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Georgia Gwinnett College's (GGC) interdisciplinary Crossover Speaker Series is offering students an opportunity to explore topics that go beyond their academic majors. Hosted by the School of Business (SBA), the series launched in early October with a focus on cybersecurity in recognition of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Great things start in the hallway

The idea behind a crossover series was the product of a hallway conversation between SBA program engagement associate Ben Hines and Dr. Patrice Morris, associate professor of criminal justice/criminology in the college’s School of Liberal Arts.

“We all have the same mission to educate students, and we know there is crossover among the disciplines,” Hines said. “So, we wanted to do more collaborations between schools.”

“In our talks, we decided that cybersecurity is a timely topic of discussion,” said Morris. “October is cybersecurity month and it’s a great way to inform and educate our students across various disciplines about that topic.”

And with that, the crossover series moved forward.

Faculty and staff share their expertise

The inaugural event featured a panel of faculty and staff experts who spoke about the technical, legal and business implications of cybersecurity.

Dr. John Marinan, associate professor of business communications, moderated the discussion.

Morris talked about the importance of cybersecurity from a criminal justice perspective and the role of the federal government in mitigating, controlling, preventing and deterring cyberattacks.

Jacky Sylvain, associate director of technology support services, underscored the importance of password protection and how to be cyber aware.

Asad Khan, a 2017 GGC IT graduate who returned to GGC this year as a full-time IT lecturer talked about opportunities to supplement majors by adding a minor or a certificate.

“Students may start their academic journey in one area such as business or healthcare, but IT and cybersecurity touch all areas,” he said.

Third-year business administration student Jemimah James said the event was insightful.

“Events like these are crucial because they empower students with knowledge that is not only academically valuable but also applicable to our daily lives,” she said. “In today’s digital age, where cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated, these kinds of educational events are essential for preparing students to navigate an increasingly connected world safely.”