Building AI and cybersecurity pathways for a modern software engineering workforce

The National Science Foundation Division of Undergraduate Education awarded El Paso Community College $372,377 on October 1, 2026, under the STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to design, implement, and evaluate a stackable occupational skills award in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity embedded within an Associate of Science in Computer Science pathway.

The project will develop and integrate curriculum modules on AI literacy, secure programming practices, and foundational cybersecurity concepts into lower-division computer science courses while preserving transfer pathways. The college will pursue three primary goals: develop and align curriculum modules integrating AI and cybersecurity within existing CS courses; implement the stackable credential within the two-year college pathway; and evaluate student outcomes including learning gains, credential attainment, and workforce readiness. The methodology will include curriculum co-design with industry partners, iterative implementation across multiple course offerings, and mixed-methods evaluation using student performance data, surveys, and external evaluation. Dissemination will occur through open educational resources, faculty workshops, and national computing education venues.

Expected outcomes include increased attainment of workforce-aligned credentials of value, improved student preparedness for emerging computing roles, and a scalable model for adoption across two-year institutions.

Performance occurs at El Paso, Texas. The period of performance runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029.

Abstract

This project aims to serve the national interest by modernizing two-year computer science education through the integration of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity competencies aligned with workforce needs. Two-year colleges provide accessible and transferable pathways into computing careers; however, rapid advances in AI technologies have widened the GAP between traditional curricula and industry expectations. At the same time, AI-enabled systems introduce new cybersecurity, privacy, and ethical challenges that require graduates to think beyond software development toward secure and responsible deployment. This project plans to design, implement, and evaluate a stackable occupational skills award (OSA) in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity embedded within an associate of science in computer science pathway. The project will integrate AI literacy, secure programming practices, and foundational cybersecurity concepts into lower-division coursework while preserving transfer pathways. Expected outcomes include increased attainment of workforce-aligned credentials of value, improved student preparedness for emerging computing roles, and a scalable model for adoption across two-year institutions. The project will pursue three primary goals: (1) develop and align curriculum modules integrating AI and cybersecurity within existing CS courses; (2) implement the stackable credential within a two-year college pathway; and (3) evaluate student outcomes, including learning gains, credential attainment, and workforce readiness. The methodology will include curriculum CO-design with industry partners, iterative implementation across multiple course offerings, and mixed-methods evaluation using student performance data, surveys, and external evaluation. Dissemination will occur through open educational resources, faculty workshops, and national computing education venues. The project will contribute new knowledge on embedding emerging technologies within transfer-oriented programs while maintaining academic rigor and workforce relevance. The NSF iuse: innovation in two-year college stem education (ityc) program seeks to accelerate and advance knowledge about the impact of emerging and evidence-based practices in undergraduate stem education at two-year colleges. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.