Civil Air Patrol Cyber Academy returns to DSU with expanded national reach

Dakota State University welcomed the Civil Air Patrol Cyber Academy back to campus this summer, hosting 27 high-achieving cadets from 18 states and Puerto Rico, including Alaska and Hawaii, for a week of intensive cybersecurity education and leadership development.

Now in its second year at DSU, the academy has grown from a regional event into an official Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Special Activity, attracting some of the nation's top young cybersecurity students through a highly competitive application process.

Throughout the week, cadets participated in classroom instruction, hands-on cybersecurity exercises, and tours of DSU's nationally recognized cyber facilities while learning from university faculty and Civil Air Patrol instructors. The curriculum, based on the Air & Space Forces Association's CyberPatriot program, introduces students to cybersecurity fundamentals and prepares them for future education and careers in cyber operations.

"This is the first year it's considered a national cadet special activity," said Colonel Kevin Pegelow, South Dakota Wing Civil Air Patrol assistant director for the academy. "We have cadets attending from 18 different states, as well as Puerto Rico, Alaska, and Hawaii. We're hoping to continue to expand and provide more opportunities for these cadets to explore future careers."

The academy is designed for students who have already demonstrated a strong interest in cybersecurity. According to Pegelow, approximately 8,000 cadets apply each year for roughly 2,000 available positions across Civil Air Patrol's national cadet activities.

"These kids really want to be here," Pegelow said. "They're engaged, they're excited, and they want to pursue careers in cybersecurity."

During the week, cadets heard from several university leaders, including DSU President Dr. John Ballard, Provost Dr. Rebecca Hoey, Dean of the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences Dr. Mary Bell, and Cyber Operations Department Chair Dr. Michael Ham.

Ballard encouraged cadets to embrace lifelong learning as technology continues to evolve.

"The future will require continuous education," Ballard told the group. "Be lifelong learners. Stay engaged. Be creative. Continue your education, be ready for change, and continue to serve."

He also highlighted DSU's mission of developing "cyber-savvy graduates who are innovators, pioneers, and leaders ready to serve lives of purpose and consequence," noting the strong alignment between that mission and the values of Civil Air Patrol.

Hoey introduced cadets to DSU's expanding leadership in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, emphasizing that the university is preparing students not only to use emerging technologies but to create them.

"Our students are developing AI, not just using AI," Hoey said. "They're creating AI to be used in business, manufacturing, and cyber defense."

She also highlighted the university's programs in artificial intelligence, cyber defense, and cyber operations, along with industry partnerships that give students real-world experience solving complex cybersecurity challenges.

Bell and Ham showcased the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences' hands-on approach to cybersecurity education, explaining how students begin working directly with real-world cybersecurity challenges from their first year on campus.

Ham explained that DSU's cyber operations program emphasizes offensive cybersecurity, malware analysis, software exploitation, reverse engineering, and hardware security through immersive laboratory experiences.

"We're heavily focused on hands-on learning because we know that when students graduate from our programs, they're going to have to be immediately effective whether they work in government, the military, or industry," Ham said.

In addition to classroom instruction, cadets toured DSU's Madison Cyber Labs (MAD Labs) and learned about the university's research capabilities, cybersecurity facilities, and academic programs.

Major Bill Blatchley, activity director for the Civil Air Patrol Cyber Academy, said the experience gives students a realistic look at cybersecurity careers while helping prepare them for future service.

"We're trying to expose them to cyber operations and cyber defense," Blatchley said. "Even if they don't ultimately pursue this field, they'll leave with knowledge that helps them better protect themselves online while building a foundation for leadership, whether that's in industry, public service, or the military."

Blatchley praised Dakota State's partnership with the academy and expressed hope that the program will continue to grow in the years ahead.

"We're happy to be here," he said. "It's an excellent facility, and we've thoroughly enjoyed meeting the DSU faculty and staff. They have taken great care of us, and we look forward to growing our relationship and expanding the program here."