Meet a Roadrunner: Top Scholar Eric Ficke puts UTSA top cybersecurity ranking to test
(April 23, 2014) -- Meet Eric Ficke. One of the university's Top Scholars, he chose UTSA over Stanford or Johns Hopkins to study cybersecurity.
Considering that UTSA's cybersecurity program was recently named the best in the country, he's pretty happy with his decision.
"I'm proud of UTSA and I'm definitely glad that I chose to go here," he said.
Ficke, a computer science major, is the first freshman to intern at the UTSA Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS), which provides exercises, training and tools to state and community entities to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity preparedness.
One of the programs the center is most known for is the annual Raytheon National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition, which brings together the top teams from universities across the country to apply their skills in defending against cyberattacks.
In the same vein, the CIAS also supports the Air Force Association's annual CyberPatriot competition, the premier national cyber security competition for high school students.
In fact, one could say UTSA played an early role in Ficke's interest in cybersecurity. As a student at San Antonio Christian High School, he participated in the CyberPatriot competitions.
Only a month into the internship, Ficke is already developing the curriculum for a course the CIAS will offer this summer in conjunction with St. Philip's College that will teach high school teachers the basics of cybersecurity -- how to attack and defend systems.
"When Eric leaves this internship program, he will have more experience than someone who has been on the job for a year," said Ray Sims, assistant director of the Infrastructure Assurance program at CIAS. "The CIAS complements what UTSA students are learning in their cybersecurity academic programs with application-based experience."
This harmony between academic and applied research supported by many dedicated individuals is the reason UTSA is able to provide the type of top ranked experience to top-tier students like Ficke.
------------------------------
Do you know someone at UTSA who is achieving great things? Email us at social@utsa.edu, so we might consider your submission for an upcoming installment of Meet a Roadrunner.
Events
The UTSA Office of Undergraduate is proud to celebrate National Undergraduate Research with an annual event sponsored by the (OUR) featuring students will showcase undergraduate student research and creative endeavors from all disciplines across campus.
Various LocationsDía en la Sombrilla, formerly Fiesta UTSA, is a festival hosted each spring as a part of Fiesta® San Antonio events. Sponsored by Roadrunner Productions, the event features music, food, confetti, games, event t-shirts, and more.
Sombrilla Plaza and Central Plaza, Main CampusFiesta Arts Fair features contemporary art from more than 100 artists from across the U.S., Fiesta favorite foods, drinks, live music by local and regional performers, and a Young Artists Garden providing opportunities for budding artists to learn, explore and express their creativity.
UTSA Southwest CampusJoin the PEACE Center and Wellbeing Services for Denim Day, a day of learning about the importance of consent and why we wear denim on the last Wednesday of the month each April during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Stop by our Denim Day display to take a photo in front of our Denim Wall, spin the "Is It Consent?" Wheel, and get a Concha or goodie.
Student Union Window Lounge, Main CampusLearn to use Zotero®, a citation manager that can help you store and organize citations you find during your research. Zotero can generate bibliographies in various styles, insert in-text citations and allow you to share sources with collaborators.
Virtual EventThis event is to achnowlege the graduating seniors and induct the new cohart of scholars to our program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140,) Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome