Articles

HCC joins VICEROY program to seek students for cybersecurity roles in government, military

Mar 6, 2025

Houston Community College (HCC) has joined the prestigious VICEROY program under Texas A&M University as a Virtual Institution. This partnership enhances HCC's commitment toward providing high-quality education for students pursuing careers in cybersecurity and computer science.

The VICEROY program develops the next generation of cybersecurity professionals for critical roles within the U.S. Department of Defense and related agencies. VICEROY offers pathways to civilian and commissioned officer careers with organizations such as the NSA, CIA, Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Space Force.

"The VICEROY program offers students unprecedented opportunities," said Robert Glover, interim executive director for Military Education Programs at HCC. "This collaboration empowers students with tailored resources and support, opening doors to careers vital for securing our nation’s digital infrastructure.”

Additionally, the HCC VICEROY program will be student-led and student-managed, meaning that an initial cohort of five students will organize and run the program, Glover noted.

Participants will develop foundational skills in cybersecurity, strategic language acquisition, cryptography and data science. Courses integrate interdisciplinary studies in languages, communications, civic engagement, and diplomatic literacy to deepen students’ knowledge.

The technical curriculum is enhanced with experiential learning opportunities to nurture talent aligned with national defense needs. Additionally, the initial HCC VICEROY scholars will be provided with CompTIA Security+ training, paid for by the VICEROY Program at Texas A&M University.

The program seeks bright-minded students interested in cyber and electromagnetic spectrum technologies. They must be able to demonstrate technical problem-solving within the defense realm. Selected students must also be eligible for U.S. security clearances.

“The collaboration with VICEROY and Texas A&M aligns with HCC’s mission to develop a highly trained workforce that supports our nation’s cybersecurity efforts,” said HCC Chancellor Margaret Ford Fisher, Ed.D. “We are proud to play a vital role in educating these essential professionals.”

For more information about VICEROY, visit cybersecurity.tamu.edu/education/viceroy.