Governor McAuliffe Kicks Off Inaugural Meeting of the Virginia Cyber Security Commission

Richard A. Clarke (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

FAIRFAX –  Governor McAuliffe kicked off the inaugural meeting of the Virginia Cyber Security Commission, a group established by executive order which will bring public and private sector experts together to make recommendations on how to make Virginia a leader in cyber security. Speaking to the Commission’s 17 members at George Mason University, Governor McAuliffe emphasized the urgency of growing Virginia’s cyber industry to both enhance the Commonwealth’s security capabilities and expand economic opportunity.

“It is my great pleasure to welcome Chair Richard A. Clarke, and all the members of the Virginia Cyber Security Commission, to this exciting and groundbreaking first meeting. As Governor, I must address the challenge of securing and protecting our citizens and economy. But I also see cyber security efforts as an opportunity – to build upon our vast cyber and military assets that we have in the Commonwealth to drive economic development."

Governor McAuliffe's message was echoed by Cyber Security Commission Co-Chair Richard A. Clarke:

"I am extremely honored to serve as Co-Chair of this commission and excited to work with everyone here to make Virginia the driving engine behind cyber security innovation and economic development, and to establish the Commonwealth's leadership in this field as a model for the nation."

Today’s meeting agenda included official administering of the oath of office for the commission members, briefings from cyber industry leaders, and in-depth discussions on the current state of Virginia’s burgeoning cyber industry. The Commission’s members agreed to break out into working groups to better tackle the many layers and aspects that fall under the broad umbrella of cyber security. The focuses of these subgroups will include: modernizing infrastructure, driving economic growth, strengthening education and workforce development, and promoting improved cyber hygiene.

Governor McAuliffe established the Cyber Security Commission in February through Executive Order (EO8). The commission is co-chaired by Secretary of Technology Karen Jackson and Richard A. Clarke, who served as senior White House adviser on national security to Presidents Obama, Bush, and Clinton. The Cyber Security Commission's 17 members include cabinet officials from Governor McAuliffe's administration, cyber security business leaders, and academic researchers.  

More information can be found on the Commission’s website: http://cyberva.virginia.gov/.

Release on Executive Order (EO8)

Release on appointees to Virginia Cyber Security Commission   

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Two Virginia Universities in Top Five of Kiplinger’s “Best Values in Public Colleges” Rankings

The David Student Union at Christopher Newport University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

UVa Remains 2nd in Nation; William and Mary Keeps Number 4 Ranking

James Madison, Virginia Tech, Mary Washington, George Mason, and Christopher Newport Included in the Top 100

RICHMOND – Two Virginia public universities are ranked in the Top 5 of Kiplinger Magazine’s annual ranking of the “Best Values in Public Colleges.” The University of Virginia was ranked second, while The College of William and Mary stayed at number four.  Five other Virginia universities also ranked in the magazine’s top 100, including James Madison University (22), Virginia Tech (27), The University of Mary Washington (61), George Mason University (72), and Christopher Newport University (84).

Speaking about the rankings, Governor McDonnell said, “Once again, Kiplinger saw what Virginians have long known: our colleges and universities provide world-class educations while keeping higher education affordable. Kiplinger specifically noted that UVa has the highest four year graduation rate on its list and the second lowest in-state cost, an average of $5,070 after need based aid is applied. This further demonstrates our commitment to making higher education more affordable and accessible. Over the past four years we have put nearly $600 million in new funding into higher education, including the $183.1 million for fiscal year 2015/2016; we know that helping Virginia students access our great colleges and universities is crucial to their future professional success and the future prosperity of our Commonwealth. Over the next few years we will continue our commitment to higher education by including over $183.1 million in the upcoming biennial budget to ensure that the nation’s best higher education system is even more affordable and accessible for Virginia students.”

The entire Kiplinger ranking is available online here.

The governor’s proposed funding for higher education in the upcoming biennial budget was announced earlier today and can be found here.

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Governor McDonnell Announces George Mason University as Location of Virginia Center for Excellence in Teaching

English: Hazel Hall, George Mason University School of Law. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that the Virginia Center for Excellence in Teaching will open in June 2014 on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax County. The center — which the governor proposed as part of his 2013 All Students K-12 legislative agenda — will provide professional development opportunities in instruction, education policy and leadership for 100 exemplary teachers annually.

“By establishing the Virginia Center for Excellence in Teaching, we continue to elevate the teaching profession and send a message that there is no higher calling than inspiring, mentoring and preparing young people for the future,” said Governor McDonnell. “The center will set a new standard for excellence in classroom instruction and prepare teachers for leadership within their fields and beyond.”

The Virginia Center for Excellence in Teaching will conduct four five-day residential summer academies in 2014 with each academy enrolling 25 teachers. Two academies in June will focus on the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and the humanities and language arts. Academies in July will focus on the fine arts and interdisciplinary studies.   

“Public education is dynamic and rapidly changing field,” Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright said. “The Virginia Center for Excellence in Teaching will equip teachers to be leaders in local, state and national conversations about policy and practice.”

Each academy will have two George Mason faculty instructors, as well as guest speakers from Mason, local school divisions and the education policy community. Each participating teacher will earn five graduate credit hours, with three credits earned in the summer during the academy and two credits earned through online learning and a conference during the following school year.

Mason is developing an outreach campaign to identify qualified teachers for the center. Participants must hold a five-year renewable Virginia license, be employed by a Virginia school division, have a minimum of five years of successful teaching experience, and have a consistent record of effective instruction and demonstrated leadership ability.

“There are outstanding teachers in every region of the Commonwealth who could benefit from the challenging programs the Virginia Center for Excellence in Teaching will offer,” Mason President Ángel Cabrera said. “In selecting the participants, we will seek out teachers in every grade level and discipline, and in schools fully representative of Virginia’s urban, rural and suburban communities.”

In approving McDonnell’s proposal, the 2013 General Assembly authorized $220,000 to establish the Virginia Center for Excellence in Teaching and directed the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to solicit competitive proposals from state colleges and universities to create and operate the center. This month, VDOE awarded the contract to Mason.

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to build upon Mason’s expertise in educator preparation to support teachers from throughout the state,” said Mark R. Ginsberg, dean of the College of Education and Human Development. “By developing teachers’ capacity for leadership within their classrooms, schools, and communities, this center will empower teachers to work towards our shared goals of promoting effective instruction and excellence in public education."

Elizabeth Sturtevant will serve as director of the Virginia Center for Excellence in Teaching. Sturtevant currently heads Mason’s Division of Elementary, Literacy and Secondary Education and teaches courses in literacy education and teacher leadership.

To learn more about the Virginia Center for Excellence in Teaching, email cehd@gmu.edu to be added to the interest list.

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Governor McDonnell Hosts Virginia Social Entrepreneurship Networking Event

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell, in partnership with Capital One, will host a social entrepreneurship networking event tomorrow evening, Thursday, September 12^that the University of Richmond’s Robins School of Business.  The event will convene top thought leaders to consider opportunities in Virginia's growing social entrepreneurship space.  The evening is co-chaired by Pete Snyder, CEO of the Virginia-based seed and angel capital company Disruptor Capital, and Mark Rubin, Executive Director of Government Relations for VCU and former senior advisor to Governor Timothy M. Kaine.

            The event will kick off at 5:00 p.m. with a welcome address from Governor McDonnell, followed by a panel discussion led by Mark Rubin, Ron Monarck, Managing Director of the Alan B. Miller Entrepreneurship Center at the College of William and Mary, Elizabeth Schmidt, Executive Director of the Center for Social Entrepreneurship at George Mason, Jeff Pollack, Assistant Professor of Management in the Robins School of Business at the University of Richmond, and Bob Mooney of New Richmond Ventures.  Later, four attendees at the event will be selected a random to give a four minute presentation on a social entrepreneurship topic of their choice, with attendees voting on the most compelling presentation.  The evening will conclude with a time for participants to network with each other.

            Speaking about the social entrepreneurship networking event, Governor McDonnell commented, “We are seeing a rapidly growing interest in social entrepreneurship in Virginia as citizens and companies look to make a greater impact in our society through investments in sustainable entrepreneurial programs. Companies like Capital One are leading the pack with their affordable housing and youth financial literacy programs.  Simultaneously, our higher education institutions including George Mason University, the University of Richmond, the University of Virginia and William and Mary are embracing the growing interest in social enterprise among our youth and are encouraging even greater interest and participation while in college.  Tomorrow will be an evening filled with inspiring ideas among Virginia’s thought-leaders and entrepreneurs.  Our hope is that this event serves as a catalyst to get the ideas and plans of Virginia’s social entrepreneurs off the ground and implemented in our communities.”

“Our goal is to accelerate good ideas and make a real difference for Virginians. Government should be engaging in social entrepreneurship to help solve some of the toughest challenges we see every day. The next great social enterprise may help us to better deliver health care services, increase energy efficiency or deploy services and information to citizens in a smarter and more cost effective way,” remarked Janet Kelly, Secretary of the Commonwealth.

            “Entrepreneurship is the lifeblood of our economy. Social entrepreneurship provides Virginians the opportunity to make a difference and seek a profit. The principles of business and innovation meet our collective interest in maximizing the social good means more opportunity for our citizens. I applaud Governor McDonnell for hosting this event and look forward to an exciting discussion,” commented Pete Snyder, event co-chair.  

           “I am pleased to join a conversation about social entrepreneurship in Virginia. From a higher education and policy perspective, there is a tremendous opportunity in social entrepreneurship and Virginia is blessed with the right mix of resources, talent and motivation to maximize growth,” said Mark Rubin, event co-chair.

            Registration information and addition information about tomorrow’s social entrepreneurship event is available here.

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