Spotlight on South Puget Sound Community College: A Powerhouse in Cybersecurity Education

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Andrew Leiren, a proud SPSCC alumnus and now a tenured cybersecurity professor and department faculty lead; Jason Selwitz, Dean of Applied Technology; and David Wellington, a recent graduate of the Cybersecurity and Network Administration Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree. Their insights, combined with the college’s recent achievements, tell a compelling story of a college that’s doing everything well.

Fast-Track Degrees and Seamless Transfers

SPSCC offers a robust cybersecurity pathway designed to launch students into the workforce or onto a university track within two years. The AAS degree in Cybersecurity and Network Administration aligns with bachelor’s programs at both Western and Eastern Washington Universities—making it a powerful springboard for continued education.

For those aiming to upskill or pivot into tech, the Certificate of Proficiency in Computer Support offers an efficient route into roles like Computer and Network Support Specialist—roles that provide a direct path into cybersecurity careers.

The Mad Hatters Win

The Mad Hatters, SPSCC’s lively and competitive cybersecurity club, catalyzes student involvement in industry events, cybersecurity competitions, and professional networking. Through these enriching experiences and the world-class academic programs at SPSCC, club members have become serious competitors in regional and national cyber competitions.

• In 2024, they placed 3rd in the Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) Pacific Rim Regional Competition.
• In 2025, the club’s NCAE Cyber Games team, the “White Rabbits,” earned their way to the national stage as top contenders.

At the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Cyber Games, the White Rabbits (team of 7) conquered an eight-hour gauntlet of real-world cyber challenges, from defending virtual infrastructure to nailing Capture the Flag (CTF) and Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tasks. The result? First place in infrastructure support and second in CTF. According to instructor Andrew Leiren, it all came down to motivation and camaraderie.

“It’s a combination of our rigorous program and, honestly, a whole lot of student motivation,” Leiren said.

A key advantage? Every member of the team was a Linux enthusiast—perfect for a competition hosted entirely on Linux systems.

National Recognition for Excellence

SPSCC’s excellence doesn’t stop at competition results. In April 2025, the Aspen Institute ranked SPSCC second in the entire nation for Community College Excellence. That recognition, along with a $100,000 prize, was based on outcomes like certificate and degree completion, workforce readiness, and university transfer success.

The college also holds the prestigious National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation from the National Security Agency (NSA) —an assurance that its cybersecurity curriculum meets the highest national standards.

Hands-On and Career-Focused Learning

Cybersecurity at SPSCC is hands-on from day one. Students work with physical servers and routers, and virtual machines via Hyper-V—tools used in the field. The college’s history in routing and networking means students get deep exposure to Cisco equipment and infrastructure fundamentals, laying the foundation for advanced cybersecurity work.

And that experience is paying off. David Wellington, who regularly commutes 90 minutes to campus, says the journey is “totally worth it.”

“The education, the support, and the job placement opportunities—it all adds up,” Wellington said. 

He’s now preparing for a career that’s already within reach, thanks to internship and employment pipelines supported by faculty and alumni.

Flexible, Accessible, and Popular

SPSCC has struck a winning balance between accessibility and rigor. Courses are available in a daytime schedule, but also on nights and weekends, with remote options that make the program attractive to working and caregiving adults and commuters alike. Class sizes remain student-friendly (20–24 students per class), but demand is growing—and so are the offerings.

Whether you're a working parent, a career switcher, or a young student fresh out of high school, the program flexes to fit your schedule without compromising on quality.

Real-World Results: A Pipeline to High-Paying Jobs

Success stories abound, including one standout graduate who, after completing the two-year program, was offered a teaching position—but turned it down to accept a lucrative cybersecurity consulting role with a Department of Defense contractor. The job? High pay, high prestige, and regular trips to Hawaii. Not a bad return on investment for a two-year degree.

Strong Alumni Connections and Industry Ties

SPSCC’s secret sauce might just be its tight-knit network of alumni and industry connections. Graduates remain involved with the Mad Hatters club, serve on the program’s advisory board, and represent major employers at campus job fairs. Many are already in decision-making roles and are eager to hire fellow SPSCC grads.

Longtime faculty member Mike Jameson has been instrumental in keeping those alumni ties alive, helping to build a sustainable loop of mentorship and opportunity.

Final Thoughts

Dean Jason Selwitz summed it up best: 

“We’ve built a program that’s rigorous, supportive, and directly tied to career success. Our students leave here with skills that are in demand and a community that stays with them.”

Whether you’re looking to dive straight into a cybersecurity role or lay the groundwork for a four-year degree, South Puget Sound Community College delivers. With a nationally recognized program, flexible schedules, deep industry ties, and an unbeatable student support system, SPSCC is where future cyber professionals are made.