Brittni Hardie, a Computer and Information Science Instructor at the University of Arkansas Hope Texarkana, was selected by Governor Asa Hutchinson to represent the Arkansas Data Science and Computing Ecosystem (ArDSCE) group of 19 counties in the Southwest Arkansas region. I was. ArDSCE is a statewide community of practice of education, government, business, industry, and nonprofit organizations committed to data science and computing economic growth and workforce development through data-driven education and training in Arkansas. is. The group is committed to building and maintaining Arkansas’ competitive edge in data science and computing, coordinating efforts to ensure Arkansas has a robust and highly skilled future workforce.

Vice President for Academic Affairs Laura Clark said: “She is dedicated to training students for good jobs in technologically advanced fields, as well as working to create a skilled workforce statewide. are at the forefront of preparing them for these high-demand, high-paying jobs.”

Brittni and her fellow instructor Nicol Sutherland have been instrumental in developing two new computer and information science programs launching at UAHT this fall. The university offers a new CP (Certificate of Proficiency) in cybersecurity and a new CP in IT technicians. The certificate is designed to lead to an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Information Technology.

CP in Cybersecurity is a partnership of the CyberLearn Network consortium led by the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. The consortium will share curricula and educational resources to deliver cybersecurity programs statewide. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), cybersecurity will see a 33% industry forecast over the next decade, and his expected starting salary is $50,000.

IT Technician CPs prepare students for the CompTIA A+ certification exam. This certification is the industry standard for establishing a career in IT and the right certification for technical support and her IT operations roles. According to CompTIA, it’s the only industry-recognized credential with performance-based skills that prove competency. BLS expects overall employment of computer support specialists to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030, with expected starting salaries of $30,000 to $40,000.

To register for classes, contact the Purtle Advising Center at 870-722-8124 or email [email protected].