Cyber Skills Center Celebrates Graduation of Fourth Cohort, First AI Program

The Cyber Skills Center at TCC graduated its fourth cohort, including its first AI program. The 24-week virtual bootcamps in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and AI prepare students for in-demand careers, supported by scholarships from the George Kaiser Family Foundation.

The Cyber Skills Center at Tulsa Community College celebrated the graduation of its fourth cohort in January, including the completion of the first Artificial Intelligence cohort. Family and friends gathered at the Center for Creativity to honor 40 graduates as they received certificates of completion. To date, the Cyber Skills Center has graduated 161 students across all four cohorts.

The Cyber Skills Center collaborates with edX and the State of Oklahoma to offer courses in Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and AI to help students gain industry-relevant skills in just 24 weeks. The bootcamp-style learning model is 100% virtual to provide flexibility for working professionals.

Demand for cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and data science professionals continues to grow. For instance, computer and information research science jobs are projected to increase by 26% between 2023 and 2033. Information security jobs and data analytics jobs are expected to increase by 33% and 36%, respectively, during the same period.

“AI will touch every corner of the economy,” says Jeremy J. Wade, Director of the TCC Cyber Skills Center. “As this transformation unfolds, creating new pathways for Tulsans to access these opportunities is critical. Our programs are giving graduates the tools to succeed in emerging fields and build rewarding, future-focused careers.”

Cohort 4 consisted of nine data analytics students, 17 cybersecurity students, and 14 AI students.

Nickson Njau, a Tulsa resident originally from Kenya, is the first student to complete two Cyber Skills Center programs. Njau completed the third cohort with a certification in Cybersecurity, and most recently the fourth cohort in AI. Now employed as a cybersecurity analyst at Helmerich & Payne, Njau credits the Cyber Skills Center for providing him with essential skills, industry connections, and opportunities.

“When I applied, I did not know what I was getting into. I saw a cool opportunity and a scholarship that comes with it, and I had to try it. Now I can say it's the best choice I've made in my life,” says Njau.

AI graduate Wanda Knight discovered her interest in technology while working at a commercial construction company, where AI tools piqued her curiosity. With a background in telecommunications, Knight found the program accessible despite her initial nervousness.

“The boot camp was the very first AI course I’ve taken. I was nervous in the beginning, but the program is laid out really well,” says Knight. “Once we learned the foundations of AI, we were writing programs and learning how to use the tools. We did a lot of projects about real-world scenarios.”

Njau and Knight were recipients of the George Kaiser Family Foundation Scholarship for both cohorts. In addition to covering the $12,000 program cost, the scholarship provides access to childcare, transportation, career readiness support, and required equipment. In the fourth cohort, 38 of the 40 students received fully funded scholarships.

The Cyber Skills Center continues to expand its impact by providing affordable, accessible, and industry-aligned training to prepare students for high-growth, in-demand careers. By equipping graduates with knowledge in advanced technologies, the Cyber Skills Center is driving workforce development and fueling Tulsa’s economic growth.