Online cybersecurity training offers scholarship opportunities for Delaware high school juniors and seniors, and college students

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Friday a new, innovative cybersecurity training partnership between the SANS Institute and the State of Delaware that provides Delaware high school juniors and seniors at least 16 years old, and college students interested in a cybersecurity career, the opportunity to learn basic cybersecurity skills and test their aptitude through a no-cost online game of discovery called CyberStart.

“Delaware’s future is an innovation economy where technology takes center stage, and our state needs a pipeline of talented cybersecurity professionals,” said Governor John Carney. “I am excited that Delaware is able to partner with an organization like the SANS Institute to engage our state’s high school and college students, and encourage them to explore the field of cybersecurity.”

An introductory practice version of CyberStart will be available online from July 14-28, 2017. Participants who complete five of the eight practice modules will be invited to compete in the full-scale program that will run from August 1-28, 2017. The practice round is mandatory for those who would like to compete.

Participants do not need prior cybersecurity knowledge. Students from Delaware who excel in the CyberStart game will have the opportunity to share in $150,000 in scholarships for further cyber-education, and ultimately for $500,000 in scholarships for college and graduate-level training in preparation for highly sought-after industry certifications.

Delaware students will be competing with students from Virginia, Michigan, Rhode Island, Iowa, Nevada, and Hawaii for scholarships sponsored by the SANS Institute.

“I applaud the SANS Institute for working to ensure the cyber workforce of tomorrow is available to protect our information and systems. The CyberStart program is an excellent and fun opportunity for students who think they may be interested in cybersecurity to determine if they have the passion and aptitude to pursue it as a career,” said Delaware Chief Information Officer James Collins. “I hope young people all across Delaware take advantage of this great opportunity.”

Each player in CyberStart begins as a “cyber protection agent” responsible for protecting an important operational base.  The student chooses and solves challenges, earning points along the way. A cyber protection agent field manual provides answers to questions that may arise and hints help when players get stuck. When the player has solved a sufficient number challenges at one level, a new level opens up and new challenges appear – for a total of 31 levels.

When asked why SANS is making this investment, SANS Director of Research, Alan Paller, said “Because the nation desperately needs more highly-skilled cyber professionals, and we have new evidence that CyberStart will radically improve the quality and preparation of people entering the cybersecurity field.  SANS trains more than 30,000 advanced cybersecurity professionals each year for military and intelligence organizations and for large high-tech companies in the U.S. and its allies. We discovered that those who have mastered the topics taught and measured in the CyberStart program do far better than others in the advanced cybersecurity courses that prepare the critically needed people. By opening CyberStart to hundreds of thousands of students we may be able to help the nation identify the next generation of talented people who will excel in this critical field.”

For more information and to get started playing CyberStart, please visit DigiKnow.DTI.Delaware.gov.

New agency created by House Bill 4; Sandy Johnson previously served as Director of Delaware State Housing Authority

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Thursday announced his appointment of Sandy Johnson – a former Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority who has significant executive experience – to serve as Acting Secretary of Delaware’s newly-created Department of Human Resources.

Governor Carney intends to nominate Johnson to serve as Secretary of the agency when the Delaware Senate reconvenes and members can consider her nomination.

“I know Sandy well, and believe she has the right mix of experience, leadership skills, and thoughtfulness to help us get this Department off the ground, and make a real difference for state employees,” said Governor Carney. “This new Department will tackle issues important to our employees, and will help us operate more efficiently across state agencies. I’m confident that Sandy is the right person for the job. Thank you to members of the General Assembly for their leadership in helping create this agency to focus attention and resources on state government’s most important asset – our employees.”

Since 2009, Johnson has been the Executive Director of the City of Camden Redevelopment Agency, working as a member of a mayoral executive team with responsibility for housing, commercial and institutional revitalization in Camden, N.J.

From 2000-2009, Johnson served as a member of then-Governor Ruth Ann Minner’s Cabinet as Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. As Director, Johnson was responsible for more than 100 employees and the operation of mortgage finance programs, public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, the administration of federal housing tax credits, and other housing development programs. She oversaw a more than $10 million operating budget, a $100 million housing trust fund portfolio, and a $2 billion bond portfolio.

Previously she was Executive Director for Interfaith Housing, Delaware’s largest statewide housing redeveloper, and worked as Director of New Castle County’s Department of Community Development and Housing.

“I am deeply grateful to the Governor for this nomination. His confidence in my ability to assist in moving his agenda forward with a strong human resource infrastructure is humbling,” said Johnson. “Our Governor understands the critical role state workers play in good government, and that the time to focus on this is now.”

The new Department of Human Resources was created by House Bill 4, to help confront issues important to state employees and improve the delivery of human resources services. The new agency’s priorities will include promoting diversity and inclusion across state government, and working with the Department of Correction to address the state’s shortage of correctional officers.

Creating a new Human Resources Department was a recommendation of Governor Carney’s Action Plan For Delaware.

Senate Bill 24, signed this week, will improve access to treatment for Delaware veterans

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney this week signed into law Senate Bill 24, which will expand access to medical marijuana treatment for Delaware veterans, and other Delawareans, suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

The legislation was sponsored by Senator Margaret Rose Henry, Representative Paul Baumbach, and Representative Helene Keeley, and passed the General Assembly with support from members of both parties. It removes the requirement that a psychiatrist must authorize a patient with PTSD to access medical marijuana – making the process consistent with patients suffering from other debilitating conditions treatable by medical marijuana in Delaware.

“This is a common sense, and compassionate amendment to Delaware’s medical marijuana law that will expand access to treatment for Delaware veterans and others who live every day with the effects of post-traumatic stress disorder,” said Governor Carney. “Thank you to Senator Henry, Representative Baumbach, Representative Keeley, and all members of the General Assembly for their leadership on this issue.”

Read Governor Carney’s full Legislative Advisory #9, and for all legislative advisories, visit the Governor’s website.

Members will submit recommendations to the Governor, Legislature and Criminal Justice Council by March 2018

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday released the following statement after signing Executive Order #11 to reestablish the Juvenile Justice Advisory Group, which will examine ways to prevent youth from entering or re-entering the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

“We want all Delaware kids to become healthy and productive citizens of our state, and that includes preventing kids from going down the wrong path and coordinating services for those leaving the juvenile justice system. The Juvenile Justice Advisory Group will help us create an environment where all Delaware kids have an opportunity to succeed. This Executive Order will recharge and reenergize the group to find solutions that will work.”

The JJAG will advise the Criminal Justice Council on grant applications, assist in the development of a state plan to monitor the juvenile and criminal justice system, and work to ensure that assistance will be equitably available to disadvantaged youth. The group will submit a report with recommendations to the Governor, Legislature and Criminal Justice Council by March 31, 2018.

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Click here to view the text of Executive Order 11.

Dorrell Green, Assistant Superintendent at Brandywine School District, is a former teacher and school leader in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Tuesday that Dorrell Green – a long-time Delaware educator with a proven track record in school improvement – will lead the Delaware Department of Education’s new Office of Improvement & Innovation.

The Wilmington-based team will support Delaware’s schools most in need with a focus on struggling schools in the City of Wilmington.

“All Delaware students deserve a quality education and an equal opportunity to succeed,” said Governor Carney. “We must provide our schools most in need with the resources and supports necessary so that every child has that chance. Dorrell is a proven leader who knows from first-hand experience how to overcome challenges to improve academic outcomes for Delaware children.”

Green, who is currently an assistant superintendent in the Brandywine School District, starts August 1. His new office will include staff members reassigned from other work in the Department of Education, with experience supporting students and schools in need. The team will support educators on the ground, particularly in struggling schools in the City of Wilmington.

Creation of the Office of Improvement & Innovation is one of the first steps being taken in a broader reorganization of the Department of Education. The reorganization also includes the elimination of 10 vacant positions, and a pledge to review additional positions for elimination as they become vacant – with the goal of creating a leaner, more support-driven agency. Impending changes will reflect a department better suited to support student achievement across the state.

During his almost 19-year career in education in Delaware, Green served as a teacher at Christina School District’s Bancroft Elementary and Stubbs Elementary and a school leader at Stubbs, Christina’s Bayard Middle, and Brandywine School District’s Harlan Elementary before leading Brandywine’s Title I and Elementary Division.

“Dorrell’s work as a successful teacher, school leader and district administrator in Delaware schools, including some of the schools where his work in this new role now will focus, gives him the expertise needed to lead this new team,” said Dr. Susan Bunting, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education. “I am excited to welcome him to the Delaware Department of Education.”

Green spent eight years working as a teacher and school administrator in the Christina School District before joining the Brandywine School District, where he worked as a principal then district director before taking over as assistant superintendent in 2012. In that role, he oversees district operations, including the elementary school division, school climate, safety/security, crisis management, facilities, transportation, school nurses, school social workers and alternative education programming.

“I have dedicated my professional life to mentoring, educating, coaching, and supporting our children in the City of Wilmington,” said Green. “I humbly accept this opportunity to help lead change within the city that I know our families, educators and children want. Working together with various stakeholders, my goal is to close the experience and opportunity gaps for young people in the city, especially those living in vulnerable communities. I know we can improve outcomes for our children, and put them on a positive path forward.”

Green earned a Bachelor of Science in elementary teaching education and a Master of Education in educational leadership from the University of Delaware. He is completing a Doctor of Education in organizational leadership from Wilmington University.

Green volunteers as a board member of United Way of Delaware and is a Prevent Child Abuse of Delaware Ambassador. He also is a youth basketball and leadership development coach with the William T. McLaughlin Foundation DreamChasers Youth Basketball program and previously served as a board member of the Rose Hill Community Center.

Green also is a member of the CDC Community Advisory Council, which has produced recommendations for reducing youth violence in the City of Wilmington.

Reaction to Tuesday’s announcement:

“I am very glad to see that additional attention and resources will flow into the educational system that affects the lives of our children in Wilmington,” said Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki. “This new office will focus on what’s needed to improvement student achievement and we stand ready to be as supportive as possible as the office carries out its work. We look for good things from Dorrell Green and his team and we thank Governor Carney for making the education of our children a top priority.”

“For nearly ten years, Dorrell Green has served the students and families of the Brandywine School District with distinction as a principal, director, and most recently assistant superintendent,” said Dr. Mark Holodick, Superintendent of the Brandywine School District. “In addition to his knowledge and experience, Dorrell’s empathy and ability to connect people come to mind as keys to his success. Throughout his career, he has always maintained a student-centered approach, striving to do what is best for students’ academic, emotional, and social growth. These attributes will serve him well in his new position, where he will have the opportunity to not only impact and influence more students but also create connections that will ultimately benefit more students, families, and the community as a whole.”

“These are the kinds of forward-thinking steps we must take to ensure all Delaware students, regardless of where they live, have a fair shot at a quality education,” said Senate Majority Leader Margaret Rose Henry, D-Wilmington East. “We must make investments in our high-poverty schools and we must take former educators who have been successful in our City’s classrooms and put them in positions to lead. Hiring Dorrell Green to lead the Office of Improvement & Innovation checks both of those boxes, though we must go into this with eyes wide open that implementing innovative policies may well mean finding additional funding for our schools that need it most.”

“Dorrell is a solid choice, said Wilmington City Council President Hanifa Shabazz. “I applaud Governor Carney for selecting someone who is a passionate educator, a remarkable leader and a champion for academic achievement for students, faculty and staff. As a member of the CDC Community Advisory Committee I’ve come to know first-hand his commitment to service, and I have no doubt that he will devote this next phase of his career to advancing academic parity for all Delaware schools.”

“The Wilmington Education Improvement Commission helped lay the groundwork for aiding Wilmington schools, and I’m happy to hear that Gov. Carney is focusing on education with this new Office of Improvement & Innovation,” said Representative Charles Potter Jr., D-Wilmington North. “There’s been enough talk, and now there’s time for action and results to better help our children get the best education. Dorrell is a very competent person, and I am hopeful he will come in with the same enthusiasm he’s displayed throughout his career, and most recently at Brandywine School District.”

“As a former teacher I know that schools are more than just schools – they are safe spaces for children to grow and develop academically, personally and socially,” said Representative Stephanie T. Bolden, D-Wilmington East. “I hope the new team builds on the work that has been done by the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission over the years and works to ensure that children are supported and have the resources necessary to succeed.”

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