds for businesses large and small
  • How will Maryland compete
  • The threat from our adversaries
  • The future of cyber, education and workforce
Mission Partners
5 Star Partners
Amazon Web Services
Anne Arundel Community College
AAEDC
ASRC Federal
BAE Systems
Boeing Intelligence & Analytics
CACI
Chugach Government Solutions
Ciena Government Solutions, Inc. (CGSI)
Corporate Office Properties Trust
Deloitte LLP
Denovo Solutions
HCEDA
LG-TEK

ManTech International Corporation
M.C. Dean
Nominet
Oceaneering International, Inc.
Parsons
PCI
Perspecta
Praxis Engineering
Raytheon
SAIC
Tower Federal Credit Union
Vision Technologies
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company

Patriot Partners
Aronson, LLC
Capitol Technology University
ClearEdge
Focal Point Data Risk 
Howard Community College
National Instruments 
Granting Sponsor