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Professor Peggy Brouse is the architect of the world's first-of-its-kind BS in Cyber Security Engineering. Brouse not only conceived and executed the innovative program but also remains involved and engaged, fostering the growth and development of education for the next generation of cyber defenders.
For her contributions and commitment, Brouse recently earned the prestigious statewide Outstanding Cybersecurity Educator Award. The award recognizes excellence in cybersecurity education and was presented at the annual Commonwealth Cyber Fusion event in Lexington, Virginia, hosted by the Virginia Military Institute.
The College of Engineering and Computing’s BS in Cyber Security Engineering started in 2015 in the Volgenau School of Engineering. Developed to focus on cyber-physical systems and equip students to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity in engineered systems, it has grown to become one of the most sought-after majors at George Mason University. Hundreds of students now graduate annually. The program hired enough faculty to become its own department in 2021 and now offers graduate and undergraduate degrees. Brouse has been there all along, teaching, guiding, mentoring, and building.
“Professor Brouse designed the program to use a systems engineering approach to cyber security integration in systems development, and she hasn’t wavered from that vision,” said Professor Paulo Costa, chair of the cyber security engineering department. “This award confirms how Peggy has kept Mason Engineering as one of the nation’s most innovative cybersecurity schools.”
The award aims to raise cybersecurity career awareness and help students see themselves as professionals in the field. “Receiving this statewide award was an honor,” said Brouse. “Having it presented to me by Dave Raymond, associate vice president for security and identity at Virginia Tech, made it that much more special. Dave is the original director of the Virginia Cyber Range (VACR). I have had the privilege of working with him on the VACR Executive Committee since its inception. VACR is a great resource for our students in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”