Saint Leo Celebrates Opening of Newly Expanded Newport News Education Center
A cybersecurity lab, Military Resource Center, study lounge, and new classrooms added to better serve students and community at Saint Leo University.
Saint Leo University celebrated the grand opening of its expanded Newport News location on April 17. The Newport News Education Center added 4,386 square feet to its site at One BayPort Way, Newport News, VA 23606.
The public, students, alumni, faculty, staff, and local business leaders attended and toured the facility. Newport News Mayor McKinley L. Price addressed those gathered celebrate the grand opening of the newly expanded Saint Leo location.
The Newport News Education Center now offers a fully equipped cybersecurity lab as well as additional classroom space and a study lounge. The university offers a Bachelor of Science degree Bachelor of Science degree in cybersecurity as well as a Master of Science degree in cybersecurity at Newport News. Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing fields with rapidly changing technology. Saint Leo University anticipated growth in this area and was one of the first universities to offer a cybersecurity program.
"Aside from the Russian [hacking] attack and the Facebook debacle, there is an ever increasing need for cybersecurity, and we are now fully able to prepare individuals to meet that need," said Michael Godfrey, Virginia Peninsula area director, Saint Leo University. "The lab has a fully functioning independent server and specifically designated laptops for the students to practice on cyber attacks. The room also was outfitted with 21 new desktops for general computer work." Those computers are connected to the center's main server.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, there are roughly half a million cybersecurity-related job openings in the United States, and the need is expected to continue to grow. Saint Leo provides quality education to meet employers' cybersecurity needs.
In addition, the Newport News Education Center boasts the university's second Military Resource Center (MRC), which is available to all student-veterans and military-affiliated students.
Saint Leo first opened an MRC at its St. Leo, FL, location in 2016. Saint Leo University is known for its commitment to the U.S. military and veterans, and the new MRC will provide a place for students from all of the university's Virginia locations to relax, study, meet with advisors, and receive help from external support agencies. For student resources, go to https://www.saintleo.edu/active-military-veterans.
"This designated space for military-connected students shows both current and prospective students the commitment by the university to its military supportive services," said Pamela Martis, associate vice president of the Office of Military Affairs & Services.
Saint Leo University's Newport News Education Center is near Joint Base Langley-Eustis and offers flexible class schedules, affordable tuition, and an environment tailored to busy adult students and members of the military.
"My hope is that this new space will provide for more educational opportunities for individuals in the local area," Godfrey said. "Further, I hope the new MRC will serve as a space that our students who are veterans will fully utilize as a show of Saint Leo's commitment to our military and student-veterans."
Degrees offered at Newport News range from the associate to the master's. Offerings include: Associate of Arts degrees in business administration, criminal justice, information technology, and liberal arts; Bachelor of Arts degrees in criminal justice; criminal justice – criminalistics;
criminal justice - homeland security; human resource management; human services; business administration – logistics; business administration – management; business administration – marketing; business administration - technology management; sociology; sociology – applied & clinical; sociology - diversity & inequality; Bachelor of Science degrees in computer information systems; computer science; cybersecurity; and health care management; Master of Science degrees in criminal justice; cybersecurity; and human services; Masters of Business Administration; MBA – accounting; MBA – health care management; MBA – human resources management; MBA – marketing; MBA – project management; MBA – sport business; and MBA
Many adult students pursue business administration and criminal justice degrees at the Newport News location. Saint Leo offers courses at convenient times so students may pursue their degrees while working and raising families.
Registration is underway for Summer 2 Semester that begins June 25 and ends August 19 while Fall 1 Semester begins August 20 and ends October 14. For resources are available at WorldWide Student Resources.
For information, email newportnews@saintleo.edu or call (757) 249-0390.