Tuesday, Oct 21, 2025 • Brian Lopez : Contact

The University of Texas at Arlington’s Computer Science and Engineering Department has been named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) by the National Security Agency, a designation that underscores the University’s academic and research leadership in this critical field.

The NCAE-C program, managed by the NSA’s National Cryptologic School in partnership with multiple federal agencies, works with colleges and universities to establish rigorous standards for cybersecurity education. It promotes curriculum and competency development, community outreach, professional training and the integration of cybersecurity principles across academic disciplines.

UTA, a Carnegie R-1 institution, is designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R) university.

“Earning an NCAE-C designation shows our program is of national caliber and gives us visibility,” said Shirin Nilizadeh, associate professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. “It’s not given easily—it is the result of consistent, high-impact research and education over the past five years. This will help us with recruiting students, will open doors for students for internships and jobs after graduation, and will increase our opportunities for collaboration with industry and federal agencies.”

Dr. Nilizadeh, along with Associate Professor Ming Li and Assistant Professor Habeeb Olufowobi, was instrumental in obtaining the designation.

Related: Two professors earn top UT Regents’ teaching honor

Currently, 14 UTA computer science and engineering faculty are experts in cybersecurity areas such as network security, privacy, malware and information security. Faculty members are also part of 11 active grants totaling more than $9.2 million in research funding.

The department plans to launch a bachelor’s degree program in cybersecurity in the near future, a move that Hong Jiang, chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, said will further strengthen UTA’s impact.

Related: UTA ranked No. 1 university in North Texas by WSJ

“Earning the CAE-R designation highlights UTA’s growing national leadership in cybersecurity research and education,” Dr. Jiang said. “This recognition positions us to expand partnerships, attract top talent and further advance research that addresses some of society’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges.”

—       Jeremy Agor, College of Engineering

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

Celebrating its 130^th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.