San Diego City College President Ricky Shabazz recalled going into a meeting years ago with cybersecurity professor David Kennemer, willing to hear him out.
But when it came to the idea of bringing a bachelor’s degree to City College in cyber defense and analysis, his answer was going to be no.
“There was no way that we can do it,” Shabazz remembered.
Addressing a crowd of graduates and supporters celebrating the first cohort of City students about to graduate with a bachelor’s degree on April 28, he admitted Kennemer convinced him.
“(Kennemer) came in with such amazing research and had figured out a way, in the reality that there were no CSUs or UCs that offered a degree in cybersecurity, cyber defense and analysis,” Shabazz said. “He had so much passion that this aligned with our work in social justice (and) the students who came to us, who deserved an opportunity at an above-livable-wage career. I took that energy and it got embedded in me and I said, ‘let’s do it.’”
As part of the celebration, Vice President of Instruction Matilda “Tillie” Chavez showed off the regalia the cyber defense and analysis graduates will wear during the upcoming commencement ceremony, held at Spreckles Organ Pavilion on May 21 from 5-7 p.m.
Shabazz shared the design of the regalia was chosen by students in the cybersecurity program.
A small handful of graduates also gathered for a group photo with a background that read, “Congratulations,” and held a sign that read, “Cybersecurity and Analysis,” while their friends and family watched.
The California Community Colleges Board of Governors approved the degree in early 2023, allowing City College to offer a four-year degree in cyber defense and analysis.
AB-927 passed back in 2021, set the chain in motion, allowing the 116 community colleges in California to offer baccalaureate degrees for the first time.
Kennemer took that opportunity to create a cybersecurity program and, in the process, developed one of the best in the state.
Faculty and students in the cybersecurity program were excited to celebrate the commitment from Kennemer and City College finally being realized.
Graduate Alexander Lopez gave a speech during the ceremony, calling the training they had received at City fit for the defenders of a digitally integrated world.
“Regardless of where specifically we end up working, for some, such as myself, (this) translates to directly protecting life itself, with protecting critical infrastructure, regardless of the specifics,” Lopez said.
Cybersecurity student Venkateswar Rao Vadlamudi delivered an emotional speech, also praising the determination of his professor.
“You bled for this program, and we all know it, the late nights, the unglamorous advocacy, absolute refusal to let this program die in a committee room,” the student known as V.V. said. “You poured yourself into cyber defense (and) analysis until it breathed, because you bled. We rise, please. Let’s give (Kennermer) a roar.”
While on the podium, Rao Vadlamundi announced he will next be pursuing his master’s degree in Homeland Security at San Diego State University, and extended his gratitude to City College for making it possible.
“My next chapter starts there, and I carry our City College banner with me,” said Rao Vadlamundi, who is a member of the City Times Media staff.
While the student speakers were praising Kennemer for his effort to make the program a reality, Kennemer’s praise went to his students for their own determination to be the first graduating class from the cybersecurity program with bachelor’s degrees.
“Damn proud is what I am, of all of you,” Kennemer said. “This really is your moment, your time, your hard work, your effort, sleepless nights, messages on the weekend, last minute, fighting through every challenge that you not only have in your personal lives, but the ones that you have here as well in your academia, and so congratulations. I mean, hell of a job.”
This story was edited by Rosemary Archer and Crow Ruiz.
Update, May 6: This story has been changed to reflect the correct name and link to the master’s program at SDSU. City Times Media regrets the error.
