GCU’s College of Engineering and Technology Rankings

Dr. Dwight Farris presented his Industry to "Academia: Attracting and Retaining Faculty" proposal at the 2024 National Institute for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Conference and Expo in Dallas, TX, June 4 – 5, 2024.

Dr. Dwight Farris was selected to present his proposal on "The Campus Shield: Strengthening Security on a Budget" at the Cybersecurity and Privacy Professionals Conference 2025 in May 2025. 

David Parker published KEEN Card #4737, Exploring Cloud Computing Concepts, to help students research, summarize and present core cloud computing concepts as they reinforce technical vocabulary.

Emmy Tomforde, who teaches thermodynamics, statics and more in the College of Engineering and Technology, is GCU's 2023 KEEN Engineering Unleashed Fellow. She was one of 30 educators honored with the fellowship by the Kern Family Foundation, recognizing her leadership in undergraduate engineering and entrepreneurial spirit. The award includes a $10,000 grant to further enhance her classroom work.^{(See disclaimer 4)} 

In April 2023, technology students wrapped up the academic year with the Technology Capstone Showcase at GCU Arena. The event featured around 70 projects, including gaming apps, self-care tools and home security systems. Organized by the College of Engineering and Technology and Career Services, the showcase highlighted the graduating seniors' yearlong capstone work to the campus community and potential employers.^{(See disclaimer 5)} 

At GCU, Dr. Kyle Jones, honored with the 2022 Campus KEEN Rising Stars award, fosters innovative thinking among his biomedical engineering students, creating an environment that promotes human flourishing. Dr. Jones emphasizes understanding end-users and the societal contexts, instilling in his students a sense of purpose and responsibility. His industry experience drives curiosity and problem-solving skills, inspiring students to tackle complex engineering challenges with a focus on societal impact. In summary, Dr. Jones is dedicated to shaping future engineers who are technically skilled, think critically, and whose engagement with the world demonstrates sound character. 

Dr. Janet Brelin-Fornari, previously the associate dean at GCU’s former College of Science, Engineering and Technology, was recognized by the prestigious Society of Women Engineers with the Distinguished Engineering Educator Award in 2020. This award recognizes women who have made substantial contributions to engineering education.^{(See disclaimer 6)}

Based on the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology: Cybersecurity degree, the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security awarded GCU the prestigious National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) designation. This designation ensures GCU meets rigorous national standards and gives university students the right to participate in virtual career fairs, places where the Air Force Civilian Service and the NSA, amongst others, recruit for employment.^{(See disclaimer 7)} 

GCU’s robotics team, Thunderbots, won the Judges Award at the 2019 VEX U Fall Tournament at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Arizona. The award recognized the team’s overall efforts and outstanding character at the tournament.^{(See disclaimer 8)}

Trevor Baines, the founder of Arcane Security, established the GCU Technology Club as a student in 2021 with Diego Briceno taking over the GCU Technology Club in 2022. By pooling their talents, these students were able to create Arcane Security as it is known today. Arcane Security is dedicated to providing reliable and affordable security consulting to businesses and people that need it most. These students achieved their goal of creating a company with innovative, transparent, accessible and flexible offerings that allow clients to have a security solution tailored to their needs.^{(See disclaimer 9)}